get real

I have come a very long way and I'm feeling all kinds of things. Most of all, grateful. 🥹

There are so many times on my journey where I could have very much died. I've had 3 NDE and I'm still here. It's crazy to me. It's crazy to me that people don't just allow themselves to feel and do the things. Keep on keeping on as they say.

5 years ago, for a few years i'd been consumed by medical trauma and a dark night that made me forget how strong i really am. I went through a period of healing and then remembering. Oh, i remembered.& It's not something you can forget once you do. Then I got my shit together and got back to work...

am i delusional for daring to do something no one here has done before? i don't wonder, i just am, i just do. i am serving my function.

that being said, i'm also happy to have my art away from that marketplace. my work should have its own space.

I can't wait to share my works and create a space where people can find peace, even for a little bit, and make things that make them happy. People need more joy. Shit is fucked. We should enjoy ourselves.

and you're probably thinking 'wow mel, isn't it a very risky time to be starting such an endeavor when the country seems hell bent on making your city testing grounds for violent invasion?' Well guess what bitch. Joy and Love are our resistance. I'm the type of bitch to do crazy shit to make a point

"AYO, WE GONNA NEED YOU TO PULL UP TO D DOCK" "D WHAT?!" "DEEZ NUTZ! HAH" (I'm full of excited/anxious energy and it's making me stupid. I can't believe prge is next week...aaaahhhhhhh i have so much work to dooooooooo)

I wish organic reach weren't dead online so everyone could see this really cool shit I'm up to. We'll start scheduling appointments as soon as I get approval. Who knows, maybe we'll schedule so many that all questions to myself dissolve. I want to be so in life and busy that i don't have time 4worry

also, it seems very portland to name it that. haha u said box

Even tho i got the bigger unit, I still think "Pixel Box" is a better name than "Rainbow Roads". I know nintendo a lil cray cray

a raccoon is sitting on the ground with its hands folded in prayer and a caption that says `` all according to plan ... '' ALT: a raccoon is sitting on the ground with its hands folded in prayer and a caption that says `` all according to plan ... ''

YUH

kermit the frog is dancing on a stage with a red curtain behind him . ALT: kermit the frog is dancing on a stage with a red curtain behind him .

I APPLIED AND AM WAITING ON APPROVAL. MY SOLO GALLERY OPENS IN NOVEMBER OOOOOOOOOO

Ubering to potential gallery space, the larger spot's opening

Observations Observations by Mel Paradise

A reminder to check out my sweet #mushroom finds on #iNaturalist - www.inaturalist.org/observations...

🥲i'd still ride into the sunset with bass daddy even tho he probably all hat no horse 😆

honestly some of their best work lol

Finished with the first call list. is 80+ shops. That's just Oregon and that's just gifty type shops. I've got like 4 more lists to make. bweheheheh...but not tonight. I'm going to get ice cream.

This will be my 13th year at Retro Gaming Expo. When will it be enough? lol (probably after this one if we want to be real about it)

it blows my mind

The more research I do, the more I realize how bizarre it is that I've been able to do this consistently for so long. A lot of artist spaces have come and gone in the time I've been here. It's interesting perspective.

funniest found shop name of the day goes to; Le'Stuff

Bwahaha I was doing research for the oregon shops or whatever and I was looking at a map and Oregon has some weird ass town names. I saw "Sumblimity Stayton" (2 towns that are close) and thought "that's a stupid name, sounds like a cowboy villain or something, what's the story? haha"

i heard him an bezos suck each other off

i had my avatar for breakfast

🫠trying to get some stuff down from shelf...thinking 'i am so short' 😭i have to get a step ladder every time.

As someone who studies mushrooms, I'm always tickled by lazy artists who draw mushrooms in places they don't grow. Like since when does an amanita grow out the side of tree? Also, i can't think of a single bonnet mushroom that has spots like an amanita. You know, that's not the only mushroom, right?

bruh, why would you pay $5 for processed shitty hashbrowns when you can buy an entire bag of mini potatoes for like $3 and cook them way better? HUH?

So far I've prepped/cooked just in the last hour or so; mixed berries medley for breakfast waffles, baked figs, made sweet omelette eggs, grilled onions, grilled tofu, and now boiling a shit ton of potatoes. Let's goooooooooooooooooo

☠️food prep taking forever. I'm doing loaded rice bowls and pasta this week. I used to work in restaurant industry so I'm not a big fan of cooking, not for me, especially not for dudes. I'd cook for my fam if they asked, but that's about it. Getting into a groove now because i value my hot bod.