Saturday, March 9, 2013

Featured Blogger: Donney Downey


Donna Downey

There are 3 blogs that stand strong in my mind, that inspired me to find my creative side that I had lost over the years. I remember reading these blogs...all were young women taking their passion and making a career of it


Ali Edwards



Alicia Paulson

 I am going to feature them in the next few weeks.

I would like to start with Donna Downey...her blog is entitled "Simply Me".  I met Donna a week ago for the first time. I attended three classes taught by her. She is talented beyond words,  down to earth, and a great teacher. 

My favorite thing on her blog is the Inspiration Wednesday. There she paints a page in her journal every week. So inspiring! Here is a recent example.

I have been following her since she was a scrapbooker. Bought a couple of her books on crafting with photos. Seems like I have watched her children grow up, watch Donna grow as an worldwide known artist, and watched her & her adorable husband form a strong business team.



Be sure to follow Donna on her blog and every Wednesday for Inspiration Wednesday videos. The great thing about her online workshops is that there is not time limit and you can continue to use this forever at your own pace.


She also does Collage Mondays. Lots going on at her blog, website, online store, and studio in North Carolina. Check it out! And keep an eye on her class schedule to see when she'll be in your area. If you never taken one of her classes in person, you really should treat yourself to as many as you can. You won't be sorry.

I cannot say enough good things about Donna.  She is a wonderful teacher, sharing her skills with everyone she encounters.  Now, please take some time and go check out her blog.


Photobucket

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

“The only time I feel alive is when I’m painting.”
- Vincent van Gogh
This past weekend I took classes from the famous Donna Downey. I have followed this gal for years on her blog and felt like I knew her personally. She was an absolute joy, Great teacher, down to earth, and totally fun to be around.

The classes were held at My Heart's Fancy a wonderful store in Oklahoma City. This was my first visit to the shop, it is packed full of great stamps, stencils and paint supplies. If you are in the area you should check it out. 

The first class I took was Paint like an Artist. This was a canvas painting strictly using stencils. Using stencils (lots and lots of them) and acrylic paints I learned how to use color to create depth and texture.  Then the class learned how to isolate pieces of your background design to build your design in the foreground. Here is my painting below with the stencil of the lotus flower in the middle.  
Next class was using pan pastels. we learned about the tools, as well as how to sketch, draw and transform simple designs into dynamic and colorful pieces of art. This was my first time to try using pan pastels. They were a little intimidating, but I am going to continue playing with them. 
My favorite class was the last one...the class was entitled, "she is strength" poppy collage. It consisted of creating a beautiful, textural piece of artwork celebrating strength and beauty.
It was a great weekend with my traveling buddy, my art sister, Sheryl.  So glad we went, it was a great escape for the weekend.


Photobucket

GreatThings are Planned for 2024!

 2024 started off with Dave being honored as Chisholm Trail Art Council's Ambassador Award Recipient at the 2024 Area Arts Hall of Fame ...