"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.

Anything Goes 2018 Ending Reception

Well the month for the exhibit surely came and went very quickly. Unfortunately I didn't place in the exhibit and I didn't sell my "Awake" piece but that's okay. Sure it's a little discouraging. I would by lying if I told you I didn't feel a twinge of disappointment from not placing and/or not selling my artwork. We all will feel disappointment or feel discouraged at some point especially when it's a career that you put your heart and soul into, but it's best we don't let that deter us from meeting our goals and dreams.

To all of the dreamers and doers - Keep on dreaming and doing! You WILL get there in due time.

Not every artist (or whatever your field is) made it overnight. Seriously. I believe every artist I've EVER come across or talked to have said that they didn't make it overnight. For some, it took a few years and some it took over a decade before they "made it" to a more satisfactory state of their career.

Some days I feel like What's the point? and other days I feel confident and thinking to myself I got this!

I look forward to submitting to more exhibits and call for artists and more importantly to just keep creating more art.

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":

Opening Night at Litmus Gallery!

Last night was absolutely amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better opening night. I got to network with some great resident artists at Litmus Gallery as well as local artists.

Another major thing that happened was my sister and friends came to support me. It was a complete shock for me but of course I was pleasantly surprised and on the verge of tears at their sweet gesture. They brought flowers (inspiration for an upcoming piece or two?) and after awhile we all went out to eat and celebrated my opening night. How marvelous, right?

I am absolutely blessed to have such love and support from friends and family.

P.S. The hubs didn't mind all of the gal talk and banter. He is a relatively quiet guy but he's my #1 cheerleader and I love him for it!

Me pictured with my 8x8 abstract piece entitled, "Awake," for opening night at the Litmus Gallery for the "Anything Goes 2018 Exhibit".

Me pictured with my sister and our mutual friends who surprised me with flowers and their support by showing up for opening night.

Wake Med North Exhibit

I dropped off some art pieces at Wake Med North today and what a beautiful display they have available for local artists. This is a great area because it is high traffic and the artwork IS the main focal point so you definitely can't bypass the area and overlook the artwork that is displayed.

Even though I may not make any sales from this, at least it is a great opportunity for exposure and that is very important for an artist. Self promotion and exposure are two major things that artists need to keep in mind especially when starting out.

I was lucky enough that the "Artist of the Month" for November was available via the local artist guild that I'm a part of (Wake Forest Guild of Artists). A huge thank you to them for coordinating things like this for the artists.

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.