the barn....

I am pretty happy with the way the barn came out BUT know my dad will be critical that my background is not dark like the photo I shared with you last week.   How to get that hazing deep green...help...or should I just leave it bright and clean....after all this all about the roof-line of the barn.

Please let me know what you think I can do to add to this painting.  Matting will do alot to pull it in...I just keep looking at it and thinking of the Mark Mehaffey lecture I went to ...he would say this is seed catalog work...but I like it!!!
Also must share this mornings sunrise photo...it looks like the moon!

I love sitting out on the deck in the morning drinking my coffee...I love summer!!!!

Thanks to Sophia for hosting Sunday Sketches and all the wonderful art that we share each week!!!!


Also, please check back tomorrow.  I received a blog award from Marfi at Incipient Wings...she is so magically whimsical!  Anyways, I have to share 7 random things about myself - yikes - and sending the award onto 7 others! 

Remember:  make art, make friends - share art, share souls!!!

cheers, dana
now off to watch my daughter-in-law and granddaughter get baptized...and grandson's 2nd b-day!

all contents copyright dana strickland/sinderella studio

Sketch is almost done...

my dad & the Moran barn

Some years ago I did a painting for my Dad of the barn his dad and grandfather built.  About 15yrs ago my youngest son and I went with my Dad to Orlando, West Virginia (no it is not on most maps).  We had been at a family reunion in southern Pennsylvania and decided to go see where he was born.  Wow, no traffic lights, one road and a road that was flooded...in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.  We found his family property...beautiful!  The old house was gone and a mobile home was in its place but way out back was the barn! The owner was kind enough to let us walk around a bit.  It was an emotional moment for my Dad and wonderful to experience with him.  SO, I did a painting of the barn.  It wasn't all that great as I look back, no real deepth or value...my Dad complained about my roof line.  I didn't show the one side with the peak (I'm going to call it).  The photo didn't really show it either  because of the angle and the barn was pretty deteriorated.  My artistic friend, Joy, says in my dad's eyes he still sees it as a child, strong and freshly painted.  SOOOOOOOOO, I have decided to paint it as he probably remembers it and hope that this painting he likes... here are two sketches that I hope to get one to the point of transfer and start working on this week.  (I am trying not to do the whole panoramic view, bring it in and make it my own)

Hope your Sunday is filled with sunshine and your week too!  Thanks to Sophia for hosting Sunday Sketches...I just love all the work that I get to visit by being part of this day!
cheers, dana

p.s. wanted to share what I sent in the Faerie Shoe Swap...I did a paperclay (thanks Penny) shoe on canvas and some fun surprises too!

Faerie Shoe Swap...magical fun

I was lucky and got my package early!!!  Today is the day for the official completion of the FAERIE SHOE SWAP hosted by Wendy at Blissangels!!!!  What fun.  As you know my granddaughter was here last weekend SO she got to see and help with the package I was sending AND open the box from JoAnne, at Vintage Dragon Fly, that I received in the swap.  She was sooooooooooo excited.  We carefully opened the box and a beautiful vintage shoe was unveiled.  A deep creamy blue patterned shoe with lace, pearls, and two of my most favorite things...a cameo - a lovely faery resting on a fern...and a pearl beaded hatpin!!!!  How did she know I love cameo's...cosmic!!!!  Isn't it lovely!!! I have hung it over my art-table and am counting on the faery magic that comes with it to inspire my work!!!








all things I love, ticket stubs...faeries and dreams!!!



 I love JoAnne's business card...look at my blog header...again cosmic!!!  I will use all of these in future pieces of work...the faery dust shall be saved for a special occassion.  Please visit JoAnne's blog...and Wendy's....again,

this was a fun swap and I hope JoAnne enjoys her package as much as I did mine!

cheers, dana

make art, make friends - share art, share souls!

sunday sketches and one wore out Grams!!!

Well, 9 weeks of babysitting step-daughters Newfinland (huge harry) dog...2 weekends in there with multiple grandkids for the weekend (as parents had outings)...3 days of sons lab (hyper harry large) dog, a couple open houses, a wedding and my 8 yr old granddaughter here for her solo birthday visit with grams...and I am toast.  Our house is choas and I don't know where to start to put it all back together.  Carpets and furniture get cleaned Tuesday...that will make me feel better.  In the midst of all this still recovering from the Scrapfest and my solo Fl-art (flash art mob - yes, of one).  So, Cloee (granddaughter) and I did a non-stop shop, eat, art weekend.  She helped me tie up my Faerie Shoe swap project...can't show because it is not in the mail yet...still drying.  Cloee did a project of her own (with alittle help from ideas on Kristin Dudish's blog) and I did my Sunday Sketch... aren't you tired too, just from reading this??? lol  Anyways, life is short so better to be exhausted and with the ones you love than sitting on the sofa moaning about the heat!

Cloee absolutely loved going through some of the Paint Party Friday's with me ... she couldn't believe all the GREAT artwork and was amazed that grams "knows" all these artists...thanks everyone for making me look so worldly!!!!  She is excited to have her work posted on Sunday Sketches...thanks Sophia for hosting!

I will, as usual, be late getting to view everyone's work but will be hopping around later today and into the week.  Off  now to have breakfast with Great Grandpa so Cloee can spend sometime and then drop her off with her mom at church...another full speed ahead day!!!!

meeting of the minds!!!!

A journal page: coated the page with white acrylic then did sketch and used watercolor paint/pencils...sharpie markers.

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


all contents copyright 2011 dana strickland/sinderella studio

Paint Party Friday and a quick at work sketch...

Okay so I am at work and I see this lady (older) waiting at the bus stop...it is 95 and she is in her cultural clothing...I am soooooooooooo respectful of that...my mind starts to wonder...a young girl with all the world to see...what is she thinking.............

what is she thinking???

wow, what color would you have used for the yellow???  I have color combo and depth issues....I was at work so my supplies were limited.... watercolor pencils and crayons...I used q-tips instead of paint brushes... happy paint party friday...thank  you Kristin and Eva for hosting...can't wait to hop around this weekend.

cheers, dana

artsee bloggers: 1...2...3...EVERYBODY Sing!!! ♪♫♫♪♪

artsee bloggers: 1...2...3...EVERYBODY Sing!!! ♪♫♫♪♪: "This should definitely be our theme song here at artsee bloggers! Music video for Tanya Davis' song Art by Andrea Dorfman"

I AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cheers, dana

Sunday Sketches...memories...and thanks....

People we love grow old,
we watch them lose some of their spark.
At first we refuse to see they are aging,
sometimes frustrated with their change of person.


Ray (who we lost a few years ago) & Tillie (at 95 has just been
diagnosed with a serious medical issue)  Thank you from the
bottom of my heart - you mean sooooo much to me



We soon realize the fading is real,

and our towers of strength are becoming weak.

It's sad and scary for us and them,

realizing our losses and them that endings are near.

Look up and remember there are those who wait for them.

Loving arms open with wings in hand.

With heavy heart we eventually say good-bye,

and on their memories, lessons, and love we rely.

with love and respect, dana

You may have seen this before on my blog, it is a painting I did in honor of Ray & Tillie's, what would have been 75th anniversary last year. Ray had passed a few years earlier.

please visit the wonderful artist at Sunday Sketches hosted by Sophia at Blue Chair Diary

all works copyright dana strickland - sinderella studio 2011