PPF and more on our vacation...

I was so happy that I actually took out my journal on this trip... I always say I am going to paint or sketch or or or.... when we take vacation.  We get where we are going and this feeling of intimidation sets in and I don't want anyone peeking over my shoulder because they may "judge" what I am doing.  My husband doesn't count... he is a fair critic but once in awhile hurts my feelings alittle.  He is an engineer and doesn't get some of my painting from emotions.  Anyways... since my trip to Key West in 2008 and painting freely on the streets - be it not so good - in that environment (after a couple days ) I allowed myself to go with the flow... and on occassion have forced myself to do the same thing out and about at home.  This vacation I just felt so free.... I sat out on our little porch with passerby's and just keep sketching and having fun!  One morning on the beach with Hurrican Sandy winds wiping up the ocean - put on a jacket and set out with my pencils and so it went!  FABULOUS!!!!
So along with the craziness of Key West Fantasy Fest... I sketched this bird in keeping with the spirit of the island!

Fantasy Bird of Key West

Watercolor crayons, watercolor pencils and pitt pen!  sorry this pic is so bad - too much sand in my camera lens - it died and I just couldn't get a good one on my tab.

Today is also Dia de Los Muertos!  Please remember those you've lost and celebrate them!

Thanks to Eva and Kristin for hosting such a wonderful place in our crazy world!  Paint ON!!!

cheers, dana
make art, make friends - share art, share souls

all work copyright dana strickland/sinderella's studio 2012

I am still here but life is soooo busy...

Wow, I can't believe I haven't posted in a couple of weeks....my bicycle girl is still sitting and waiting to be finished.  Last weekend we had a wedding that was a couple hours away AND we had INCREDIBLE weather SO...our first road trip on the Harley's!!!!  We left in the morning with temps in the low 60's and road into the 80's on our way to Lake Michigan!!!!  I am totally addicted to riding now!!!!  A beautiful weekend for an outdoor wedding and what a way to travel!!!!  We did 280 miles and I wish everyone could experience the ride we had!!!!

So, it was a busy week after that and I didn't have a chance to get into my art!!!  Now, for a couple days I have been looking at the bicycle cut-out and avoiding working with it....you know how you had something in your head and now you realize you aren't going to create that!  I start looking at everyone else's art and just figure I should go back to just looking not trying....hogwash!!!  I got a package in the mail that put my head back on!!!!  All the way from Belgium!!!!!

Nathalie Nayer had a giveaway on her blog and I WON!!!  Check out her blog http://nathalienayer.blogspot.com/  She is a new mom and a physician in the ICU - how does she find time and wow...her eye for color is amazing.  I love looking at her work, her sketches capture emotion in little creatures and her abstracts are again AMAZING is the only word I can think of.  I wish that my colors came together like hers - they pop and draw you in!  I try art journaling and always feel like a failure because my pages don't come out awesome...I need to keep in mind that these pages are meant to explore, vent, dream and share myself with myself!!!  So there are no critics, it is not for sale....just jump in and do it!  This book validates that and helps spark the push that I need so many times when trying to do "a painting".  So, today I have some time and AM WORKING ON MY AMERICAN GIRL!!!!  If she doesn't turn out, I will start again.... it is about the doing not masterpiecing!!!!

Thanks Nathalie and all of you that continue to inspire and encourage me!!!!

cheers, dana

make art, make friends - share art, share souls