busy busy - learning learning

So, this is my second week trying to handle two online classes - work - and continue to run.  I am working on my second Cotton Candy Girl...even though we have started week 3!  oy.  and have finished my first two assignments with Lisa's Wright Brain e-course class!  OY, again, my brain.... it is all good.  Learning alot about myself!  Well, stuff I knew but have never put down on paper.  I know both of these classes are going to help me free up and be able to paint better!!!!!!!!!!!
So, some insight to Lisa's class:  my post in class today:

Yes, I am late too... this started in one direction and became somewhat of a self-soul portrait.  I too feel like I am two people...Normal looking and confident YET the artist side wants to be bold and dress weird (or artsy) and fly AND won't.  My mind has this person all the time...I feel like I could play dress up and I would paint better.  I invision creating...dreamily on my deck, sipping wine and just without effort painting beautiful scenes that I truly see and feel.  Yet, I only tend to copy work of others...my few emotional self thought pieces carry so much pleasure for me when I look at them...in my mind I am doing that type of work all the time.  I see beyond the obvious, my palette is filled with the most beautiful colors, my brush flows across the paper... I am in my happy place, my zenful place...it is like being on my bike and riding thru the beautiful country side with the rest of the world not interfering.

Both classes are worth the time and effort - please click on my sidebar and check them out if you are looking to expand your comfort zone!!!!!!!!

cheers, dana

make art, make friends - share art, share souls

Happy Mother's Day & WOW what a week...

So Monday I started the Cotton Candy Girls class with Natasha May.... sketched and then didn't have time until today to finish BECAUSE I worked (of course)....then yesterday ran a 10k ( my first in over 5 yrs ).  It was a blast but had to be there early so left my house at 4:45 a.m. - drove 75 miles - plodded 6.2 - then turned around and headed home...

Once at home, a quick shower then onto the Artist Reception at Gracie's Cafe in Williamston, MI.  The exhibit for May is "Something Red" and I had my Broken Dreams piece on exhibit!  So I met my mom there and had an INCREDIBLE lunch to celebrate Mother's Day early...  This restaurant/cafe has a menu that is over the top... the service is excellent and the art on display is nothing short of FABULOUS!!!!

So today a drive down to see my boys and their kids!!!  So another 120 mile day to add to yesterday BUT WELL WORTH IT!!!! and then locked myself into finish my 1st lesson for Natasha May's COTTON CANDY GIRLS!!!!

I absolutely did NOT think I would be able to do these whimsical girls!  Guess what - I DID IT - and love her!!!!!!!!!!!  The first is an Angel and now I must do two more so that each of my granddaughters has one!!!!!!!!!!  Click on my sidebar and come join us!!!

So today for Sunday Sketches, hosted by Alexandra!!!!  another super artist... I am sharing my CCG Angel!  Enjoy today as a mom, a daughter, sister, friend!!!  Ladys' take a bow!!!!  Tomorrow I also add Lisa Wrights e-course!!!!!!!!!!!  Click the sidebar, I am sure it will be nothing short of AMAZING!!!

CHEERS! dana

Well here I go..........and Sunday Sketches...

So, although time is a hot commodity here, I feel the need to really learn some technique!  I see paintings in my head and can't get them down on paper.  Either I don't even try because I sit and stare at paper afraid to tackle it or just smudge around with it.  The angel episode damaged my ego but I've recovered.  The second edition was well recieved but somehow it didn't feel good as I feel I let myself be taken advantage of.  I should have charged!!! 

I'm trying to let loose and get messy....

Anyways, this week I did do a page in the messy book group (see sidebar) -  I also learned alot about my watercolor crayons doing this, I hadn't really noticed how different they feel as they go down on the paper... and after I took out my aggressions on my first angel I feel freer!!   I am looking forward to starting Natasha May's Cotton Candy Girls class AND Lisa Wrights e-course!!!!!!!!!!!!  So I need to become a better time manager! Click on the sidebars to check out their information.

a work in process....

So, now onto Sunday Sketches....an inspiring place to visit each week!!!!  So much is shared, beyond the artwork!!!  I know that I will be able to produce what I invision with this owl once I have a couple weeks of Natasha and Lisa's classes in! 

cheers, dana

make art, make friends - share art, share souls

round 2 with the Angel....

Well, my WWII vet DID NOT LIKE THE ANGEL I DID, AT ALL!!!  "That is not what I asked for, I want a real map with an angel - Angels are WHITE!!!"  He was rude and it was hard to stand there and take it.  So, thank goodness for being part of Lisa Wright's Messy Book group - even though I hadn't worked in my book  yet.  I have had to work 6 days a week for a couple weeks and life has just been to busy.  But with that in mind I was able to buck up... took my angel to the sink and poured my cup of coffee out on top of it!  I  then took it outside and stomped it into the dirt. 

The trainee I was working with thought I had lost my mind.  I really didn't say anything.  Took the painting back outside and left it in the pouring rain.  As I was leaving work I ran it over a couple times and then put it in my car.  So, at the DEMANDS of my WWII vet, I redid the painting on a map with a WHITE ANGEL.  If he doesn't like this one, I am done.  I can't believe someone would be so rude when you are doing something for free.  He said all you artists' think you have the right to interpret what is being asked of you  - well heck yay, if you wanted a still life then take a photo for me to copy!!!

Anyway, here is the new version.  So my sweet 89 yr old vet has a mean streak that he didn't show when asking for me to do this and letting me know how poor he is.  Lesson learned!!!!

now, off to pour some dirt into my Accidental Mess Book so I can contribute to the group!
cheers, dana

make art, make friends (well, I guess not always) - share art, share souls

wow a month has past since my last post

Sometimes life is just to hectic!  Family and work needs come before my art needs....so it's been awhile.  I peek in from time to time but haven't had time to even really comment.  I soooooooooooo miss blogland!!!
Today I am sharing my Sunday morning crash art!  I was asked by a WWII vet to do a painting, depending on how much I would charge of course.  He is on a fixed income and is 89 yrs. old.  He has a friend in Las Vegas that just became an Evangical Minister and wants a specific painting done for her birthday.  He told me that he has always called her his "Nevada Angel" so he wants:
a map of Nevada showing Las Vegas, a church in the corner, an angel above and the sky to go from day to night with stars.  Obviously he has this pictured in his mind.  So here is what I did this morning (he needs it by tomorrow and this is the first day off I have had that I could stay at home to work on it), talk about last minute.

NEVADA ANGEL

Hope he likes her!!!  and hope the recipient likes it!  Sharing this today at Sunday Sketches hosted by Sophia!  So much talent to see at this site!  Please visit!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to be online again...I miss my art world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cheers,

dana

p.s. he is a Veteran - no way would I charge him!!!  I can paint because I live in a free country which he helped provide!

old sketches reworked

trying to sort things out and find homes for my endless piles of "STUFF".  I came across a sketch I did on one of my chicken figurines in 2006...so just added some color...got to start somewhere to get that mojo working!!!

Please visit all the Sunday Sketches artists' over at Sophia's Blue Chair Diary!!!!  The place to start your Sundays!!!!

cheers, dana

make art, make friends - share art, share souls

so much for posting weekly...

Just sooooooooo many things going on...today hibernating/hiding in my artroom...

I had signed up for a pay it forward hand-made project on facebook earlier this year.  I just finished my gift to send out.  I knitted a winter headband (thinking there was plenty of winter left here in MI - we just completed 3 weeks of weather that was like living in FL - 70's-upper 80's) anyways I completed the headband but then ran into a snag.  I wanted a white flower on it and didn't know how to make one.  I purchased one and planned on embellishing it when I saw a short 2 hr class offered locally for felting flowers!!!  PERFECT!  On a Sunday - so yes, I could go and it wouldn't take up my one day off to get other things accomplished.  So off I went to Rae's Yarn Boutique in Lansing.  Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!  Love my flower, it was exactly what I had pictured in my head and now the entire thing is completely hand-made.  My friend is a Spartan fan - green and white - so this will be perfect for next years football games!

I am now going to make a maize and blue one for myself, my daughter in law, and my granddaughters so we'll be ready for MICHIGAN football.  The felting was so much fun!
As for my painting...I am feeling like this journal page....washed up and fading...

nothing is going on the paper with a good feel...I must pull myself together as I have been commissioned to do a gift and really need some artistic mojo to come back!!!




Thanks for visiting - be sure to check out all the good artwork on Sunday Sketches hosted by Sophia!