Sunday Sketches and the effects of my classes...



Lolita, the Sexy Salsa Senorita



Wow, I feel like I have had a break through!  I am looking at things with a more artful eye!!!!  Thanks to Lisa Wright's course and Natasha May's class!!!  Funny, my husband and I went to our local minor league baseball teams game the other night.  I didn't take my purse so didn't have my camera.  Normally I am a people watcher so there was nothing new with all my commentary about the roving fans BUT as I watched this mom come down the steps with her 3 kids....my art side took over (a moment, seriously I was conscious of).  They were all so beautiful, definitely hispanic as they were speaking in their native language.  I couldn't stop watching them and wondering how terrific they would be to paint.  My mind went from serious portrait type views to Natasha's Cotton Candy type views...I had colors running through my head, it was exhilerating!  So the next day, I just started a Sexy Salsa Cotton Candy Girl in one of my journals.  This page has had a brush cleaned off on it so some red paint but wow, what could be better for Lolita, the Salsa Senorita!!!  I hope this doesn't sound cocky but I love her!  Now if I can complete the vision when I add the color - not wrecking her!  Only using yellow, orange and red - except for her fleshtone which I need to do some mixing and testing before applying!  Patience I must tell myself!!!!

Natasha had also posted on her blog about blind drawings...so I did some cupcakes.  If you follow me at all you know that cupcakes are a ritual with my grandkids!   Had to try the blind drawings.  I was surprised at how accurate they came out.  I started to add some marker as I was going to color them BUT instead have decided to take the journal with us to the lake today....putting my watercolor crayons in the cooler (they are predicting 91 degrees) and will fill them in while picnicing by Lake Michigan!!!  I figure I will use the lake water and I am sure plenty of sand will get in on the action so I can post my completed page with Lisa's Messy Book group. 



what a fun way to combine the three groups I am currently working in.  All are changing my ability to see.

On a serious note, my heart goes out to Lisa as she has had a family member pass.  Please send  your positive thoughts and prayers her way.  My son, is still in the hospital, pain somewhat controlled but we are still seeking answers...trying to rule out the ugly disease of chrone's (although there are things much worse than that).  Trying to keep his (and his wife's) frustration of the unknown subdued.  Not always good to have a serious medical issue on a long holiday weekend.

And, of course, I could not let this weekend pass without giving thanks to all those men, women, and families that have and do sacrifice for our country's freedom!!! REMEMBERING THOSE WE'VE LOST AND HONORING THOSE THAT ARE SERVING!!!!  GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!   I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday weekend!!!

Thank you to Alexandra for hosting Sunday Sketches and please be sure to visit all the wonderful artists' that participate.

cheers, dana

make art, make friends - share art, share souls

Cotton Candy Girl #2

Well, I had alot of trouble with this one...doesn't look anything like the lesson instructed BUT...I like her.  I learned alot in doing her - especially in the fact that I just didn't bail on her.  It was a very good learning experience.  Thanks to Natasha's complete instructions - video and pdf - I am able to go back and revisit each step.  Doesn't mean I can do it BUT again, I can try.  So, she is alittle askew but fun loving.  If you haven't checked out the Cotton Candy Girl class - seriously, you should!!!!

Cotton Candy Girl #2

Check Natasha's blog post for today...I am going to try blind drawing cupcakes!!!!  Not entering the challenge...to many things going on with this class and Lisa's Wright Brain e-course...but I love cupcakes and art so off to the drawing board!!!!

Will also be sharing this with Paint Party Friday...I haven't been able to visit in awhile so please check it out!!!!  Hosted by Kristin and Eva!!!  every Friday with a featured artist (Lisa was featured a couple weeks ago - revisit the posting!).

cheers, dana

make art, make friends - share art, share souls

busy busy - learning learning

So, this is my second week trying to handle two online classes - work - and continue to run.  I am working on my second Cotton Candy Girl...even though we have started week 3!  oy.  and have finished my first two assignments with Lisa's Wright Brain e-course class!  OY, again, my brain.... it is all good.  Learning alot about myself!  Well, stuff I knew but have never put down on paper.  I know both of these classes are going to help me free up and be able to paint better!!!!!!!!!!!
So, some insight to Lisa's class:  my post in class today:

Yes, I am late too... this started in one direction and became somewhat of a self-soul portrait.  I too feel like I am two people...Normal looking and confident YET the artist side wants to be bold and dress weird (or artsy) and fly AND won't.  My mind has this person all the time...I feel like I could play dress up and I would paint better.  I invision creating...dreamily on my deck, sipping wine and just without effort painting beautiful scenes that I truly see and feel.  Yet, I only tend to copy work of others...my few emotional self thought pieces carry so much pleasure for me when I look at them...in my mind I am doing that type of work all the time.  I see beyond the obvious, my palette is filled with the most beautiful colors, my brush flows across the paper... I am in my happy place, my zenful place...it is like being on my bike and riding thru the beautiful country side with the rest of the world not interfering.

Both classes are worth the time and effort - please click on my sidebar and check them out if you are looking to expand your comfort zone!!!!!!!!

cheers, dana

make art, make friends - share art, share souls

Happy Mother's Day & WOW what a week...

So Monday I started the Cotton Candy Girls class with Natasha May.... sketched and then didn't have time until today to finish BECAUSE I worked (of course)....then yesterday ran a 10k ( my first in over 5 yrs ).  It was a blast but had to be there early so left my house at 4:45 a.m. - drove 75 miles - plodded 6.2 - then turned around and headed home...

Once at home, a quick shower then onto the Artist Reception at Gracie's Cafe in Williamston, MI.  The exhibit for May is "Something Red" and I had my Broken Dreams piece on exhibit!  So I met my mom there and had an INCREDIBLE lunch to celebrate Mother's Day early...  This restaurant/cafe has a menu that is over the top... the service is excellent and the art on display is nothing short of FABULOUS!!!!

So today a drive down to see my boys and their kids!!!  So another 120 mile day to add to yesterday BUT WELL WORTH IT!!!! and then locked myself into finish my 1st lesson for Natasha May's COTTON CANDY GIRLS!!!!

I absolutely did NOT think I would be able to do these whimsical girls!  Guess what - I DID IT - and love her!!!!!!!!!!!  The first is an Angel and now I must do two more so that each of my granddaughters has one!!!!!!!!!!  Click on my sidebar and come join us!!!

So today for Sunday Sketches, hosted by Alexandra!!!!  another super artist... I am sharing my CCG Angel!  Enjoy today as a mom, a daughter, sister, friend!!!  Ladys' take a bow!!!!  Tomorrow I also add Lisa Wrights e-course!!!!!!!!!!!  Click the sidebar, I am sure it will be nothing short of AMAZING!!!

CHEERS! dana

Well here I go..........and Sunday Sketches...

So, although time is a hot commodity here, I feel the need to really learn some technique!  I see paintings in my head and can't get them down on paper.  Either I don't even try because I sit and stare at paper afraid to tackle it or just smudge around with it.  The angel episode damaged my ego but I've recovered.  The second edition was well recieved but somehow it didn't feel good as I feel I let myself be taken advantage of.  I should have charged!!! 

I'm trying to let loose and get messy....

Anyways, this week I did do a page in the messy book group (see sidebar) -  I also learned alot about my watercolor crayons doing this, I hadn't really noticed how different they feel as they go down on the paper... and after I took out my aggressions on my first angel I feel freer!!   I am looking forward to starting Natasha May's Cotton Candy Girls class AND Lisa Wrights e-course!!!!!!!!!!!!  So I need to become a better time manager! Click on the sidebars to check out their information.

a work in process....

So, now onto Sunday Sketches....an inspiring place to visit each week!!!!  So much is shared, beyond the artwork!!!  I know that I will be able to produce what I invision with this owl once I have a couple weeks of Natasha and Lisa's classes in! 

cheers, dana

make art, make friends - share art, share souls

round 2 with the Angel....

Well, my WWII vet DID NOT LIKE THE ANGEL I DID, AT ALL!!!  "That is not what I asked for, I want a real map with an angel - Angels are WHITE!!!"  He was rude and it was hard to stand there and take it.  So, thank goodness for being part of Lisa Wright's Messy Book group - even though I hadn't worked in my book  yet.  I have had to work 6 days a week for a couple weeks and life has just been to busy.  But with that in mind I was able to buck up... took my angel to the sink and poured my cup of coffee out on top of it!  I  then took it outside and stomped it into the dirt. 

The trainee I was working with thought I had lost my mind.  I really didn't say anything.  Took the painting back outside and left it in the pouring rain.  As I was leaving work I ran it over a couple times and then put it in my car.  So, at the DEMANDS of my WWII vet, I redid the painting on a map with a WHITE ANGEL.  If he doesn't like this one, I am done.  I can't believe someone would be so rude when you are doing something for free.  He said all you artists' think you have the right to interpret what is being asked of you  - well heck yay, if you wanted a still life then take a photo for me to copy!!!

Anyway, here is the new version.  So my sweet 89 yr old vet has a mean streak that he didn't show when asking for me to do this and letting me know how poor he is.  Lesson learned!!!!

now, off to pour some dirt into my Accidental Mess Book so I can contribute to the group!
cheers, dana

make art, make friends (well, I guess not always) - share art, share souls