Early sunrise after a snow storm.....

Hi All, I am pleased to say that I had some sales!! It is almost unbearable to wait for someone to appreciate and want what you have......I am interested on how YOU handle it, as I get so terribly discouraged....
I took these pictures of our latest storm. I took these at my house, from the second floor porch. I hope you enjoy them....I am captivated by the beauty that surrounds us........

I work on my shops daily in hopes of enticing some customers to enjoy my selections. As a handicapped person, I count on the income to live....I would be very interested and grateful to any tips, information, and ideas that the rest of you may have...I think we are all in this  boat together, and sharing can make a world of difference.....I have ideas about marketing, SEO, traffic, and promotion.....I will start next time to share these ideas. ENJOY the pictures! Donna:)xo

View of the house across the street, and the beautiful trees

Gorgeous snow weighted trees in the back yard!

THE STRESS OF WAITING FOR SALES.......

Acrylic Original: "Luna Fantasy"

Hi All.....

I hope your Holidays were awesome, and your New Year is looking bright! I am about to start a new series of paintings and change the look of my art studio. I have a whole new series planned and I am anxious to start painting. I have to say that this last year has been my worst sales since I started my shop on Etsy in 2009. It has been a very stressful year. You start questioning your abilities, and worst of all, your self esteem takes a nose dive. If anyone has experienced this, you are not alone! I have been a professional artist for over 35 years, and it is always "living on the edge". Living on the edge of what, you may ask.......Well let me share with you.  First of all you are made of glass, whether you know it or not...You are subject to every type of critique that the "wise ones" can muster. Since you have so much of yourself showing, for the world to see, you question every nuance, every brush stroke, every emotion.........Roller Coaster does not cover it! The longer you wait for a sale, the more you are convinced that you really don't have any talent at all.....That you are just fooling yourself with the notion that you CAN bring some beauty to the world.....To be continued tomorrow.........

I apologize for being absent for a while, but I am recovering from a fracture. I was so excited to find Canvas for sale on ETSY! Here is the link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/artistbrandcanvas
This is a family that has been in business for over 40 years and the canvas originates in the U.S.! It comes primed. You must take a look!

Remember if you are doing a landscape, that you have to work towards your horizon. When you work, go from your perspective out to the horizon, remembering that all the colors in the atmostphere, between you and the horizon, have to be worked into your color......In other words, as you work out, be sure to think of your subject and colors, and include a tiny bit in your next progression to the horizon. Please ask me if you have questions......Donna:)

This is my latest creation! I just "played" with this. It is a mixed media original painting on Gallery canvas....I would call this expressionism. I used pencil sketching, fabric, Acrylic paint, and paint pens....This is worked up in layers... The background was worked by adding layers of different color, then "scrubbing", which is explained in a previous post. I look for the shapes in the background, or light spots. I then play with my white or light color, with shapes and textures. In this case I used the spots of light to create impressions of windows and cracking plaster....I used my pencil and pen to put some suggestion of shape in....On the right side a used a watered down, full brush of color, and then blew on it from the edge. You have to do this while wet. If some of the "drips" are too long or in the wrong direction, just blot with paper towel, right away. I used my sketch pencil to put in impressions of different dancers and poses. I then put in light areas of white for the dresses and pink for the shoes......The main figure was sketched, and then color was added in an impressionistic approach, The dress was worked up in layer of tissue, and then a cut piece of lace. When you do this, use CLEAR Gesso. Lay down a layer on the area you want to cover and then place your fabric on top of it. Use your brush to adhere it and work into place. The put a layer of gesso on the top of it and brush and pat, especially the edges, until it is saturated. I will use a matte varnish on the piece. Any questions, please post, and I will answer! Happy Weekend! Donna:)

Hi all! I am using this portraiture to demostrate a technique tip....
If you will notice the background, it is a faint trace of flowers....The way you achieve this is to
lighten the same color as the promanent background. Then lay down some random flower shapes. If you need to lighten more, then just add some white....After a few seconds of drying, take a large wash brush and "scrub" it into the background. You can repeat this in layers, until you are satisfied with the look. You can use this technique anywhere in your painting, remembering to let the images dry for a few seconds. You can also get a blurred, misty effect this way.....I often add a touch of color or white, and "scrub" it into the existing background. All the white imagry you see coming through on this painting, is done with this technique. Any questions?? Just post them for me.......All for today....Donna :)

Hi Everyone! It has been such a long time since I have updated, but I have decided to give it my full attention in the future......This latest painting of mine is a mixed media impression of a lady fishing. I am a hopeless fan of Monet, Klimt, and Manet, among other greats! In this painting, I selected a studio canvas that is stapled on the back. I primed it with clear gesso. Gesso will seal the canvas for a smoother surface, but still has a "tooth". I prefer not to have the canvas texture show in this piece.
The only sketching I did was of the boat and woman. I achieve a background in layers, allowing dryiing in between....This way the color does not "muddy". I work from dark to light, as opposed to watercolor, in which I work in the opposite...In this piece, besides the acrylic paint,(I prefer Golden heavy) I also used professional paint markers. These come in a large variety of colors and sizes....I am using a light yellow green, and a fine marker size......I first finish my painting and then play with the markers! It ads a touch of texture, interest, and whimsy. On water, I usually lay the first color, on the darker side, using a wide 2 or 3 inch flat brush. I will then add different washes and dabs of paint, waiting for them to dry a few seconds and then take my wide brush and blend. I blend by sweeping my brush over the color until it is blended. You can play with this for different effects. When I am done, I used a matte varnish to seal.......If you have any comments or questions, please post them here......Till next time.....Donna:)

FYI tidbit

When cleaning a piece of sterling jewelry with stones, do not dip the stone in a quick tarnish remover. You can take a Qtip and put some solution on it, and gently work over the silver, until is is clean. Then you can "soak" the whole piece in dawn and warm water to clean the stones. You can apply silver polish with Qtips also, or a soft rag...

Let down from Holiday Rush!

Well, I don't know if I am relieved or scared!! I was so busy in the shops and now it has slowed to
a trickle! I think I am more scared! I try changing the appearence and renewing myself into debt.......But still nothing...I went through so much inventory when I was busy, that I think I really need to go to the next estate sale invitation, and buy my little heart out! The phenomenon of the vintage jewelry is still strong, a nd I can always count on sales with it. Well, all, that is my thought for the day, any thoughts??