Kristine Schomaker

I have been thinking a lot about death lately. I work in an ER so I see it more than most. It strikes every age and is so sad when it happens. Especially for those left behind. I think about my own death.  I am not ready to die. I still have a lot to do. Some people have accepted the inevitably of death more easily than others through religion or other support/coping systems.  I haven’t accepted it yet. My family has a history of heart problems.  My dad and his dad both died

So I joined a couple of online dating sites today. I have tried these in the past but didn’t stick with them for long because I either got bored or just thought they were meat markets. Plus I was tired of being bombarded with endless emails about potential matches and none direct messages from guys. But, lately I have met several couples who originally met online and are really happy. I think online dating is just as crazy, dangerous and potentially wonderful as meeting someo

I just liked that word for some reason. It rolls off the tongue in an interesting manner. Because I’ve been busy at work all I got for ya is this obligatory sunset pic on this cold crisp day. #slider

Please join me this Sunday for the closing party of Ce n’est pas une peinture, my LEA Artist in residence installation. PJ Trenton took some wonderful photos the other day of my interview with Rowan Derryth. Check them out on Flicker… http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA15/60/115/533 If you havent had a chance to see the video Fuschia Nightfire/Nina Camplin made of the installation, check it out! #slider

Yep it’s that time again.  I still see 11:11 quite a bit. I always say thank you to whoever or whatever is watching over me.  And thank you for the life I have.  I am very lucky. I’m also listening to NPR. Love Airtalk! #slider

It was time to get a new phone. My poor  Incredible 2 was on its last legs. The touch screen was only working sometimes. I hated to change. I loved my Incredible 2 plus when I upgraded through Verizon Wireless, I had to change plans. I was on the old unlimited internet plan, now I am limited to 2 gigs. I only average 1 to 1.5 so I should be ok. But I didn’t want to change. Change always sucks. This new phone is actually quite a change. I did my research and was torn between t

Had a lovely afternoon with my friend from work.  We went to Elephant Bar where I had this amazing Margarita. Not sure what else there is to say. I think the picture is worth a thousand words! #slider

This morning I actually got a bunch of errands done. Not sure what came over me but I got it done!! Tonight I went to Chinatown and  took some great pics of a performance art piece I saw featuring Annie Sprinkle. I decided I am going to leave you with a shot I took this morning. Sometimes I forget how close I am to everything in LA. If you don’t know, that is Griffith Observatory in the distance. I love my city!!! #slider

I was trying to find a good spot to take a picture of myself to show off my new hair color. The best spot, especially for placing my camera was behind my desk in front of my art. I was all ready to talk about beauty and identity and body image etc… I set the timer on my camera and hurried to get into place. I had to lean down to move something out of the way and stood back up spontaneously putting my hands on my hips. The camera went off and this is the picture  that came of

If you didn’t know, today was Valentines Day. Yep. I know I know, how could you forget!? I don’t mind the day. While I don’t have a partner to share the day with, I have amazing friends who help spread the love. Now what I don’t like about the day is its commodification. People spend millions on items professing their love on one day. I think its more special to do this throughout the year when they least expect it. Surprises are the most exciting anyway. With that I am he

This is me, today, taken a few mins ago. I have decided to grow my hair out. I may go the extreme and grow it long. To be honest I am not sure why I am starting this new project/performance/artwork but I feel its something I have to do. It is kind of along the same lines of having an ideal avatar in Second Life. ‘If I an fighting the ideal stereotype of female representations why do I have an avatar that fits that stereotype? Why am I growing my hair out longer if I am fig

Stereotypes, judgment, criticism HAVE TO GO!!! There is no place in our society for  this. No reason AT ALL why anyone should make fun of, talk down too, snub, any other  human AT ALL!!!! This documentary is amazing!!! I highly highly recommend it!!!! #slider

I may have mentioned that when I’m at work I think A LOT! I am always writing notes on post-its and sticking them in my pockets. Here are a few from today. I overheard a person talking about how someone will probably get the million dollar reward for helping find the cop-killer in LA. This person sounded jealous. All I could think was how sad. Money is nothing. Life is everything! I so wish I wasn’t dependent on money. I have completely lost any value associated with it. A

Do you ever get asked what you’re up to and normally you say, “not much?” Happens to me A LOT!! LOL Is it habit? Just something nice and considerate? Maybe I just don’t want to get into what’s REALLY going on? Maybe I am standing outside looking at this view and someone asks what I’m looking at. I reply, “not much.” In actuality ‘not much’ is a beautiful view of the sun at 430 in the afternoon. It’s especially nice standing in the perfect spot feeling it hit my face and war

I was invited to create a piece of art for the One Billion Rising event in Second Life that is being held on Valentines Day. I decided to create a smaller version or Ce n’est pas une peinture. Here is a sneak peak! Check out the amazing video that was created for the event too. #slider

There is a great comic called Garfield minus Garfield where Garfield is erased from all the scenes. What you have left is John going through this existential crisis of life. It is pretty hilarious yet brilliant in its content. When I think of my work I often ask my self, who is the artist here? Who is the art? Is Gracie creating me? Or am I creating Gracie? What would happen if I disappeared and let Gracie lead her own life? What would Gracie do? Hmmmmmm When I think of the s

Now the other day when I said I had  an alter ego, I hope you guys didn’t run away screaming or laughing. People get scared when you start talking about stuff like this. I believe we all have alter-ego’s. We all have those characters that sit on our shoulders right? The id and ego? Those parts of us that tell us this is right or wrong, fun or scary, that support us or kick us in the butt when we need it. How many of you talk to yourselves? Gracie Kendal is a part of me that I

Yea. What happened to the daylight? I’m at work and this is the first time I’ve had a chance to get outside. I was looking forward to seeing the cloudy gray skies. Ummmmmm no. It’s pitch black. I looked at the clock and realized its 740pm. Oops where did the day go??!!! Back to work. Why can’t I have Gracie’s life??? LOL #slider

Many of you know that I have an alter ego, Gracie Kendal. (Ok, if you didn’t know, you do now!) Over the past 6 years she has been a huge part of my life. She entered my life when I was struggling and suffocating. With her help, I finished my Masters degree (In fact it was about her) and have become the woman I am today. I have also started to tell Gracie’s story through art in the way of performance, photos and painting. If you are curious about Gracie, you can read more abo

When I was a little girl (hmmm that sounds like the beginning of a song) I couldn’t do cartwheels or hand stands. I was kinda uncoordinated and while I did try, I had that awkward knee bending stance. I dreaded gymnastics in school. I dreaded P.E. period. I was  not a good runner, always walking and being the last to finish a mile. I was thin at that time too, so it didn’t have anything to do with being overweight. Although I probably thought I was fat. I don’t know what I wa