Don't have anything posted, but I do have a pic.

Go to http://www.chelydra.com/. Scroll down to the "Dancing Turtles Folk Art" section I'm the one in the blue on the first pic.(our teacher's stage name, Chelydra, means snapping turtle in Greek!!!)

If you wait a minute the Dancing Turtles pics scroll through four performances. I've danced three of those in public, but I'm not in the other pics because they were taken before I really started showing myself in public.

As you can see from the costumes, this is a different type of "belly dance" than most people expect. It is more the traditional folk dances from Persia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Morroco, Turkey, Lebanon and Israel/Palestine regions. Some of them are many hundreds of years old.

This is great excercise - you will work muscles you didn't know you had on your belly, butt, legs, arms and hips. Anyone can do it - it is easy once you break down the moves, but challenging when you add them together. It's great girly time. And those of you who are more modest about showing your bellies in public (like me!) this dance style is still very s3xy and seductive without being quite so out there. That's what I LOVE about flamenco...very s3xy and seductive with full or mostly full coverage! Middle Eastern moves are also very adaptable, in small doses, to the disco floor!

The costumes have a lot more coverage than the dances performed in the caberets. But many of the moves are still the same. I highly recommend it to all. It will release the inner goddess that is inside trying to get out and will exponentially increase your self confidence!!! The moves makes it clear that all women are beautiful, no matter what their body shape. Look up the teachers in your area. You'll love it!

OK. Commercial's over. Back to business. (Can't help it...it changed my life and I LOVE it!)

Ready to sign up, MStanak? Our studio is right down the street from you.

SZ

Thanks SZ. Let's get this show on the road! Anyone else? Don't be shy

Nice pics!!!

Thanks.

At least we bumped it back up to the top!

SZ, that's wonderful! You're a woman after my own heart!

Anyone else? Come on you Goddesses, let's see what you got.

You know you wanna

That's great stuff and this belly-dancing is really becoming so popular.

I did this a long time ago - it's an ink sketch. Not an artist by profession obviously, but I like it. :)

http://img22.imageshack.us/i/dsc001341x.jpg/

Perhaps, I'll post up more recent works from my art class later.

Oh my TCG that is lovely. You have quite a flair. can't wait to see more of your stuff

TCG,

WOW! Yes, please post more.

My 11 year old is very interested in drawing, especially 3-d type perspective stuff. He pointed out some of the techniques you used to show perspective in this drawing when I showed him. He is amazed that these drawings can come out of someone's head with just the simple tools of pen and ink and paper.

Thanks for sharing.

SZ

Thanks, Theta and SZ. :) (blush).

My mom encouraged my drawing when I was younger but I got distracted with academics as I got older. I just started talking art classes now after graduating. Here are a few more that I did in my art class (they're all reproductions of works by famous artists as the class I am taking is now is Drawing from ancient and modern art):

I think this is the "Girl in the pearl earring" but not sure - done with charcoal and charcoal pencil - http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/9518/dsc00345fa.jpg

This is a Barucci - I think it's called "A young maiden looking down" but I could be wrong (I have to get the names/artists from the teacher) - also in charcoal, charcoal pencil and white charcoal, but on textured paper - http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/9610/dsc00347a.jpg

This is a part from a Cezanne painting - done in chalk pastels - I still need to finish it up a bit - http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/8336/dsc00349bh.jpg

Cookie-

You have talent!! If you enjoy art (in addition to being talented), definitely continue with it! Perhaps we'll read about someone purchasing one of your drawings in the future!

Kat

Hey CookieCake,
What-the-hell are you doing on here?
You s/b cwying... Have you forgotten to CRY TODAY, missy:)

Audsie
xoxox

TCG Those are amazing. If you get tired of the law office, maybe you should take up art as a profession.

Thanks for the comments, everyone. :)

Oh, SZ - I wanted to take a dance class - perhaps swing - but I am so rhythmically challenged...but I love watching it all - ballet, swing, modern...

Auds - no crying for me today - I am not even thinking of the "W" word or crying. Just bought a brand new laptop (my old one is physically falling apart - the screen is coming off from the keyboard) on a Black Friday deal - and about to start up on an in-home spa day. If only I can get myself up to go to the gym (as that's part of my in-home spa routine - sweat it out and then primp. :)

TCG,

I'll sign up for violin lessons if you sign up for a dance class! We all have our dreams.

I played when I was younger and quit. Never should have quit!

Even if you are rhythemically challenged you can dance by counting the beats. That makes it more mathematical while you are trying to learn it in muscle memory. Then after it is ingrained, you can feel the music and add the subtle tints. I was not a graceful person when I started, but it has helped develop something that I never thought I had. Try it!

SZ

PS. Your sketches are wonderful! Definitely pursue this...

Here is my latest. I did this just before Xmas. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DReXxwP-1Q

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

HOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO

Love this Theta!!!!

Is there a Chris Mr. too?

SZ

I wish SZ--I wish!