• art,  artists,  inspiration

    Beautiful Motivation…

    So anyone who follows me on twitter or is in my presence for more than 5 minutes knows, like the rest of just about everybody, I’m Hamilton obsessed. I’ve been listening to the Hamilton soundtrack pretty much Non-Stop (see what I did there?) since it come out.

    That said, my friends know I’m also planner obsessed and lucky for me my writer bud, Jax Cassidy is also a super talented artist so I commissioned her to make me up these gorgeous pieces which I plan on putting on my bulletin board for inspiration and putting in my planner to keep me motivated.

    Jax 4 (2)

     

    Jax 1 (2)

    You can check out more of Jax’s work here at her Etsy shop  www.InspirationUnbound.etsy.com  or email her at inspirationunbound@gmail.com  for a custom work of your own! Thank you so much, Jax for the inspiration, the motivation and the smiles.

     

    All the best,

    KMJ

  • art,  artists,  interviews

    Interview with the Artist- Dawna from Dlmtle Art

    Hello everyone. Today I’d like to introduce you to an artist I found via Google, Dawna Morton.  I found Dawna in an unlikely way. Quite a few Sundays ago I was on the run, literally, to take the DD to 2 dance shows and had the vision of a Moody Sunrise in my head because it was a moody kind of day. So… long story, short I searched Google for a moody sunrise image and Dawna’s work came up with many others but her’s just jumped out at me. I put it up, said on my post, “image from here” and linked to her blog and ran out the door with the DD, running late as usual. The next day I hear from Dawna.. Lesson here: I should have asked before putting Dawna’s image up on ye old blog.

    But Dawna’s work at DlmtleArt is gorgeous and it should be seen and talked about. She’s kindly agreed to do a blog interview here. So let’s chat with Dawna.

     Dawna Morton self portrait

    Hi Dawna. Thanks so much for being here today. Please tell us a little about your background.

    How long have you been an artist? Is this something you’ve always done? Did you study at school?

    I grew up in the inner city area of Portland, Oregon. I have 2 brothers, a sister, 5 step brothers, and 5 step sisters. My Husband and I have 5 kids and a dog, and live on a forested half-acre overlooking the Columbia River.

    Although I did not seriously start trying to sell my artwork until three years ago, I have always enjoyed art. Starting with a childhood love of late night coloring, several ceramics courses and an art class in middle school, followed by some more art classes in high school, I went on to major in Fine Arts at Brigham Young University with the intention of entering the illustration program. Then after my Sophomore year of college I married my high school sweetheart, and my family became my full-time top priority–as it should be 😉 It was not until recently that I started putting more of an emphasis back on developing my talent as an artist.

    You paint and do photography? Please tell us what you love about both mediums?

    As a child I was shy, introspective, and quiet, so expressing myself visually was and still is easier than in conversation. I have always loved to play with color, and there is something about the creative process that is relaxing and therapeutic, causing my worries and cares to all fall away while I lose myself in the process and feel of moving the brush, pen, or pencil across the paper. Although I use many different mediums, watercolor is by far my favorite because I love its ability to capture the essence of sunlight.

    Photography is great because it gives me a creative outlet when life is too hectic to paint. I also love how since I have started selling my photos as well as my art, I find myself constantly on the lookout for the beauty that surrounds me. It gives me an excuse to get out of the house and go hiking, or just poke around the yard whenever the sunlight is “just right.” Recently I’ve been having fun experimenting and learning some new photo editing techniques to come up with something new and imaginative.

     

    Your love of nature is clear in your work. Is there a subject matter that you prefer or does it flow for you?

    At first my favorite subject was people–specifically people in my life and events involving them that were nearest and dearest to my heart. Even now, hope, joy, love, spirituality, and family are often themes in my art. It is perhaps because of how sunlight, water and other nature scenes symbolically express these themes that I am so fascinated with them as subjects.

    Since recently my life has been chaotic and hectically busy, lately I have been working on some less time intensive exercises to move away from photo-realism in my paintings by doing things like looking at a scene for 5 minutes, then painting it entirely from memory.

     

    I know you are a busy mother too. How do you manage your artwork and your family? What’s a typical day or week like for you? Is any day typical?

    I had a good laugh when you asked whether any day is typical. Some days I’m not sure there isany such thing. Dealing with a toddler, an infant, and three school-age children requires a lot of flexibility. I have to do a lot of playing things by ear and make the best use of my time based on whether the baby is crying, what the toddler is getting into, or if anyone is having a complete meltdown. My schedule is constantly in flux based on the kids’ developmental stages and activities–so I quite frequently have to learn to readjust my daily schedule.

    Managing my family and having time for my artwork is a bit of a balancing act. I try to make the most of all the little moments during the day when there is the opportunity to get two or more things done at once–all while trying to get enough quality time in with my family. I find that things like preparing ahead, being creative in my use of leftovers, making sure the kids all have adequate age appropriate chores, and taking time for spiritual nourishment as well as family fun helps keep things on a more even keel.

    I love that advice and it would help so many of us working moms!

    Thanks so much for being here again. You can contact Dawna for custom pieces or prints or greeting cards at:

    her blog is at  http://dlmtleart.wordpress.com/
    see Dawna’s art at http://dlmtleArt.imagekind.com
    For greeting cards and more visit http://www.zazzle.com/dlmtleart*
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

     

    Best,

    Kwana 

  • art,  artists,  inspiration,  musings,  my view

    In/Sane Woman

    This woman hangs out on my inspiration board which is over my little desk. Sometimes she’s hidden behind seemingly prettier more well behaved pictures or sayings. Tucked away just a little corner of color, a finger, a breast or an eye peeking out. Then things get jostled, moved around and she’s back out in full view. It’s like she’s pushed her way out and won’t be hidden behind the pretty.

    Woman I by Willam de Kooning. 

    I don’t know what made me instantly pick her up as soon as my eyed washed over her in the MoMa gift shop but my hands flew to her and it was like picking up a part of me. Wild, scattered, colorful, fierce but constrained.

    I’m feeling very much like Woman I as I go into the weekend. Hope it’s not too bumpy a ride. Have a good weekend.

    Best,

    Kwana

  • artists,  happy birthday,  happy holidays,  PVE

    Happy 2 P day!

    It’s a 2 celebration type of day. Hooray!

    Happy St. Patrick’s Day. There will be plenty of cheer flowing around New York and the country. I say do it up in style! Klassy like.

    And Happy Birthday to Patricia of pvedesign!

     


    Patricia is a wonderful artist, mother and friend.

    I know plenty of you have been touched by her artwork and the daily inspiration she gives out on her blog. If you haven’t been by then click on over.

    Spread some love and stop on by here to give her birthday greetings today.

    Best,
    Kwana

  • art,  artists,  life,  writing life

    If I Had a Million Dollars

    Tackle it Tuesday? Ha I wish.
    Today I find myself thinking if I had a million dollars (well, 2 or 3. A million just ain’t what it used to be) I’d hire that cleaning fairy and hunky Top Chef to make my life just a smidge (read: whole boatload) more manageable. Life is very different now than from when this still life was done by Pop Artist Tom Wesselmann in 1963.

    It’s another postcard I have from a visit to the MoMa. I think I was drawn to the color and calming simplicity of this kitchen. I’m sure the Rice Krispies and the Dole Pineapples helped pull me in too.
    What practical thing would you purchase if you had a million or two?
    Tom Wesselmann 1963, Still Life #30

    Off to tackle some edits today.

    Best,

    Kwana

  • art,  artists,  inspiration,  love,  my view

    Welcoming Kiss

    This is Marc Chagall’s Birthday done in 1915. I have it in a postcard stuck in my bedroom mirror among others. The colors are heavenly and perfectly balanced. The kiss and the present of a simple bouquet is divine. This seems to be the perfect welcome home from any mate. But what I love most here is the way the man is stretching, seeking, bending towards his wife. Yep, literally bending over backwards to get to her. Isn’t love grand?


    Best,
    Kwana

  • artists,  blogs

    Have You Met Anne?

    What’s Jack up to? As I write this Jack is snug and happy sleeping on the couch. Oh yeah, he worked so hard for the day. So darn hard. Not.

    So have you met Anne Harwell otherwise known as Annechovie on her super cool blog?

    Anne is a talented artist that creates the most beautiful pieces. Watercolors and ultra cool quote prints.

    She has a wonderful way with color and a fabulous sense of style.

    I have been an admire of Anne for quite a while and finally ordered some of her prints from her Etsy shop. I was so excited when they arrived last week along with the sweetest note thanking me for the support. I couldn’t wait to run out and get frames for my prints. Here they are hung in my living room. Now I just need new curtains, maybe some throw pillows. All in due time…


    I heart them!

    Check out Anne at her blog here and at her Etsy shop here.

    Thanks Anne.
    Best,
    Kwana
  • art,  artists,  my view,  writing,  writing life

    Plot Light

    Howdy Peeps! Good day to you all.
    Check out this chandelier that I spied on my trip to the MoMA with PVE. Isn’t it wild and don’t you love it? I sure do and can’t get it out of my wacky head.


    It’s by German designer Ingo Maurer done in 1997. The “Zettel’z is a grand chandelier where the Bohemian crystal drops are substituted by scribbled paper notes from some incurable romantic’s desk. The light shines through the paper mobile. In this work Maurer plays with traditional approaches to chandelier manufacture, using precious and semi-precious materials.”

    “The truth is found between the lies”

    I like to think of it as a great plotting tool. Wouldn’t it be a fun way to plot out a story? You can arrange and rearrange the scenes while letting the light shine through to show you the way. Just be careful to not get burned!

    Best,
    Kwana

  • artists,  interviews,  jack,  PVE

    Portrait of the Artist

    What’s Jack up to? He’s just doing his Monday chill thang. Enjoying ruling the house once again.

    You may have wondered about my cool banner above. Well, it was designed by a wonderful artist and my very dear friend, Patricia Van Essche. I just love how she illustrated me way more fashionable than I really am! What a good friend. Wink.


    I’m one that believes God brings certain people into your life for a reason. Now when I first met Patricia over 15 years ago, as a young girl starting out in fashion, there was no way I would know that so many years later we’d still be fast friends. But that’s what happened. I guess the fact that Patricia was the first, even before my doctor, to inform me that I was having twins sealed the deal!
    Patricia is a a wife, mother of a beautiful daughter and awsome teen twin boys and as you will see here an amazing artist. She can be checked out here at her studio PVE Design or at her blog for her daily thoughts.

    Over the years Patricia has done quite a few wonderful works for me. One of my favorites was the gift she have me of my moving cards where she illustrated my house, truly showing it as the house of my dreams. For the longest time when friends pulled up to the house they were amazed that it really was the house on the card!

    I’m also the proud owner of this lovely “rose” oil painting by Patricia. Yep, I’m starting a collection!

    Being a busy mom and trying to live her dream like so many of us I thought Patricia would be great to interview. Here are a few of her thoughts on art, life and knitting it all together…

    1. It’s a long way from Louisville to Broadway. Is being an artist something you always knew you’d do? How did you get your start?

    Always, loved creating an artful world. My mother always instilled in us to use our talents, all 7 of us. To never be bored and my father had a strong work ethic. They will be celebrating their 60th wedding Anniversary so dedication and commitment comes naturally. If you want something and you love it, one must work at it and it evolves over time.

    2. Whether it be paper or canvas, the blank page can be a scary thing. Where do you get your inspiration?
    Often being scared or on the edge is what it takes, it requires a certain risk, because art is subjective and there are many opinions but I still get a rush when people look at it and say, “Wow” that is amazing and then I say – well, I guess it’s ok, part of me says I can do it better. Inspiration comes all the time, perhaps that was learned – to appreciate everything.

    3. We both know that art and fear seem to go hand in hand, so what made you take a leap of faith and step out on your own?
    Being fortunate to have worked for the best, and then realizing that I had a unique vision and style that it was just time for me to do it for me. It took courage to realize that I was the artist, copier, mail-gal, secretary, accountant, pr agent, all rolled in one and faith, naturally!

    4. As busy wife and mother how do you find the time to do it all and still make it look so effortless?
    Like a mother bird feeds her baby birds, it is only natural to protect –feed – nourish and then push them to fly. My mother always says, “never do for them, what they can do for themselves. I have had to learn to allow help along the way. I also love to help and that gives me strength. We all need and want to be independent but we also need to work interdependently.
    5. Who are you some of your art and style icons?
    Real People, like you with dreams.

    6. Awww!!! Don’t make me cry. Where do you want to go in the future with your art? Paint us a picture. Ha! I couldn’t resist. Sorry.
    Realizing that we are all only here for a short while, I want the future to be one of harmony, bright, pure, peaceful, no war, no disease, no suffering – everyone working towards a common goal to realize we are all here now for only a moment. My painting would be free, loose, and playful.
    Thanks so much for the interview, Patricia and for being a wonderful friend!

    Patricia is currently doing custom work for clients, be it a home sketch, portrait or still life. So if you have a hankering for a special gift for someone or a treat for yourself, please be sure to check her out. You won’t be disappointed.

    Best,
    Kwana