Wow, a month has passed already!

So much goes on day to day....work...family...stuff...
Back to painting!

So far just really looking at week one and two with Tracy Verdugo Paint Mojo... totally immersed and wish I didn't have a job that I had to go to.  It would be so amazing to really take this class and be able to give it my full time attention!  Alas, I have bills to pay!
My first dream catcher ended up gifted to a young dreamer, so happy to share it with her as she embarks on a worldly adventure!

Then my second which was to include a face.  I actually incorporated some of my lessons from Juliette Crane, Bliss and Jodi Ohl, grunge.  I committed that when I wasn't able to go to Tracy's retreat in Indiana that I would take the e-course class spending no additional money - using whatever supplies I had on hand and make it work.  So, this second dream catcher is on Yupo paper I had from my class with Jodi Ohl.  It is fun to work on - way different than canvas or watercolor paper.  I used my character face from class with Juliette Crane's Bliss and her finishing layers, fixative, mod podge with some blue added and Dorman;s Wax..  Juliette has a new class Paint Happy - hoping to win a spot in her drawing!!!

So, not exactly the assignment but Tracy said it was okay to be a rebel and not follow the "rules", which there are none!

Then last but not least - my second palette of possibilities - finding the pic within the blob of left over paint!

Crazy how you can find something in what appears to be nothing.  I am still working on my canvas immersion...


Ready to really put some time into that this upcoming week.


Make art.  Be happy, share your world!
cheers,
dana

Week three of who inspires me... Juliette Crane

Juliette Crane's class BLISS... gave me just that, the feeling of BLISS each time I picked up my new found favorite pencil. (General's Sketch & Wash)  She taught me to sketch .  I didn't think I could do that.  I thought each time I wanted to draw something - I had to find something to copy, no way could I just put pencil to paper and come up with something....WRONG!  I CAN!!!
Sitting with my dogs, drinking my coffee in the morning quiet...I sketch...it is a great way to start a day.  I always get up to get ready for work with a smile on my face when I practice this.  It calms the mind and soothes the soul. It brings BLISS!  While taking Juliette's class I developed my character Pearl!  I love her and have sold a couple small paintings of her.  All of my paintings of her carry the title Pearl's Wisdom.   ...she is different every time, yet similar and always wearing pearls.

from my sketch book....






Juliette's class was so inspiring the way she creates her backgrounds and her characters.  Her husband's music always in the background.  Layers and layers and never giving up until you bring out what is inside.  Her book is beautiful and I love just running my hands across the pages.  I try to always pick up anything she is published in talking about how she creates.  I have one of her prints...it inspires me and brings about my dream state...a lovely place to be!

Thank you Juliette for BLISS!

update of my Paint Mojo e-course with Tracy Verdugo:

She has us making Inspiration Bundles...what an amazing exercise in pulling out your creativity...expanding your mind and working freely!

I won't go into the entire exercise...you should take her course and absorb the entire experience - the images I used were hers...and my poem that came from them is completely different than what she pulled out of the same prompts, so interesting so the the different outcomes by each person that looked at the same pictures.




The rooster speaks,
in many languages.
Love Lives Here is his message.
Hearts whirl with soulful touches,
Knowing love is delicate and makes one vulnerable.
Release fear, let loose the heart and mind.
Remember soft petals of he loves me, he loves me (knot).
Stitch together the moments of bliss with those fallen petals.
Pattern the colors of the heart with brightness.
Find a place of solitude to remind yourself...
of the precious golden freshness of life with love.
Tie all these memories in frayed little bundles to be opened
and remembered at a later time.

I so loved doing this and wanted to share some inspiration, so as I often do...I abandoned my art at this bus stop.  I always include a couple bucks and a free coffee from McDonald's.  Not much but this bus stop is used by people that live in low income housing and many have disabilities.  I hope the person that found this the other day in the sub zero temps at least got a smile.  This exercise really made me think and pull things out of I don't know where - the words just came...I loved it but felt I couldn't keep it to myself.  Thank you Tracy Verdugo!
I am still only in week one and week three has started - I need to win the lottery so I can stay home and just soak this all up!!!!
Life is Better with ART!

cheers, dana

Pearl's Wisdom copyright dana strickland, sinderella's studio 2015

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

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