Call for Art - Largest Piece to Date!

Today I took the plunge and started the largest piece to date for me....36 x 48". I'm really excited to work on this piece because it is for a "Call for Art" and this call is for something very near and dear to my heart. It's for a cancer center here in North Carolina.

Let me explain why it's special to me...

My sister is a cancer survivor as well as I've had some other family members who are cancer survivors or unfortunately left this world too soon because of cancer. I also used to work with cancer patients so you could say cancer has been an ever-present being in my life.

When I saw this call for art I knew I HAD to go for it.

In the call's description, there was no theme but wanted a color palette that was of blues, greens, and earth tones to representative of Eastern North Carolina. What stuck out the most in the description to me was this..."provide a calming sense of being and appeal to a broad audience."

It is my mission to paint an abstract that will hopefully evoke just that. I need to paint large to fit the space so off I go to the art store and grab myself a few canvases (just in case). I am instantly inspired...not only by the color palette but also what it could mean for me to connect with the audience that will come across my painting (patients and non-patients alike).

I am grabbing my best blues, greens, earth tones and even the pops of color that I can possibly incorporate into this large piece.

Wish me luck! I can't wait to see what comes of this piece as I channel my own story, my loved ones stories, empathy, and the message and emotions that I hope to convey.

Newest Paintings!

"Genesis" 12x24" expressive and intuitive abstract

I created this piece most recently as I was instantly inspired and determined to finish this painting along with a, let's say, "kindred spirit" painting, "Evolution". This piece is the smaller of the two and was named "Genesis" as this piece was the beginning for the color palette. The carmine/red color represents the birth of this painting and the inspiration and idea with the color palette that I chose.

"Evolution" 24x24" expressive and intuitive abstract

I created this piece most recently as I was instantly inspired and determined to finish this painting along with a, let's say, "kindred spirit" painting, "Genesis". This piece is the larger of the two and was named "Evolution" because I took the color palette chosen for both pieces and changed my brush strokes and markings and evolved the colors into a very moving and expressive and intuitive piece. As you look closer you will still see hints of the carmine/red color that was also used in "Genesis" because it represented the birth/the beginning. I included more green into this painting to represent the growth of these paintings and their color story.

“The Light Within” 24x24” expressionist and intuitive abstract

This painting gave me such joy to create. As always, my favorite part of my paintings are how I can get lost in them when creating as well as when viewing the finished creation. For me, I like to look at all of the different markings and squiggles from each layer. I find it calming.

Feeling Inspired and Energetic!

I’ll be working on a few abstracts before finishing the “In the Garden” series. I felt incredibly inspired so I couldn’t wait until I finish that series before starting on my intuitive abstract paintings again. It feels absolutely wonderful to be creating abstracts again.

I recently saw that a local artist guild had a call for art and I knew I HAD to get to work and start creating. I was instantly inspired and started painting. Since I just learned about the call, I was hesitant wondering if I could do it even if I was inspired. I shoved those silly doubts to the back of my mind and put my mind to it.

My mom always said that’s one of my most admirable qualities...once I put my mind to something, there’s no stopping me and that was said to me at an early age.

My art may not get accepted for the call submission. That’s always the risk you take when submitting. Will it stop me from trying? Nope. Will it stop me from creating ever again? Not. A. Chance.

WIP #1

WIP #2

WIP #3

"Works from the Heart" Donated Art Piece UPDATE

My piece, “You Are Loved” packaged and ready for the “Works from the Heart” Kids First, Inc. fundraiser in Elizabeth City, NC. They’ll be holding an artwork gala fundraiser May 3rd!

I felt this painting was most appropriate with its title and color story. These colors are bright and colorful and I hope to inspire feelings of happiness and peace when one sees this painting. May it find a new loving home and may they find peace and happiness when viewing this painting.

I was told by an artist friend about this child abuse center and their need for donated artwork to help raise funds. The center helps provide on-site medical and forensic evaluation as well as support for the child and family after the fact and so much more that they do.

If you’d like to know more about this wonderful organization and/or the fundraiser, please visit their website by clicking: Kids First Inc!

"Awake" SOLD!

“Awake” is officially spoken for at this time! This artwork is being sold via my Payment Plan option.

Did you know I offer Payment Plans on my art?

My whole motive in that is to offer payment plans that are designed to make it easy and affordable for everyone to buy and collect art. It enables clients who may not usually buy art to start a collection with payments spread over a reasonable time period, or established collectors to purchase higher priced works.

Royal & Langnickel's March "Featured Artist of the Month"

Recently I had shared on social media that I had a HUGE announcement and now it is official...

I'm the "Featured Artist" for the month of March with Royal and Langnickel. The earliest month they had available was March and I thought "How serendipitous!" since March is my birth month! What an amazing opportunity and I feel incredibly honored and thankful.

The article went live today!

You can check out my article on Royal & Langnickel's website here.

They also featured me on their social media accounts, please feel free to check those postings out as well.

Royal & Langnickel's Facebook post:

Royal & Langnickel's Instagram post:

Please remember to like, comment, and share because every bit helps an artist!

NOTE: The article will be accessible (:::hint hint::: shareable) even after March.

"Works from the Heart" Donated Art Piece

I’m happy to say that this piece, “You Are Loved” will be donated towards a great organization called Kids First, Inc. in Elizabeth City, NC. They’ll be holding an artwork gala fundraiser on May 3, 2019!

I felt this painting was most appropriate with its title and color story. These colors are bright and colorful and I hope to inspire feelings of happiness and peace when one sees this painting. May it find a new loving home and may they find peace and happiness when viewing this painting.

I was recently told by an artist friend about this child abuse center and their need for donated artwork to help raise funds. The center helps provide on-site medical and forensic evaluation as well as support for the child and family after the fact. There’s so much more that they do so please feel free to look them up or read the brochure included in this post.

Unexpected Happiness and its Inspiration

"Unexpected Happiness" is a product of instant inspiration.

I wanted to mimic the colors as close as possible from the bouquet of flowers that I received from my sister and friends when they surprised me at the group showing/juried show at Litmus Gallery in Raleigh (Anything Goes 2018)!

I was completely taken aback and was so happy that they came out to support me. God has truly blessed me with some amazing and thoughtful people in my life.

I hope this painting brings a smile to your face like it does mine because I associate those feelings of happiness and love when I see it. The colors are bright and wonderful and certainly brighten my day!

The inspiration for "Unexpected Happiness":

Anything Goes Juried Show 2018

Exciting News Announcement!!

My piece, "Awake," was chosen to be a part of an upcoming show Litmus Gallery & Studios!!!

"Awake" is an 8x8 abstract piece that I completed awhile back.

I'm so honored to be a part of this great opportunity and if you're in the area, please be sure to stop by during the exhibition!

Exhibit Calendar:

Friday, November 2: Exhibition opens / Wine Reception 6 – 9 pm

Friday, December 7: Wine Reception 6 – 9 pm / Exhibit closes 9 pm

November 2 – December 7: Exhibition opens Thursdays 10 am – 2 pm and by appointment.

When do I consider my artwork to be "complete"?

I recently came across a posting from Zen Art Supplies on Instagram. They asked their followers/viewers "How do you know when a work is finished?".

Ironically I JUST  had this exact discussion with my husband the night prior to seeing their post.

So, when do I personally consider my artwork to be complete? Is it every really complete? 

Well, I suppose I could just say, "It's just a feeling." Even though that's true...to an extent...there's more to my process. I do love texture, movement, and a color with my paintings but what is something that can add an extra element to my paintings?

A few months back I started to really think about ways to help me make my pieces more dynamic...to dig a little deeper into my mind and my soul on what else can inspire me to achieve this. 

Once I got lost in thought, I thought to myself What if someone was colorblind and looked at my painting? What would they see? Would they be able to enjoy my painting just as much as a person who sees color?  Will they be just as moved by my painting by seeing the variations of lights and darks as opposed to a person who sees the colored version? 

That's when I decided to use the B&W feature on my phone's camera. You may be thinking Dana, that's not really a big deal...there are plenty of artists who use B&W on their cameras to view values. Yes, it really helps to see the color values.  For me, it was so much more than that. It was more than seeing if there are too many areas of lightness or darkness? It helped me see my paintings in a new light, so to speak. This became another way to help me connect with viewers.

I used this for the recent painting I was working on for an upcoming juried show. It's one thing to see your painting with the colors you used, it's another to see it in a different way using B&W. Prior to viewing it in B&W, it seemed to be missing something...seemed like there wasn't enough contrast in my painting. After seeing it in B&W, I realized my suspicions were true (in my opinion) and I added a few different "areas of interest" by using more color and brush strokes until it looked and felt complete not only in color but also in B&W. 

I wanted to include Before/After photos of the painting so hopefully help you see what I'm talking about. Unfortunately, a photo never quite does a painting justice since they are better when experienced up close and personal.