simply me

PanPastel 101 goes live at midnight!

  

PanPastel 101 goes live tomorrow! (Midnight tonight)

This downloadable video wokshop will be an introduction to PanPastels as a medium of color and will walk you through step by step as we explore the following key concepts.

* the palettes of color
* tools
* aplication
* layering techniques
* shading
* blending
* and fixing

we will be creating in a working journal as we experiment, document and explore this new medium. the journal will then become a resource as well as an integral part of the process as we progress through each workshop in the series.

supplies suggested for this workshop:

• PanPastel 101: custom set of 5 (White, neutral grey, turquoise, bright yellow green, diarylide yellow)
• Sofft sponge bars
• Sofft round sponge
• moleskine sketch (or other journal of your choice)
• crafters workshop Butterfly Meadow stencil
• crafters workshop Circle Grid stencil
• white eraser OR eraser pen
• krylon workable fixitif
• krylon matte finish

in progress is...done!

inspired by my time spent in alisa burke's class at inspired, i wanted to try my hand at creating my own fabric design. so with nothing but a ball point pen and a slab of canvas i began drawing a loose handed repeat poppy pattern.

i discovered the magic of jacquard's dye-na-flow in her class as well. it is simply the best colorant i have ever used on muslin and canvas. it doesnt bleed on dry fabric, it will only "flow" where you add moisture so painting with an aquabrush is perfect. this is only the turquoise dye-na-flow simply diluted out with water to create the color variance. LOVE!

then i started filling in the background with Scarlet Dye-na-flow

once the color was done i tossed the piece into the dryer to heat set the color (and because i have no patience to wait for it to dry!)

i began cutting up the large piece into smaller pieces for it's next transformation...the reason i started this process.

a pocket (with my special hoarded fabric lining!)

  

can you see it yet?

so awesome from start to finish...love the creative process. LOVE IT!

if i had put some make up on today i would have left my face in the photo...HA!, but it is a holiday!

happy memorial day!

god bless our troops and all those that have fought for our freedom!

 

Sponsor Spotlight: Red Lead Paperworks

If you love a sale, and I know you do - you better act quickly if you don’t want to miss this great weekend-only sale from the folks at Red Lead Paperworks  – check it out!

Look at all the cool products that just came in.........

 

 

And be sure to follow them on Facebook and on their blog for the latest product information and deals!

 

open studio night!

about an hour ago i began working on the make n take project for tonights OPEN STUDIO NIGHT.

i knew i wanted to use this awesome stamp by character constructions (i secretly call her "peep show girl") but then the idea got the better of me and i just started layering and having a blast with her.

i mean quite frankly i can think of several dozen things to put in that peep show window (many of them i tried, laughed and knew my husband would appreciate)

so for right now it is where she keeps her flower...pun intended!

if your local and want a creative night away from home, bring anything you feel like creating with and come hang out at the studio with me and create. we will be there from 6pm-midnight playing.

{supplies: harlequin 6x6 stencil, gesso, large tags, peep show girl, magnolia, glossy accents, enamel accents, watercolor crayons, golden iridescent gold fine, vintage photo distress stamp pad, stazon}

whoo hooo! i am on fire today!

i feel like i am being so productive today!

i mean really, is there anything more invigorating than feeling productive?

so far today i've...

1. finished taping and editing PanPastel 102 (LOL! what an awesome still shot). this second instalment of the 2-part beginner series should be ready to launch the week after 101.
2. went to barnes and noble to browse the aisles, grabbed a iced skinny vanilla latte and bought an awesome georgia o'keefe picture book called one hundred flowers on the bargin table.                                                                         
3. hired an incredible artist, jackie moffitt, for the studio and have been adding her workshops to the studio schedule. my talented web-guru, stewart is helping me create an interactive calendar for the website, but in the meantime i makeshifted this one.
   
4. packing up and mailing out my first sample prototypes for my new Prima release in january. (was too busy and missed the deadline for summer so i am going to have a big release in jan)                        
5. now i am working on my other idea for a workshop. here is a sneak peek at the very beginnings.

here's to having a great day!

inspiration wednesday + video

die-cut derby day!

not even sure what that means, but i am challenging you to gather your die-cuts, your die cut machines and punched shapes and see where they take you in your inspiration journal today!

do it, dont think about it, just let whatever creatively comes out happen!

watch the die-cuts flow, lol!

Untitled from donna downey on Vimeo.

supplies used:

• inspiration journal
• cricut - florals embellished
• cricut - street sign
• gesso
• golden green gold fluid acrylic paint
• helmar 450 quick dry
• golden gel medium
• book text
• bone folder
• golden titanium white airbrush paint
• baby wipes
• rotring art pen
• portfolio water soluable oil pastels
• small shipping tag
• tiny attacher
• date stamp
• stazon
• vintage photo distress ink pad
• foam blending tool

see you from 7-8:30 tonight at donna downey studios for inspiration wednesday!

if you havent signed up make sure you call 704.948.4627  asap to hold your spot!

the future's so bright...

i gotta wear shades (of color!)

so excited to announce that PanPastel has teamed up with me to bring you a new series in video workshops!

i just finished recording PanPastel 101 and will be available June 1st for immediate download.

this wokshop will be an introduction to PanPastels as a medium of color and will walk you through step by step as we explore the following key concepts.

• the palettes of color
• tools
• apllication
• layering techniques
• shading
• blending
• and fixing

we will be creating in a working journal as we experiment, document and explore this new medium. the journal will then become a resource as well as an integral part of the process as we progress through each workshop in the series.

watch a bit of the intro...

for each video workshop PanPastel is custom packaging palettes of color used in each.

check it out!!!

i am currently working on PanPastel 102, which will be the second of the 2 part intruduction in the series.

PanPastel 102 will go more in depth into building backgrounds, layering techniques, texture building, and mediums.

(should be available online soon after 101)

 

Summer Camp Class Winner!

Congratulations to comment #18 - Francine C! You have won a spot in The Green Frog Studio's Summer Camp Class! Please email your full name and email contact info to: Lotti@donnadowney.com.

Thanks to all the readers who posted such great comments - don't forget to register for camp, you'll love it!

Sponsor Spotlight: The Green Frog Studio

There is a new online class concept from my friends at The Green Frog Studio! 

***Summer Camp***

 

(classes available in French, English, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese)

Karine and Céline have created this project to bring you at-home inspiration this Summer! Whether you want to follow every single class or create at a self-paced rhythm, they will teach you new techniques, new color palettes, and new ways of designing your layouts!

There are Scrapbookers all around the world who haven’t had a chance to take real classes online, so Green Frog Studio decided on doing their class in FRENCH, ENGLISH, ITALIAN, SPANISH and PORTUGUESE.

Yes! 5 languages!

Scrapbooking is universal but not our language! So, whether you speak  French, English, Spanish, Italian or Portuguese, you’ll be able to sign up for our Summer Camp class! Isn’t that cool?

Class starts on June 28th and ends on August 28th 2011.

16 layouts made by Karine and Céline.

2 mini albums (one with Karine and one with Céline).

A workshop will be posted every Tuesday and its inspiration posted every Friday by Céline and Karine: two different layouts to inspire you twice as much! It’s up to you to choose which layout you’d like to make or if just make them both!

Mini album Class with Céline end of July.

Mini album Class with Karine end of August.

Techniques, ideas, color combos, design, sketches tested and approved by Céline and Karine.

Like its name says, the SUMMER CAMP online class will be SUMMER-themed: holidays, travels, family moments, time with friends, outdoors, water, and kids.

And best of all, one of my blog readers can win a spot in this Summer Camp simply by commenting on this post! For a second chance to win, post a link to this post on Facebook or Twitter before 10a.m. Saturday, it’s that easy! Good Luck!

 

canvas art apron in progress...

it's clearly no secret i am a bit poppy obsessed, but i am having so much fun with the artistry of this flower i just cannot stop.

this apron was the inspiration behind this weeks inspiration wednesday page.

here is the stages of the canvas apron i started working on the other day...

started with a basic pen sketch outlining the design.

then a bit of golden quinacridone red paint for the poppies

some golden green gold + sap green for the stems

golden cobalt teal for the background

and bone black for the poppy centers

this is where i left off...a bit satisfied and hesitant to add any more to it at this point.

it is not finished, but i sure do like looking at it!