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

Juliette Crane's BLISS course is exactly that!

Still don't have my supplies together or my work space cleared off BUT I am still participating!  Journals are buried - so I grabbed a piece of paper that I was paying bills from to do this mornings quick painting sketch.  I am doing a small block painting for one of my nephews and he wants a fox - good thing Juliette's characters included a fox!  I am working my way thru a video each morning...haven't figured out how to post on the facebook page or in the photo gallery - but I will have some time next weekend to try and figure all that out!

I can't explain how doing this morning exercise helps to start the day in a positive way.  You kind of get sucked into this peaceful place and your mind stops thinking life - and relaxes!  Then jump in the shower and go forward with a clear head!  This is therapy at its finest! (sort of like riding my Harley).

So here is my little fox:

journal page not in a journal, lol 

So, now the block piece I am sending to my great nephew Max...

What does the FOX say???

Hope he likes it, now to finish his brother's peacock! 

Thanks Juliette Crane for giving me BLISS !!!!

life is short, make sure you LIVE it!

dana

Morning Journaling

I have never been good at journaling.  I feel like I am not digging deep enough or am short sighted because I am not writing deep thought provoking prose.  This week starts an online class I am taking with Juliette Crane, BLISS.  I have not gotten my supply list together, I haven't cleared space in my art room to even put a scrap piece of paper down.  I am, as usual, totally unprepared BUT I am determined to follow and do the exercises, experience the art through this class.  I have decided the only way for me to do this is to get up and grab my paints. 

We have had an emotional couple weeks here with the death of two separate friends...so, I still decided I needed to get online and start.  I have only so far watched a couple of the intro videos ...AMAZING!!!  Yesterday after watching I scribbled a peacock in a random notebook on the desk.  Today I added some color.  No, not a masterpiece, but it's not intended to be.  Juliette says she starts everyday in her journal with a painting.  I have to tell you, both this morning and yesterday - with all that is going on - this was a beautiful release.  It also helped me find peace with the death of our friends.  They both suffered greatly and are in a better place. 

I have been running almost every morning since December1st of 2013 - to get myself back to my better self, physically and mentally.  I have added this morning painting to the process and shall continue to do so.

I am excited to really get going with Juliette's class - and if it takes my all week to get through the intros and finally get to lesson one then that's what it is.  Scrap paper, watercolor paper, real journal, notebook, whatever is in front of me shall take on this new process!  A new journey begins!!!!

prince of peace

Live is short - live it!
dana

2014 LIBERATE YOUR ART POSTCARD SWAP

Once again, Kat's swap brought joy to my mailbox!  This is my third year participating and it is so much fun going to the mailbox. . . no bills just beauty from around the globe! 

The first card top left is a beautiful photo of an old building with rocks and flowering weeds bringing it life!  It is from Sonya Versluys www.sonyaversluys.com - her work amazing! 

Then a much needed shared cup of hot chocolate from Maddy at www.maddy-moo.blogspot.com
Her card came on one of the many snowy days we had here in the never ending Michigan winter, made me smile!

The sunset skyline with small bird in the trees is so peaceful.  It has a soulful beauty from Vicki at www.outofhand-alteredbooks.blogspot.com

Once again another photo that gives you peace the minute you look at it!  boats out on the water with an amazing skyline!  from Dee Vlasak at Instagram

A shoreline pic of Lake Erie from the Ohio side of the water!  Love it, as I am from Michigan and have visited this shoreline my entire life!  Gorgeous!  from Shelley at www.shelleyshockley.com

And of course from Kat herself!  Layered Autumn www.kateyestudio.com
I love getting Kat's postcard as the finally - it just pulls it altogether.  It is sad too because now you know it's done - over - complete - ahhhhhhh, but there is next year!

Hope those that received my A-moo-re enjoyed the love!

I took this photo while in New Mexico visiting my husband's dairy vet daughter.  This is NOT photo shopped.  They check cows for pregnancy - marking them with different colors for stage of pregnancy, twins and other things.  She checked 600 cows the day we were with her.  Wow, I have a totally different view of cows now - and the strength it takes to do what she does!

Like the card says:  live, laugh, love!!!!
dana

back to blogging

I have been absent for quite some time and am hoping to get back into my artful zone.  My last post was of a painting that I did for my granddaughters and one I am most proud of!  It is difficult to find time to run, paint and blog with a full work schedule outside the home.  Last year wasn't my best and since December I have made true committment to myself physically and mentally to get back to being me.  Happy to say I am feeling great.

We have some very serious illness with close friends and family members that reminds you that life is short.   Do what makes you happy - because that in turn makes others happy too.  Celebrate the small things!  Be with the ones you love!

That in mind I will be posting the pics from the Liberate Your Art postcard swap of 2014, some scribbles and babbles about life and...want to share this:

Tracy Verdugo is an inspiration and I love love love her work.  I recently picked up the spring copy of Somerset Apprentice and she has a great how to article - I have her upcoming book on pre-order and have signed up for her retreat in Newburgh, Indiana 2015.  Now she is about to offer her first e-course, yes, I am on the mailing list to get the info! Visit her blog - check out her amazing work, and her inspirational mindset!

http://artoftracyverdugo.blogspot.com/

Off to put some paint on a canvas!  before jumping into the shower for work! 

Make a great day!  If you work on making your day, you will surely make someone else's.
cheers, dana,