something spooky - halloween makeup ideas

i love HALLOWEEN! the actress in me particularly loves getting the opportunity to be an entirely different character than yourself for a whole day (sometimes a whole weekend). this year, as per usual, i got really into it. early. i've been admiring the autumn beauty outdoors, making crafts, and watching spooky movies and feeling incredibly inspired by it all. i would never deny myself the opportunity to act on such inspiration, so below are two makeup-costume looks to help share the good freaky vibes with you all! 

first: my take on Tim Burton's lady vampire in Dark Shadows (if you're a Tim Burton fan, or just a fan of fun i highly recommend this movie).

second: a simplified (meaning i only used 3 products and this only took about 10 minutes) Sugar Skull look a la dia de los muertos. this look was extremely easy and fun to do, so its a great idea for those very last-minute-on-your-way-out-the-door costume creators (i know who you are because i am you).

hope you enjoy and get some great ideas of your own!

something to be inspired by - Jim the Skull Artist

his site here, with his amazing array of skeletal artwork

something sunny - july!

film photos all taken with a diana mini and anonymous, peculiar japanese film.

all images copyright Opal Retzer.

something instantly gratifying - OpticallyInclined on Instagram

My everyday sketches show my love for ink on the wondrously fun Instagram! :) Such a great place to make a person see the beauty in the everyday and for the artist in all of us to speak with images as opposed to comments and statuses.

something i made - art cards by Opal

ink + stamps, recycled paper, sparkles. copyright Opal Retzer.

hello, Blogger. it's been a while. i still love you, i think about you all the time. life's been busy but rather than rehash all that's been i'm just gonna dive right back in to this blog with all that is present and happening now! above is an example of something i truly love to do but have not yet shared with the internet world: handmade cards. the process alone of making one (or ten) fills me with so much joy and love i could do it from sunrise to sunset. those feelings increase ten-fold when i get to give the card to the intended person and watch their eyes light up at the unexpected delight of a) being thought of and b) receiving something one of a kind made by hand. i hope this post inspires you to make a card instead of buying one the next time a birthday or special occasion arises! happy creating :)

left: a thank you card i made for my art teacher at the end of classes. right: a welcome home card created for my best friend :)

something more than visual - the connection by Opal Retzer

to new audiences: I have flickr!

"the connection" - digital double exposure. copyright Opal Retzer.

something classic - substitute by The Who

"substitute! your lies for facts" - click for the music vid