day 30: find what feels good

It's day 30 and I feel a lot of feelings!

This last day was kind of sad but very rewarding.  For the first time ever I led my own practice! Well, there wasn't much leading as it was only me, but still.  It felt really fulfilling that I could do my own thing and feel great after.  It was actually more therapeutic than when I follow someone else.  Your mind focuses on what you're going to do next or how your body feels at that moment. There's no room for the BS of your day to sneak in.

On day 30 I think it is so important that I look back and think about where I was when I started and where I am now.  I was feeling so stressed and anxious, my body felt tired, and my mind felt cluttered. Every time I practice yoga I feel lighter and happy so I knew this journey would help heal, and it did.  My mind feels happier and healthy, my body feels stronger, and I definitely feel less anxious.  All positives and I couldn't ask for more.  

There will always be stress out there and there will always be things that make you sad or angry or aggravated but what's important is to find something that can wipe all of that away, even if it is just for 20 minutes.  

Thank you so much Adriene for helping me find my center and feel good about myself once again. This was so fun and I strongly suggest participating in the challenge if you can.  Adriene is such a great teacher.  She moves at a slow, steady pace and you don't realize that you're building muscle until you're doing things you could do before. Also she is funny and weird and we would totally be besties.

K, I'm going to go eat some healthy homemade tacos now.

Be well, namaste, and FIND WHAT FEELS GOOD! 

day 14: hovering cat

In honor of the hovering cat poses in day 14 here are the kitties I've been working on!  Phoebe on the left is almost done!  I have to paint in her wallpaper and then she is complete.  Cali on the right is pretty much done. I love her pet portrait because her wallpaper was inspired by the restaurant Indochine in NYC.  Ever since I took some friends from home to Indochine I have been obsessed with that wall paper.  I love it!  And from what her owner tells me, the vibe of the restaurant really fits her personality.  Perfection! (Perrrfection... NO! that's cheesy, jk jk)

Day 14 of the 30 Days of Yoga challenge was both relaxing and challenging.  I'm finding that I really need to work on core and wrist strength.  This session touched on both. I'm excited for day 15!  It's the mid point and I want to reflect on the reasons why I started the challenge as well as my new year's resolution.

Till then!  Namaste.

pet portraits: for the plant owners

There's a gift, an illustration, and a pet for everyone!  Every Christmas for the past 2 years my assistant and I have exchanged some epic gifts (his gifts were more epic than mine).  This Christmas I decided to make it super personal.  Plants, art, and tattoos are a few of his favorite things, so I decided to hand paint his most recent tattoos on a wall hanging pot for a new cactus pet!  A friend then gave me the witty idea to paint a "pet portrait" of the little guy.  

A big thank you to Baked in Brooklyn for making my personalized gifting dreams come true!

pet portraits: duke weiner

This little guy is the most loving pug I've ever met.  While babysitting him one time I noticed he kept hopping up on the back of my couch, perched up like a cat.  Any chance he got he would crawl up on my lap and put his little chin on my knee.  When his dad came home from his travels I told him all about his quirky little behaviors and his response was "Haha! Ya, he was raised with a cat."  I couldn't control my laughter when I heard that.  Duke is definitely a special little guy. He's been by my best gay's side for 8 years.  I was so excited when his partner asked me to do this piece for him.  And yes.... that's a Gucci paisley print in the background.  

Below is my process of building up this little piggy.  The first layer of paint and shadows always look a bit scary.  If you are interested in getting your own pet portrait feel free to email me at thecrabandthemoon@gmail.com!

pet portraits: stella monstarr

I watched this little kitty grow from the tiniest kitten who woke me up by snapping the hair elastics on my wrist to the most spoiled pampered cat I know.  Here is the completed illustration of the one and only Stella MonStarr.  Stella lives in Sea Bright, NJ where she sun baths by day and curls up in a bean bag by night.  

the crab + the moon is now doing custom pet portraits!  Please email us for pricing!

pet portraits: olive angelina benicula who

Olive Angelina Benicula Who, also known as Olive the Cute, is a rescue who lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  Her birth name was Betty in her days of biting rope and mild gingivitis.  She loves sports radio and her lamby.  Her mother spoils her with all organic goodies and lots of hugs.  She is a hipster pup and I am also her auntie. Who loves her very much.  You can follow her on Instagram at @olivethecute.