simply me

inspiration wednesday + video

some days i think, "ugh, stupid inspiration wednesday! maybe i should just skip this week." then i remember that if i only show the "happy place!" pages and the pages i love that it would really not be a true account of my journey as an artist.

so today i bring you the crappy day side of inspiration wednesday! :)

supplies used:

• inspiration journal
• hydrus watercolor
• liquitex gesso
• ideology tissue paper
• glitz design tape
• "wild geranium" stamp
• "empowered words" stamp set
• walnut stain distress ink pad
• vintage photo distress ink pad
• foam blending tool
• enamel accents
• 1" flat simply simmons brush
• helmar 450 quick dry
• collage pauge
• date stamp
• stazon
• heat gun

collage monday

used up most of the letters now its time to use up the numbers!

this collage was mostly made from the bits of scrap left on my table from the projects before it.
the background is one of those large sheets of patterned paper from Paper Source

this page just makes me feel good..a good ole collaged mess of happy!

use up your number letters this week!

20 - 70% when you shop online this weekend!

{discount excludes online and studio workshops}

plus additional 25% off on melissa frances bags 

AND

get an additional 20-50% off all SALE items!!

don't miss out on the HUGE savings all weekend long

shop online now

the "Altered Brush project" - more brushes to share

donna downey studios ART CRAWL tonight

from 7-10 PM

meet featured Artist Rosa Murillo, shop the street lined with artisian vendors, enjoy the LIVE music, food and drinks!

check out our artisians

Rose Beau Designs Jelbel Little Birdie Artisanal Soaps & Body Products Bermuda E.N.D. Jewelry Designs Yappy Hour Bakery AmeZarCreations By Pascale Salahie The Suburban Outlaws A Notch Above Designs Buttercup's Bottlecaps

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

i thought we would have a ton more brushes returned over the past couple weeks, there are still over 200 brushes out there...i cant wait to see them (hint, hint, lol)

check out the 5 newest additions to the wall, as well as, previous brush posts here OR follow my Pinterest board of all the brushes here.

altered brush by cheryl waters

altered brush by erin dufrane

altered brush by birgit koopsen
brush by j. ludo

altered brush by lise pederson

if you haven't already, join in today!

"The Altered Brush Project"

display your creativity, market your skills, join the art collaboration and own a place in the studio.

1. Purchase one of our brushes & a spot on our wall. For your purchase you will receive one of our unfinished paintbrushes, space to display your altered brush and market yourself in the studio (price includes the cost of shipping).
2. Alter the brush anyway your creative spirit takes you. They can be as simple or elaborate as you like NOTE: do not obstruct the hole in the handle so that it can be hung on the wall
3. Sign and date the back of the brush giving it your artists’ signature!
4. Attach your personal calling card (business card size) with any information about yourself you feel comfortable sharing that hangs through the hole in the brush handle
5. Mail or return the brush to the studio:

donna downey studios
501 s old statesville rd.
huntersville, nc 28078

i will share pictures of every brush we get back and how they look on the walls as the collaborative art installation grows!

Join "the Altered Brush Project" collaboration TODAY!!

US Artists $15        International Artists $20

inspiration wednesday + video & bonus video

thought it might be fun to record inspiration wednesday from 2 angles this week. the last 8 min of todays video are the time lapse of me creating via computer cam.

hope you enjoy!

watch this weeks video...

supplies used:

• inspiration journal
• GOLDEN glass bead gel
• GOLDEN quinacridone magenta fluid acrylic
• GOLDEN permanent violet dark fluid acrylic
• GOLDEN green gold fluid acrylic
• GOLDEN Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold
• GOLDEN regular gel matte
• liquitex gesso
• enamel accents
• palette knife
• palette paper pad
• 1" flat simply simmons brush
• black india ink
• helmar 450 quick dry
• date stamp
• stazon
• heat gun

collage monday

so many layers, not even sure which ones came first anymore!
what i can tellyou i am using up my stash of rub-ons and stickers.

layered in there are some hambly, some luxe, and a whole bunch of random black alphabets.




the quote reads, " believe in yourself & all that you are. know that there is something inside you greater than any obstacle." as you can see i ran out of letters, the right side says "be great."

keep using up that stash!!

"looking ahead" - a new canvas

60 x 40" canvas entitled "looking ahead"

i've been working on this piece since we got back from europe on monday. i woke up at 5 am and just started slinging paint around.

love all the colors filling the canvas background it is hard to see from the photo but there are dozens of subtle nuances in the color as it cascades down the canvas
then i started in with the india ink. letting it drip to form the stems of the trees and the poppies
then adding all the textural elements, color and dimensional aspects giving the piece some life.

i used EVERY red and brown i have, as well as a couple of yellows to create the colors of the poppies

i had most of it complete and then i sat and stared at it for the past 3 days.

i couldnt figure out what it needed, but i knew it wasn't done

lots of layers of messy edging in red, turquoise an gray...my favorite alphabet stencil and a not so quick trip to the hardware store for the 3 numbers and voila, canvas complete!

i love the feeling that a finished piece of art gives me...i can ride that high all week!

october "CANVAS CREATE" online workshop!

 

mixed media mmimics stained glass!

original 18 x 24" 

download  your video & start creating today!

armed with a hot glue gun and oil pastels this dynamic and easy technique mimics the look of stained glass. limited by only the depths of your imagination (and the number of hot glue sticks you have on hand) i will walk you step-by-step through the creative process of laying down the design, using and blending oil pastels and finally setting the artwork on your finished piece.

...and just in time for the holidays, this technique is a super fun way to get the whole family involved in the gift giving this year!

here are a couple of smaller pieces (8x10") i create with the kids in our classes at the studio

instructional video workshop only $25

download  your video & start creating today!

inspiration wednesday + video

started with a paper ruffle and lots of new tapes...wanted to play with some new stuff today!

watch this weeks inspiration journal pages in progress...

 

supplies used:

• inspiration journal
• liquitex gesso
• bazill pleted paper ruffle
• MT/washi tapes
• 2-part tag
• basicgrey rub-ons
• vintage photo distress ink
  
• black soot distress ink
• black india ink
• collage pauge
• "empowered words" stamp set
• 1" flat simply simmons brush
• helmar 450 quick dry
• date stamp
• stazon
• heat gun

collage monday

ABSOLUTELY, WITHOUT A DOUBT MY MOST FAVORITE COLLAGE MONDAY PAGE I HAVE EVER DONE!
so many happy colors...i unloaded a whole package of more orange alphabet stickers i found (still no idea why i have so many?)
layered some gesso over them and started dropping paint!

spritzed the paint drops with water and holy hell...HAPPY PLACE!!

use all the colors in your box today!!