Tomorrow I will be joining many others for a FREE on-line course with Strathmore.
I can't begin to tell you how over joyed I am to be taking this course. As this is my first course of any kind, aside from what I did in grade school or high school, and I'm thrilled beyond belief. There are three courses to choose from, you can do all three or pick the one you want. I will be starting with the Art Journal/Doodling course, of course. :D
I would love it if some of my followers would come and join me. It's free!
Hope to see you there.
www.strathmoreartist.com/workshop-reg.html.

Cheers,
Danine

Things to come!

The Stockings and tree are all put neatly back into their boxes for another year. The holiday feast and it's leftovers have been demolished. The kids are busy playing with new video's, reading new books (yes, my teenagers read), and chilln' with friends. Now it's nearly time for this Mama to buckle down and get back into the swing of her art work... But, not quite yet.
In the next few weeks I will be busy prepping, planning, and preparing for some pretty cool things for 2012.

I have decided to create theme days for my blog, please tell me what you think of these ideas:
Mixed Media Mondays- topics may include, art journaling, painting, or crafting.
Thrifty Thursdays- a journey for great art supply finds,  sale, places to find great deals, etc.
           OR
Free-Cycle Fridays- creating art from junk, recycled papers, things that would other wise be discarded and thrown away.

So those are the main ideas I have so far. Let me know what you think.
Have a Happy and Healthy 2012
See you in the New Year.

Peace and Love,

Danine

Joy-A Snow Angel

I had planned on creating this picture to give as my Holiday Card this year. But, my muse had other plans. I wasn't inspired earlier in the month and she didn't flow creatively from me until today. So, she may will have to wait till next year to grace your card.

Happy Holidays to one and all.

Happy Holidays

Tiss the Season for sharing laughter and love; making new memories; gathering with friends and family; and shedding the old unwanted habits.

This year my husband, the pilot, has to work on the 25 so we decided to celebrate our family day of unity on the 22nd. To us it doesn't matter which day you choose to celebrate or of which faith you happen to be, or if you are of any faith at all. The thing that matters is that there is love in your heart and that you share it with your fellow man.

I would love to hear from all of you what is your favorite part of the Holidays. OR perhaps your favorite tradition or NON-tradition. OR maybe even a funny/sad/heartfelt story you experienced this year or in years gone by.

I hope to connect with you this year.
Have a wonderfully ARTful New Year

Danine

So Green

As a new, older, artist I feel so GREEN.
The age on my birth certificate may reflect the number of years
I have been on this earth but in my heart and mind I still feel young
 and very child like, especially when I'm creating art.
My "Mother Earth Goddess" holds the world in her hands
cherishing, loving and protecting each and every one of her
creations.

At times I feel like both the parent and child. With so many techniques and things to learn I often find that the parent in me has to allow the child to just play and enjoy the process. Yet I often feel a bit frustrated with imperfection or the rate in which I progress... though it's that same imperfection that is what attracts me to many of my favorite mixed-media artists. 

So, if you're a newby like me, take your time. Give yourself permission to Play, Make Mistakes, and above all else enjoy each and every step of the way.

"Live, Laugh, Love" is one of my live mantras.
It reminds me to hold the ones I love close and cherish them
always; to not take myself so seriously; and to live in
the moment. Life is too short to have what if's and should
have's. So live the life you want and live it NOW, today.

Cheers,
Danine