paint party friday

Anxiously awaiting Tracy Verdugo's book on Painting Mojo.  I am fasinated with her intuitive painting.  In following her blog & facebook postings from retreat participants, I think I am getting an understanding.  It is time to get my head out of the dark & my brushes out if their cupholders into my hands! CHEERS, dana

Celebrating Life with Tracey Fletcher King

Today we in blogland are celebrating a true friend, Tracey Fletcher King !!!

An artist and courageous woman who shares her talent and soul with many of us around the world! Tracey's artwork always makes me smile. Intense colors with soft subjects of everyday life. The contrast makes her paintings pop off the page. Her stories that go with her work make you think and many times laugh.

She shares her world and somehow it makes mine better!

Here's to health and happiness - many more cups of tea to be shared!!! Thanks for reminding me to look after myself! and not to be afraid to put paint on the paper!

Much love, prayers and cheers!

gettin my mammogram!

dana

sharing across the pond. . .

for that matter, around the world!  That is what I love about this artful blogging community.  For the last five years I have been learning about blogging and working on my art interests.  Sometimes I have obsessively blogged and then been MIA countless times.  Whether I am consistent or not this community still encourages and supports.  I wish the world could be like that!  Just imagine if everyone was supportive and encouraging...makes you wonder.

Anyways, in my meetings of artists', Joss has been a cosmic bond.  We share the same birth month - we are Aquarians (that does explain alot).  We are both mature - well, numerically anyway.  AND we both have a love of art.  She is an accomplished artist - showing and selling her passionate pieces of her soul.  Which leads us to the name of her blog, Soulbrush!

I am fortunate enough to have a piece of her work!  I am in search for the perfect frame!

She also has shared a piece of her spirit with me when my spirits were down and needed a hug.  So I wanted to say thank you and celebrate her new studio with some light!  Sent it across the waters to let her know that she reaches many!

your soul and your brush reach across the pond

cheers, dana
life is short, make sure you LIVE it!

all works copyright dana strickland/sinderella's studio 2013

Under the Sea swap complete!

Clare Lloyd received the tags I sent for my part in the swap.  So I will share them with you now!

I had "chicken of the sea" - a fortune telling mermaid and swimmers!  These were really fun to do!

                         this was an extra chicken of the sea I did...I was cracking myself up!!!!
For any of you that aren't in the states, chicken of the sea is a brand of canned tuna here.

Not much but hope it makes you smile.  Thanks to Kirstin McCulloch for hosting the tag swap!!!

Also sending a piece across the pond to Soulbrush! So, once it has arrived I will share!

cheers, dana
life is short, make sure you LIVE it!

copyright 2013 dana strickland - sinderella's studio

Yep, I am still alive!!!

Received my Under the Sea art tag today!!!!  It is soooooooooooo me!  It is funny how cosmic the art-blogland is!  People and art that are worlds away and have no knowledge of you send art that is YOU!!  I am always in amazement each time this happens.

I signed on with Kirstin McCulloch's art tag swap - Kirstin's Big Eyed girls are a favorite of mine. As I said, themed: Under the Sea.  I who love the ocean could not resist.
Kirsten paired me up to receive from Lillian Mederak.  COSMICALLY SPOOKY!!!  Lillian does an art retreat every year in the Keys!!!  Anyone that has read my blog knows I am a Key West loving girl!!!!  So how crazy I get to receive something from an artist that lives in Canadian but retreats in the Florida Keys every year. More cosmic.  I love green.  Now green is a color you either like or don't.  It is not usually an in-between color.  So my tag is SOOOOOOOOOO me - My fantasy Key West self.  The words Lillian has applied to the tag - I am sure are about her but seriously...it's me too.
"Have I dreamt I am a Mermaid -or- Am I a Mermaid dreaming I am Me?"
does it get any better???!!!  I think not.  The tag is absolutely a treasure!  Thank you Lillian!

My tags are off to the UK...I posted them five days late but they are well on their way.  I shall share them once I know that Clare Lloyd has received them.  Hope she enjoys opening her package as much as I have enjoyed mine!

I posted 2 weeks ago my side trip to Lake Michigan to help get me in the mood to create!  I did a sketch in my journal and worked a bit on it while floating and basking in the sun.  I finished the page and need to go back to do another.

cheers, dana
life is short, make sure you LIVE it!

all works copyright dana strickland, sinderella's studio 2013

water time on Tuesday

I am participating in an art tag swap and the theme is "under the sea".  For inspiration I went to the shores of Lake Michigan yesterday and floated about.  I had a bag of random art stuff along with a journal.  Packed a sandwich and my floaty.    Plopped my butt in the sand, took out my journal, dug through my bag to find out my tools were really random!  oh well, it is an adventure day anyway!  Just did a little sketch - then went out and bobbed around in the water for quite awhile - just soaking up the day!  Came back to my journal - added some colored pencil then some watercolor - using lake water, of course.

I am going to keep going with this - too much fun to just leave as is...then onto my tag project.

So as I was leaving town to head home...I had to get a photo of this incredible house...it is THE perfect Practical Magic house!  Don't you agree???

Once at home the sun was shining through the most beautiful spider web.  A day filled with beauty and inspiration!

cheers, dana

live is short, make sure you LIVE it

all work copyright Sinderella's Studio/ dana strickland 2013

merry monday

no art just planning a day on the shores of Lake Michigan tomorrow.  Just me = some paints, crayons and a journal!  will share my day on Wednesdy!
cheers, dana
life is short, make sure you LIVE it

dark spaces are not always friendly places...

darkness

Guilt cast a dark shadow.
Sorrow draws the dark curtains closed.
Strength pulls the blinds back open.
Faith restores what I need to know.
Courage lets me step forward.
Love restores my drive.
Teach so others may be inspired.
Share your lessons & the you - you know!

soul prayer - white light, white light, white light


                                                   
 time to remove the weeds from my mind:

I watched The Secret of the Wings, totally by accident, my grandkids weren't even here...it's amazing how fairies make life seem so much nicer!  Time to get my glitter back on!!!

glitter

cheers, dana

Liberate Your Art Swap 2013

Once again it was a joy to go to the mailbox each day in anticipation of receiving MORE ART!!!  Thanks to Kat Sloma for hosting such an awesome event!  This is my second year participating and I am looking forward to 2014 already.  Thinking - first year I did separate postcards of original artwork; this year a favorite photograph I took out my kitchen window.... humm - time to think and create to see what 2014 brings!

2013 Liberate Your Art

Each card came with special hidden meanings attached.  The first card was from Jo in New Zealand!  Oddly, my step-daughter was in New Zealand at that very same time.  In fact, when I first saw the card I thought it was from her.  Isn't that cosmic!  The scene is sooooooooo peaceful and Jaimie (said daughter) says the entire countryside is just like that - peaceful and beautiful.  Next came the beautiful photograph of a felted art piece by Caroyn, all the way from the UK - I love the water and felt the wash of the ocean as I held her piece.  love it!  Then  a soulful flower from Cindy in Phoenix, AZ.  I had been trying to find some flowers to photograph up close and personal for a painting - wha-lah - got it!  I am not sure if it is pollen dew or fairy glitter on the flower but love its softness!  From Amanda - and at this moment I don't know from where (again I procrastinated in contacting her to thank her for this wonderful piece), the island of Paradise.  Now, for any of you that visit regularly you know I am an island girl!!!  Key West is my personal paradise and I so hope to someday live there on a houseboat!  This card could not be more perfect for me!  Then a bouquet of tulips to light up my day!  These are from Deb - also from AZ, Chandler.  I see that she is just returning from what looks like an incredible trip to England!  Anyways the cosmic connection here besides my love of flowers is the name of her blog:  paperturtle!  I love love love turtles...I try to photograph them, watch them and had a small collection at one time.  They just mesmerize me!  So, double bonus!  Then, of course the serenity of Kat's postcard.... It is like meditating when you look into it!  absolutely LOVELY!

This is the postcard I sent out, he is a critter that visits our bird feeder on a regular basis - he just cracks me up!  I hope it made the recipients smile too!

The quote on the back is:  Life is short, make sure you LIVE it!  That is my mantra for this year and I close each post with it!

http://kateyestudio.com/2013/05/liberate-your-art-2013-blog-hop.html

cheers and enjoy the hop!  Thanks Kat!

dana

Sunday Sketches and no time...

My schedule allows little time for really creating.  I am a morning person so it is work out or create...currently on the workout path, so when can I art?  I've been taking a paper journal with me everyday now, grabbing my plain #2 pencil and making sure art is part of EVERYDAY!  I have given myself permission to just play - it is not about creating a masterpiece - it is just thinking about it and putting pencil to paper.  No real supplies just something to keep me growing.  It doesn't matter that I am not following a lesson or perfecting a technique - it is about the DOING!  So, crayons highlighters whatever is there - using it and smiling the whole time because NO PRESSURE!

My little bird of mixed whatever was on hand where I was at!  Color therapy - art therapy - call it what you want but it makes you smile!

My alter ego?????

Thanks to Alexandra for hosting Sunday Sketches!!!!  It is always fun to get up, grab a cup of coffee and explore on Sunday mornings!

cheers, dana
life is short, make sure you LIVE it

Liberate Your Art postcard swap 2013...

Is underway and I have received my first postcard...all the way from New Zealand!  It is a beautiful pic of the true essence of the country I believe.  NATURE!  Ironically, Mark's daughter is in New Zealand right now hiking and touring the country.  She just completed a 3 week clinical and is taking the country in for 2 more weeks.  I posted the card I received on FB and Jaimie (daughter) sent back - that it looked like where she was at that very time.  I can't wait for her return home so we can figure out if it is indeed someplace she visited.

www.joslittlepictures.wordpress.com

Thanks Jo, I loved the pic and your note!  Love liberation of art all around the globe.

Thanks to Kat for hosting the swap again this year.  This is my second time participating and it is so exciting to go to the mailbox to see what treasure has arrived!

Speaking of postcards,  Robin Panzer has share info that I'd like to pass along...
The Post Card Project - Angie
1920 Centerville Turnpike #117-199
Virginia Beach, VA 23464

Send post cards that Angie, a young cancer patient, will share with her fellow hospital mates...let's help put some smiles into the day for these kids.  Here is my packet that I will be sending:

don't ask why it won't post up the right way - so sorry you'll have to view sideways, but you get the idea!  Hope you can join in the fun!
https://www.facebook.com/CHKD.Postcard.Project?fref=ts





cheers, dana
life is short - make sure you LIVE it

sketch everyday!

South African Woman...in the shadows!

photo from a friends visit to South Africa.

cheers, dana
life is short - make sure you LIVE it!

photo copyright Sally Spedoske 2012

still alive....

Yes, I am still here and now have some time to breath.  I have spent the last few weeks preparing for a Surprise birthday party for my parents.  My dad turned 80 and my mom 79,  their birthdays are on the same day.  They have been divorced for decades but for the last 15 or so years we have been able to celebrate together.  It turned out perfect!  I can't believe it worked out so well.  I only forgot a few minor things to take to the hall as part of the decorations so I was pretty pleased with myself.  I really organized my plan and actually followed my plan - wow - amazing for me.

Don't they look great!!!!  One of my brother's surprised them coming from Florida - they had no idea he was coming to town.  It was just awesome for them!!!

So now that I have had a week to kind of relax - well still going to work everyday so - just deciding to pick up my pencil and whatever notebook or paper is at hand to make myself DRAW...do art everyday in some way!  Keep my spirit soaring!  So here is the last two days of just scrubbin' on the paper!

working on cows for a project I have planned...and then Ray the Cardinal - one of my go to drawings to make me smile!!!!

Will be posting Wednesday regarding the Liberate your Art postcard swap...received my first one and love it!

Thanks to Alexandra for hosting Sunday Sketches and all the inspiring artists' that participate!  You all keep me believing!!!

cheers, dana

Life is short, make sure you LIVE it!

Monday moments...

Well, I am obsessed with a new artist I found.  Irina Rumyantseva, her work is just incredible.  I have been planning a painting with a cow for my step-daughters graduation gift.  In May she graduates from Michigan State University's Vet School as a Specialist in Cows.  There is a more technical term but I don't know what it is.  So I have been collecting some photos and have a photo date planned at a local farm.  I need some up close and personal cow shots.  While this has been my plan for the last year, of course, now I am down to the wire.  Then I discover Irina!  She paints alot of cows.  Hers are amazing and soooooooo captivating.

As practice this weekend I copied her cow for a sketch but then added traditional cow markings to it.  It was great fun and a good ice-breaker to get me to move forward on this project.

She is having a drawing for one of her paintings....I keep sharing her on FB hoping my name is drawn from the hat!

Here is my sketch!

my Irina adapted cow!  my photo didn't come out great but you get the idea.  So more cows to follow until I get the one I need for the gift I am creating.



Thanks to Irina for her inspiration and all the artists' I follow!


cheers, dana
life is short, make sure you LIVE it!

SUNDAY SKETCHES & PAY IT FORWARD ART

Last year I participated in a pay it forward project.  You sent something that had to be home-made... didn't matter if it was art, or food, or clothing.  I received a beautiful package and I had sent out a hand-knitted headband with felted flower to my recipient.  Soooooooooo, when my artist friend Mark Doepker posted a pay it forward art project I immediately signed up!

I posted on my FB page as instructed and a friend signed up.  Chrissy (my now recipient) and her husband Tony took a long awaited honeymoon this past December.  They went to my favorite place, Key West.  I knew right away that whatever I did would have some Key West in it.  My muse took over and the perfect image came to mind.  I have hundreds of rooster pics from our trips to Key West.  The symbol of the island. I had a special rooster I photographed from this last trip and wanted to use him.  The painting had to be bright as that is how the island is!

I drew my picture and then set to work.  I used watersoluble Caran D'Ache wax pastels ( love how these feel - like you are spreading butter) for the blue background - mixing blue turquoise with cobalt blue.  Outlined the KW with black acrylic paint - sharpied in my writing within the KW.  Everything I put in there is symbolic of the island - had to include Captain Tony's for obvious reasons - and then included honeymoon Dec. 2012.  I used watercolors -  orange and yellow to fill in the letters and wow everything was popping - just like I had it in my head.  I was afraid to complete the rooster for fear of wrecking the whole painting. (things don't usually come out like they are in my head)

used dark brown for matting instead of black, it really made a difference

After a couple days of staring at it...I sucked it up and put the brush to paper.  I completed the rooster using watercolors and then sharpie for some definition and a little white gel pen for some pop.  I hope Chrissy and Tony love this as much as I do.

a raw rough frame captures the island flavor

Thanks to Alexandra for hosting Sunday Sketches - now to finish my labels for the postcard swap!

cheers, dana
May the luck of the Irish be with you today and always!

It is still Sunday & Sunday Sketches...

Okay it is late but it has been a crazy week, as always, and it's still Sunday! So Sunday Sketches!!!

Here is my sketch for a pay it forward art project!  Can't wait to start the painting!
thanks to Alexandra for making Sunday even more magical!

cheers,dana
life is short, make sure you LIVE it!

copyright dana strickland/sinderella;s studio 2013

FINALLY... THE BEAK

the beak in all its glory

journal page

I can't believe it has taken 6 days of trying to post 2 pics.  One I got to work Monday and this morning after several attempts... here is the full look at my journal.  Man, I need help with this computer.  I can't tell if it's me or it!  Okay,  talked with AT&T tech support, it is a combo....asked them to come over and give me lessons BUT tech support is in India.  So much for what I thought was still an American Company.

I want to share another artist's finished work that she too has had hanging around to complete and did!  If you have followed me for anytime at all you know I have a quilting artist friend, Joy!  For my birthday she gave me the most incredible quilt.  It is sooooooooooo me!  She had found these fabrics a few years ago and I had asked her to make me a quilt.  So - it took awhile as things worth waiting for always do- and she depicted me perfectly!  This quilt is Dana all the way through.  I will treasure this forever!

Click on it to enlarge so you can see the stitching.  People on the beach having fun in the sun.  No, I don't do bikinis on the beach but I am all about the Florida Keys!  Margarita's in the sand and pink flamingos!

Sharing with Paint Party Friday - it's been awhile and not much painting here lately but I am trying to get back in the groove!!!  I love browsing through all the incredible work here whether I have participated or not!  Thanks to Eva and Kristin for keeping it all going on!!!!



cheers, dana

life is short, make sure you LIVE it

all works copyright dana strickland/sinderella's studio 2013

Sunday Sketches and some Paint on my brushes

wow - it seems so long ago that I actually had my first love in paints - watercolors - out!  Some of my blogland friends are participating in 10 paintings in 10 days...I would love too BUT know myself well enough to know better!  I would just get frustrated and feel badly about not getting the task done.  My schedule really doesn't work well for such a commitment.  I decided to maybe try to dabble for 10 days - get some unfinished business taken care of!  So first up, a journal page (http://sinderella-studio.blogspot.com/2012/06/ss-and-dont-miss-moment.html ) I started while taking an e-course with Lisa Wright!  She posted a parrot named Rodney ( of course, I can't find the original photo she showed us) but I had started this painting in my moleskin journal without completing it so........................ today.................RODNEY!

watercolors and sharpie marker

I did the other page also as I was fasinated with the original picture focusing in on his beak!  I am unable to download the pic for whatever reason.  I have had to shut down my computer and spent 2 days trying to get Rodney's pic up.  Missed Sunday Sketches altogether.  FRUSTRATED!!!!

Hopefully will get figured out.  I am some great stuff to share from artists' friends!!!! 

cheers, dana
life is short, make sure you LIVE it!

all rights reserved dana strickland/sinderella's studio

Sunday Sketches and oh so much more...

I love blogland, I meet the most incredible people.  Please take time to read this post, http://jezartjournal.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-bravest-person-i-know.html -
We all need to be alittle more self-less!!!!  Do be thankful and remember to give to others.  Be inspired and give inspiration.

Simple sketch today.  Started working on my ideas for a canvas that my granddaughters have asked for to hang in their room... is there any greater compliment?  They are 7 and 9 1/2!  pencil on tracing paper.

dancing divas'

Thank you to Jez and Carol for reminding me to stop and smell the flowers.  Thanks to Alexandra for hosting such a place to meet!  Sometimes I feel like I am at that coffee house with her and all the Sunday artists'.

cheers, dana
live is short, make sure you LIVE it

Sunday Sketches and more from Ivan

Just a journal page... hope to be doing a canvas soon.  I have a painting to do for my granddaughters room and I am trying to muster up the courage to tackle my vision!

I shared the kids books, The one and only Ivan with you in my last post. http://sinderella-studio.blogspot.com/2013/01/yep-i-am-still-alive.html   I think I shall be sharing Ivan's wisdom with you all year.  I believe we all need a little more common sense and humility, kindness would be beneficial too.  Oh, and  less "what's in it for me" would help the world too!  Okay, off my soap box.  Words to think about:
"Humans speak too much.  They chatter like chimps, crowding the world with their noise even when they have nothing to say."  Ivan, the one and only, by Katherine Applegate.  I now look at people spouting negativity and gossip with chimp faces!  I smile and walk away, instead of becoming angry and frustrated.

An artist earlier this year, Joss of  http://soulbrush.blogspot.co.uk,  asked what would your one word be for 2013.  At the time I answered in two words, duct tape.  I happen to be very opinionated and direct  (a bad combo).  So when people ask me what I think - I tell them.  Knowing me I don't know why they ask if they don't want to hear my answer.  They know I will tell them.  So, I chose duct tape.  It is to remind me to process and not really answer.  I then later added glitter!  Because if I take a deep breath and roll my head - then say GLITTER.  I smile and tend to not need the duct tape.  So far I have found these words very useful.  So, you may want to try finding words for yourself!

I pick up Ivan's book and also look at the cover often - helps me to remember there is a soft side to world and we need more of it!  Quiet is good, there doesn't always have to be noise.  What color is your quiet?

Thanks for letting me chatter, hopefully not like a chimp, and stopping by!  Please be sure to visit all the fabulous thoughts and work at Sunday Sketches hosted by Alexandra!

cheers, dana
life is short, make sure you LIVE it

YEP, I AM STILL ALIVE...

Too much to explain as to my absence so I won't.  I think I have things in order to give some consistency to my poor little blog.  I miss soooooooooooo much all the friends, encouragement and inspiration I get when visiting! 
So. for 2013 here is how I will start:
I purchased a book for one of our grandson's, Jackson.  He just turned 9 before Christmas.  The book is, I am the One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Patricia Castelao.  It was a recommended book by the stores staff in the 8 - 12 yr old section.  As Jackson is an excellent reader and loves elephants (there was a baby elephant with a gorilla on the cover) I decided to pick it up.  I got home and read the first few pages just to get a sense of it and found myself totally submerged in the pages!  I read the whole book, laughing and crying all the way through.  EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK.   I am buying a copy for all of our childrens' households.  The lessons in this book are wonderful!

My quote today that I am sharing - food for thought as we live in this choatic world is:

"Humans waste words.  They toss them like banana peels and leave them to rot.  Everyone knows the peels are the best part."

Seriously, think about that!

Sharing my reading inspired sock monkey - mainly painted with my fingers!!!!  It was liberating to just dip and paint like Ivan!

I love books!!!!  Be a reader!!!!

Have a great day and rest of the week.  Life is short, make sure you LIVE it!!!!
cheers, dana

all work copyright Sinderella's Studio/dana strickland 2013