Week two of who inspires me...

Tracey Fletcher King!!!
Art and Illustrations, is what her header says...but she is sooooooo much more.  I have followed her for a few years now and there is not a post I read that doesn't elicit emotion.  Most crack me up, so honest about the reality of everyday life.  Some bring deep joy and fill my soul.  Others, bring tears of sharing her journey.  Not that I have conquered anything of the magnitude she has...be she writes in such a way that you are in her path - feeling what she is going through.  A lover of  her family, chocolate, tea and tea cups, and perfume bottles.  Her colors and composition amaze me!!!

She is a survivor - a pink warrior - an inspiration to all!

Here is a journal page sketch that I loved so much, she scanned it so that I could purchase it.  I will someday own one of her originals...I love this steam tea pot.  Tracey has a story to go with this and I have my own story that made this a must have piece.  I treasure it!
Please visit her blog and meet this amazing woman/teacher.  She is teaching Soul Food 2015...
check it out here and click on the Soul Food 2015 button on her sidebar!.

my inspiration wall

Thank you Tracey for helping me learn some very important life's lessons!  Always move forward, never give up!

Update on current projects:
This is my next piece for the ART for ALS that I am doing with my grandkids, Island Girl.  I am doing a series of faces as well as the S.E.W. go blue series!

mixed media

I used techniques that I learned from a class with Juliette Crane...BLISS.  I sooooo enjoyed her gentle way of teaching and how she creates from within.  Learned about some new supplies too, Dorland's Wax Medium and water soluble oil pastels - true love.  I will talk about her next week!

Now my first week of class with Tracy Verdugo - mind blowing!!!! I have only been working on week ones first video of three... I am taking my time.  With working full time I am not going to short change my experience by "cramming" this artful journey in - I am taking the journey.  I had so much fun making a scratched on foam print and am working to finish that exercise.  I have never done that - didn't have the scratch board so used my craft foam sheets that I have for the grandkids to cut out and paste onto different projects we make.  I have vowed to work with the supplies I have on hand!.

Can't wait to complete this lesson.  I have four prints in the works and it is mesmerizing to see them all develop.  The other artists' in the class are so inspiring and supportive of one another!  The pieces that are being shared put me in awe and motivate me to keep going!

cheers!

dana

go out and MAKE a great day

all work copyright dana strickland, sinderella's studio 2015

TODAY EMBRACING 58 years... and my ART

Hope you read my previous post about Artist Joss Rossiter, Soulbrush.  As I was about to stop painting because of a long list of reasons, oh wait, I think excuses if truth told...anyways - once again she inspired me.  A published interview with her stated that she ONLY started painting at 58... I can't give up my soul-soothing passion now!

I have followed Joss and am always inspired by her talent and humor!  I have a piece of her work, a treasured print on our living room wall!  Makes me smile each morning when I come down the steps, it is the first thing I see!  Bright colors to keep dark days away!

Joss Rossiter, Soulbrush

I hope you take a minute to click on the pic and enlarge so you can feel all that this piece offers the viewer.

So, I am back and getting my studio room organized as I start an e-course from another artist that I follow.  Tracy Verdugo.  I am sure many of you are super familiar with her name and work.  I purchased her book Paint Mojo and had signed up for her retreat in Indiana this year.  Circumstances changed and I was not going to be able to attend...I decided don't bail, sign up for the e-course!  Woot Woot, birthday gift to myself and it starts tomorrow!  Perfect timing!
My morning sketch of a Tracy Verdugo inspired elephant. . .

Tracy inspired ellie

Now a piece I am currently working on, almost done - needs to have one more layer of wax and then be mounted on aged wood!  This piece is going to be part of an ART for ALS day.  My grandkids and I are going to have an event in honor of their grandfather that passed way to early as a result of this horrible disease.  We are pumped and creating!

S.E.W. - Go Blue series, Pelican

Here is who I love to paint with most, my fellow ART for ALS contributors...from left to right...
Cameron, Landon,  Nolan, Cloee in back....and solo is the Mason man.




There is my update.  Can't wait to get the Paint Mojo going and continue creating!  I plan on each week sharing an artist that has been a soulful inspiration to me...next week Tracey Flethcer King! and more on my first week of class with Tracy Verdugo!

cheers, 
dana
copyright dana strickland, sinderella's studio 2015

I am back....

Once again inspired by my Aquarian Artist Soul sister, Joss Rossiter...  I shall begin to blog again when I turn 58!!!  To be an artists is NOT about age!

http://www.thepalettepages.com/2014/11/18/joss-rossiter/




She didn't even start painting until she was 58.  Now she sells her work all over the world.  I am a proud owner of one of her prints....

So this Friday - the 13th - I will embrace that I am 58 and an artist!

cheers,
dana