Express Yourself

When it comes to painting, at least as far as I'm concerned, the most important thing the artist can do is "Express Yourself".  With each stroke of the brush, with each color you choose, hidden words and phrases it's the artists job to express what he/she is feeling so when the piece is viewed that feeling can be felt by those viewing it.

A little bit about my process:

Hidden words~things I believe in.

~ I almost always start a painting by choosing my color palette, it's from that that I draw a good deal of my inspiration. Color speaks to me, I know that may sound strange to you but hey I'm an artist and I'm allowed to be strange. :D I have always loved bright, bold colors, right from the time I was wee little. By choosing the colors first it helps me express myself  by setting the mood and emotion for the piece. I usually work with three complimentary colors and one or two accenting colors.

A collage of words and
phrases convey the over
all feeling.

~ Next I decide my subject, which if you know my work, most often a female. A friend recently asked me why I always paint women... I pondered this for a long while. My answer; there is great strength, wisdom, and emotional integrity in women. Women are the backbone of society. We raise the children with love and teach them to be strong, independent adults who hopefully will go on to contribute something wonderful with the world.  When a child has been failed by their parents, if he parents withhold love and compassion, if the child had not been allowed to express who they are, that child usually grows up to have inner struggles. As adults they must seek out wise friends to guide them, as much as we must seek them out and become their "Angels".

That's what I try to convey with my art. My angels have hidden messages, quotes, and words of love and inspiration.
~ The final part of my process is adding the words, quotes and or phrases to the art. What feelings do I want to express from my painting? What message does my angel want to convey to the viewer? I draw from my own experiences, from friends and from moving stories people have shared with me.

"A Promise to Keep" 12x12
Mixed Media on Canvas

There you have it, that's how things usually go in my studio. But, then there are times when my inner voice guides my hand and before I know it a painting has transpired before my eyes. As was the case with, "A Promise to Keep". The sketch of the woman came to life on the canvas and it was almost as if she told me to choose the colors. Like I said, I'm and artist and weird things transpire with us artisty people. When these things happen I don't argue with my creative muse, at this point I'm just along for the ride and I can't lie.... what a wonderful ride it is.

So, no matter how you choose to express yourself, embrace it, cherish it and share it with those you love and for all the world to see. It's a gift and it's not for you to decide whether it's good enough or not. As a part of you it's perfect and pure and beautiful, when you accept that you and it will blossom into your true and authentic self.
Thank you for listening to my ramblings.
Much Love,
Danine

If you like these paintings please visit my etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/PrairieMrozArt
All featured art on this blog is original work done by Danine Mroz All rights reserved. No copies or reproduction with out the written consent of Ms. Mroz

Find your Passion

Today, doing what you love, being grateful and embracing the inner joy associated with the work you love.

"Love what you do and do what you love."
Whether that may be art, music, singing, sports, journalism, stock trades or what have you, the passion for it creates love which in turn makes this World a more beautiful place to live. I suggest that if you are currently in a crap-tacular job that you hate; either quit it right now and find a better one OR start a hobby that will fill you with JOY! When you're filled with a passion  for life and all that you do in it, there comes an energy  from within you, pulsing from you, drawing good things to you. Find it! Recognize it! Cherish it!
My passions are the things I often write about in my art-journals. They inspire me to continue to create and fuel me with their positive energy. If you don't already have something in your life that fuels this passion ask yourself; "What did I love doing when I was 5, 12, 15?" "What does my inner child want to do today?" Be playful and creative and just see what happens next. Write about how you feel during different activities and see if a new hobby is just waiting to happen. (Side note: you can learn almost anything via YouTube) You're never too old, or too young. Nothing is too silly. Above all else, never stand in your own way of being great.

What inspires you to create? What are the things you're passionate about? What gives you energy?

Write 5 things that you're grateful for each day. OR Before falling asleep at night say them to yourself.

"Joy, Love and Happiness are feelings that multiply 3 fold when you share them with others."
Much love to you all. Thank you for sharing in my art journey.

Danine Mroz
Prairie Mroz Art

Kin

The Day 8 Seed Journal challenge for Milliande the on-line community I belong to is ~ "Seed Kin"
My first thought was Acorns or maybe Pine Cones... but after a bit more thought I settled on Cattails. I'm very drawn to and have a strange connection to Cattails. I love how velvety soft they are and how they bend in the wind, strong and flexible. They grow in clusters all along the ditches where I grew up, much like me and my large family of 9, standing strong as one unit. So simple, yet so profoundly complex. The Cattails have thousands of seeds that lay dormant till the fall, when the Cattail turns from brown to white and releases it's seeds. These seeds then  spread far and wide as the strong wind blows them free of the tall reeds they once called home and new life is born next spring. Simple, strong and yet so elegant.

Journal entry ~ I grew up poor. Really poor. So poor that I didn't even know I was poor. I grew up in the country, the 6th of 7 children, out in the country where my siblings and I had to make up our own entertainment. We had one TV with three channels... so needles to say we spent a great deal of time out doors, playing various ball games, tag or just hanging out. I remember going for long, long walks with one or more of my siblings down our dusty, gravel roads, kicking rocks, watching birds or the clouds flying by, and picking Cattails from the ditches. Summer time we were the Kings knights fighting off dragons or battling one another for the hand of a fair maiden. In the fall we would pluck the seeds from the Cattails and send them off into the wind to fly to far away places.

Those were much simpler times. We didn't have much but we had each other, lots of love, and the type of friendship that only blood, "Seed Kin" can have. All grown now, I too have been blown here and there by the winds of time taking root and creating my own life. I have many fond memories from my childhood. I still love going for long walks and spending time with my siblings. Life has been very good to me... Like the Cattail with it's abundance of seeds I feel I too have been blessed with abundance in life.

Always remember where you came from. Cherish it, learn from it and move on.
Cheers,
Danine

Reality Bits & Bites

Today I decided to step outside my comfort zone a little. Though I love drawing faces and sketching people the painting of a face is another story for me. It's a bit of a mystery to me and that really bites. Then there is the background... what the heck do I do with the background? The background always leaves me a bit frustrated. But, then I begin and I let my intuition take over and everything is ok with the Universe once again.

So  today I began my art journey by watching a couple Pam Carriker youTube videos on how to add portraits into your art Journal. Miss Carriker is a beautiful artist and gives amazing instruction (in case you're interested). But, her  videos are meant to entice you to sign up for her on-line art classes... I just don't have the patience or the cash flow to do that right now which also bites. Soooooo, I watch the video a few times through and do my best. In fact I feel that I learn a lot by doing it this way and the final product is more mine than if I took some on-line course.
The bit I find interesting is how during the process, I go from liking what I have created in the beginning, to not liking it in the middle and back to liking it by the end. Kind of a strange bit...

This is my process:

1) Draw a face and add some shading. You can also use an old book,

 or music sheets, etc to draw on,so you will see some 

of the words peaking through. 

(If you use a book or separate paper to draw your face, 

cut it out and mod podge it to your journal.)

2)Mix some Titan Buff with a little water and gel medium and paint over

 the face. While waiting for it to dry begin to add some soft colors 

to your background and some collage.

3)Blend two different skin tones into the titan buff. 

One to give you a high light and another to create a low light, 

then apply them accordingly to the areas of your portrait.

4)Do a little stamping or writing on your background to start creating depth.

5)Keep working your face and background until you have your desired affects.

Be patient with yourself. I find it useful to walk away for a bit and then come back to see my work with fresh eyes.
Live happy, Be creative, and Love Yourself!
Danine

How to Create a Fantastic Art Journal page

When I first began doing art journals I had no clue as to where to start or how to layer my work to give me the best results. I have watched countless tutorials, read several books and viewed many art journal pages, this is the process I have come up with "How to Create a Fantastic Art Journal page".

1) Begin by picking your palate. I usually work with three main colours and versions of them plus black & white. If you're a beginner it's a great idea to invest in a colour wheel, one that tells you which are complimentary colours etc.
Some of my favorite colour combo's are
- Black, White, & Red
- Pink, Yellow & White
- Teal, Cream & Purple
- Fuchsia, Lime Green, & Orange
- Brown, Sage & Rose
- Orange, Yellow & Blue
- Lime Green, Black & Hot pink
I hope you play with colour a little to see what colours appeal to you. Or go through some magazines and just pull pages that you are drawn to to find your colour palette.

2) Begin by applying a wash or glaze in the lightest colour. Start layering come colour, shades of existing colour and textures on top. Use you brushes, fingers, bubble wrap, insides of coffee holders, sponges, plastic bags, etc.
Paint Glaze= 1 part paint-2-3 parts water-1 part acrylic glazing medium Wash= paint + water to thin
*Note- always let each application DRY before adding another colour, unless you want the colours to blend. Too many colours blending together will make for a muddy looking page.

3) Add some texture and interest to your page by stamping some text, musical notes, or other interesting subject to the page. You can also put your personality into the page by drawing a picture of your own then painting it. I have also added decorated, stamped or coloured tissue paper at this point.

4) At this point you can begin adding collage or altered collage images to your page. You can select a theme or just use random pictures out of old magazines. You may also want to add some three dimensional pieces to your work; paper or cloth flowers, brads, beads, feathers, etc.

5) Next I add a bit more paint, often white or gesso in areas that I want to mute out and give a bit of pop. Or I will add low-lights in a darker colour or deeper shade of a colour that is already there to create more depth.

6) Doodle time. I keep pictures of doodles around to give me inspiration on my doodles. Just play and be creative, don't over think it.

7) Journal- a poem, your wishes and dreams, a letter to yourself or another loved one, song lyrics... it's your journal, what do you want to say?

At this point your pretty much done, you can always doodle a bit more or add some more highlights with a white gel pen  if you like, but that's it. I hope you have enjoyed making some art.

Cheers,
Danine

Seed Journal

Good Morning, Afternoon, and Good evening to one and all. I have been quite the busy little bee as of late. Not only did I finish my travel journal; I created a base for yet another journal using all recycled materials, finished putting my table together (ya, the part came in the mail), I also finished days 4-6 of the "Seed Journal" challenge that I'm participating in on the Milliande community I belong to.

So I thought I would share them with you all. OR ya'll if you're from the south.

 Day 4~Seed Wings.... I call her Sweet Pea

I love my sweet, fresh from the garden, peas. 

They are nature's perfect snack, 

complete with it's own neat wrapper you eat.

She is sweet to the core and spreads love and joy where every she goes.

Day 5~Scattered Seeds... The Gardener

Much like my Mother did, and still does, 

she tends the garden with much love.

Sewing seeds and making sure there is growth.

Day 6~Pomegranate... Pomegranate Zentangled

Sweet, juicy, delicious and oh so amazingly good for you.

Hope you like them.
Cheers,

Danine

Cup of tea?

I recently visited my friend Pat in Nova Scotia, Canada. She lives in a large house on the side of a mountain in the Annapolis Valley. She has an amazing view of the valley below and her property is breathtakingly beautiful with flowers, fruit trees, and many flowering trees. We spend a lot of time outside sitting in her gazebo or lounging by the fire under a star lit night.

On one bright morning as we prepared for the day with our morning cup of tea Pat asked if I would like to try some Rose Hip tea.  She then explained how she had picked and dried the Rose Hips herself from the tree in her yard, all about their health properties and even how the birds enjoy them in winter.
I sat feeling very honored and privileged to be receiving such a gift. It reminded me of our friendship, with it's bright protective shell and how it weathered all seasons. The tiny pod reminded me that it's the small things we do for one another that make the huge differences.It's amazing nutritional values reminded me of how Nurturing a great friend can be. I always feel so refreshed and recharged after a visit with Pat. She simply has a way of knowing just what to say or do. She is a "Nurturer".

So, Day 2's Seed Journal entry for "Seed Pods" is Rose Hips & Nurture. I dedicate this to my dear friend Pat House and that beautiful cup of tea.

 Mediums used ~ Water colors, calligraphy ink, nibs, and pen, black sharpie and white gel pen.

Titled ~ "Nurture"
Journaling ~ Nurture One another; Love with your Heart wide open. Share a cup of tea.
Nurture your soul. Laugh & Smile often. Nurture your Creativity. Lend a helping hand.
Nurture friendship. Listen intently. Hold a hand. Hug your children.

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

Inner Excavation

Life is full of many incredible experiences, what we choose to focus on determines our overall view of the world. We can focus on the good, the bad and yes even the ugly... I hope to inspire you to see the good in all.

I recently picked up a fabulous book at Chapters, "inner EXCAVATION, Explore Your Self Though Photography, Poetry and Mixed Media". As a mixed media artist this book popped out at me from the shelf and spoke to me right away. Poetry though?, my Ego chimed in... "photography maybe but, seriously you're not a poet." Thankfully I dismissed my ego's reaction seeing it for what it is, fear of the unknown and fear of change. The ego hates change. When we embrace the fact that we are not our Ego's we can move past it, embrace change and learn to grow into the Authentic beings we are destined to be.

I encourage you to pick up this wonderful book and follow along as I embark on each exercise. Lets produce some beautiful art, photo's and poetry together.

Chapter 1: I begin
My first attempt at poetry in 20ish yrs ....

I am

Words of a Song,

Whispers of gray,

A gentle touch,

Mother,

Lover,

Sister,

Earth Dweller.

I am!

This is an interactive blog so I hope you try this exercise too. Create a poem about yourself;

• I am...
• I stand...
• I am...
• I feel....
• I see a woman/man...
• I hear..

Till next time,

Love and Laughter,

Danine