simply me

Dina Wakley INSPIRES...

i have been counting down the days until Dina came to teach her inspired weekend at the studio. i am so enamored by her art, color palette and especially her faces.

i have never been able to draw faces.

i have even boasted that i dont like drawing faces...but lately i have been really curious as to how Dina made her whimsical brush stroke style ladies.

when she called the group over to demonstrate i was right there. what she taught made 100% sense to me in theory, but i had yet to try my hand at the application of what she had taught.

yesterday, i took out my "MEGA Moleskine" journal and applied what Dina taught me in my journal.

it started like this...

i used my new Montana markers on the background and then sketched my face with a graphite crayon

i then gessoed in her face

then she got weird looking as i added color and hair

ok this brings home the point that it takes practice, not sure where i was going with the hair?

in attempt to cover the mountain of hair, i added bubbles of moulding paste

then some india ink and words. at this point i feel a bit defeated. i dont like it and i step away for an hour.

so i start to doodle and add the sticker title. I STILL HATE IT!

so i take out the gesso and palette knife and start adding layers of gesso and green gold over the left side of the page. ADD some joint tape and the circular TP tube stamps of pink and a final one over the left eye and i finally found some peace.

i want to practice what Dina taught me and find myself in the process. you may see some more faces in my future maybe event tomorrow for Inspiration wednesday. i have a lot to learn and DINA YOU ROCK for giving me the confidence to believe i COULD DRAW FACES!!!

"INSPIRED PanPastel ARTIST" event highlights

a full weekend of creative empowerment, beautiful artwork & good times

and it all began with a bird.

a simple exercise in color and placement without drawing.

i think i blew their minds...they were shocked at what they could do with a couple pencil strokes and color.

then, we moved to the aspen trees.

building our tool knowledge and mastering the art of the "press & flick"

next creating the colorful door canvas.

adding more media and surfaces into the mix as the students built their repertoire of techniques.

all of this building up to the final projects...

create a piece(s) of artwork from a photo or artists work you love.

they thought i was crazy when i told them they could do it without ever having to draw,

but in the end they were believers!

i am so proud of this amazing group of ladies, they inspire me!

{for more candid event photos click here}

and if i was going to ask the ladies to stretch past their comfort zones, i had better be able to push beyond mine. i have never painted people...she was my first attempt. 

 inspired by the original artwork of Kristina Laurendi Havens

original photo via etsy

the next INSPIRED PanPastel artist weekend

will be Aug. 8-11, 2013

i cannot wait to see you there!!

registration NOW OPEN

Dina Wakley retreat in the NEW STUDIO!!!

 

DINA WAKLEY is coming to the STUDIO!!!

i just think dina is amazing! she is free-spirited, FUN, incredibly talented and learning from her is like sitting down to create with your best friend you have know forever.

i learned so much about techniques just watching her in action at the studio and i promised myself i would sit down with her this time and LEARN to draw faces. (i secretly covet that skill of hers)

the EXPRESSIVE ARTIST weekend

join us at the STUDIO April 4-7, 2013

and learn to work in Dina's signature style using bold color, layers and tons of creative expression

the best part, included in your registration is ALL the supplies and food for our 4 day retreat!!

see more of the details here

seating is limited, so dont miss out on this fantastic event!

register today!

but before you go a few of my favorite highlights from Dina's visit last year!

empower yourself & get "INSPIRED"!

Feb 7-10, 2013 (only 3 seats left)

PanPastel ART, mediums, sufaces, techniques, tools and so much more!

immerse yourself in the art of PanPastel in this 4 day workshop with donna downey. donna will share her unique product knowledge and practical and "outside of the box" techniques for using PanPastels through demonstration and hands-on application of this exciting new media. each day you will be introduced to new surfaces, tools, substrates, and textures building a working repotoire of techniques as you create you create several beautiful finished pieces PanPastel artwork.

because drawing is not the purpose of this weekend, donna will teach you several simple ways to colorize, design an transfer images to create the basic foundation of your work. Then building in bold colorful layers transforming blank backgrounds into dimensional art pieces playing with color, value and placement. taking it a step further, day two is about incorporating mixed-media elements and mediums into your PanPastel work.

ALL supplies & meals will be provided.

register now

April 4-7, 2013

Join Dina Wakley for an expressive weekend where we leave our self-criticisms at the door and open our souls to let the art guide us into powerful directions. We'll be making both a canvas and a journal structure, moving from one to the other throughout the weekend. We'll build up background layers, remove layers, and build them again to create complex and interesting surfaces. Then we'll add images with a "magic" pencil. Trust me, you don't have to know how to draw to use this pencil. I will show you tips & tricks for using it, and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish. We'll draw artsy birds, and also create free-form images that we will examine and then turn into meaningful elements on our pages. We'll be using gesso, acrylic paints, modeling paste, stencils, and spray inks to fill our art with color and expression all weekend long.

ALL supplies & meals will be provided.

registration just opened, register now

Apr 18-21, 2013

Inspired. Studio Workshops are a four-day immersion in mixed-media art and art journaling. This creative weekend is filled with the process driven exploration of creative mediums and applications in an intimate, supportive environment, challenging students to expand their creativity through the exploration of new artistic methods and mediums.

Inspired. Studio Workshops are all about the experience of exploring the artist in you, as you step out and broaden your definition of personal creativity. The goal of the workshop is to feed your passion to create and express yourself through multiple mediums. All levels of crafters are welcome as the event celebrates the unique artistic vision each attendee brings with them.

the weekends are boutique style and cater to pamper you with good food and good fun! If the idea of learning a new and inspired process and discovering new artistic methods to give a new platform to your personal artistic voice and vision appeal to you, then these are the events for you

we will focus on prep & assemble of a handmade journal created especially for you. In your journals, you will spend the weekend exploring new techniques for applying, layering and blending Golden fluid acrylic paints, grounds and mediums, as well as, incorporating and building mixed-media and collage elements into your work. then, working with PanPastels, explore techniques for application, transfer, layering and dimension building. rounding out this creative weekend by carving your own custom stamps and learning about basic technique, tools, repeat pattern and tricks for making unique designs.

No drawing or painting skills required. Class is open to all skill levels and you will receive personalized one-on-one guidance throughout the workshop.

ALL meals, supplies, media, tools and surfaces provided.

registration just opened register now

for more information about ALL of our "inspired event" weekends click here

for payment plan inquires please email bill@donnadowney.com

so many ways to be inspired...

 Internationally INSPIRED  online event

a self paced, technique packed video course that takes you on a process driven journey through 5 international artists building of a mixed media album.

it is an AMAZING artistic journey!

birgit's book & bright colors just make me happy! you will learn how to make her complete book, as well as 4 other artists'

5 complete workshops for the price of 1

only $65

register and begin your workshop now

Inspired PanPastel Artist  studio event

immerse yourself in the art of PanPastel in this 4 day workshop with donna downey. donna will share her unique product knowledge and practical and "outside of the box" techniques for using PanPastel through demonstration and hands-on application of this exciting new media. each day you will be introduced to new surfaces, tools, substrates, and textures building a working repertoire of techniques as you create you create several beautiful finished pieces PanPastel artwork.

4 creative and pampered days

ALL food & supplies included

$625

registration now open

 

{august preview - each months canvas is launched on the 15th of every month}

CANVAS CREATE monthly video series

self paced video how to every month with start to finish detail that takes you step-by-step through creating a finished canvas piece. Artwork and techniques change very month, so try one, try a few or try them all...they never expire!

each instructional video only

$25

tap into the creative mojo and create a canvas with me today!

 

PanPastel video series

build a basic understanding and working knowledge of this new exciting medium. this self-paced series is structured so that you can build your skill level, color palette and technique as you progress through each video.

5 videos in the series - videos never expire

each video only

$25

get started using PanPastels today!

NEW workshops at the studio

from intro to drawing, acrylics, color theory and more!!

check out the new workshops starting this month!

 

a BRAND NEW online experience!

One of the questions I get asked most often is, “where is the best place that you have travelled to?” My answer is always the same…regardless of where in the world I am, it is the people and the relationships made that make a life long impact on me. That said, I have been blessed enough to travel the globe, meet and build relationships with other creatives like myself, see and experience cultures and be present as the common threads tied so many of these experiences together because no matter the native tongue of each country we all communicate our passion through ART.

Each country I have visited and culture brings a new and intrinsically unique spin on the creative process, impacting on not only design style but the availability of product. In the United States we are often spoiled by the immediacy in which we can acquire creative mediums and products, while other cultures are often, out of necessity, stretching their creativity by finding new inventive ways to use the products that they do have. Because I have been fortunate enough to create with and be introduced to so many amazingly talented people through my 10 years of travel, I wanted to bring these artists and a bit of their culture to a more global venue and I cannot think of anything more global than the internet.

I have asked 4 very talented artists to accompany me in this first workshop in the series. I shipped each artist a big box of my products and asked them to video record their creative process. For some this was their first time in front of the camera, for others it was old hat…their only instruction was that they had to use some part of every product in the box. With no limitations on their creative styles, additional products or finished result, the results were authentically beautifully representing each artist and showcasing their stylistic niches. I watched each artist create absolutely in awe of their creative process and how each artist transformed my products.

I have no doubt that you too will be just as blown away as I was watching them create.

this will be an experience like none other...as the world becomes just that much smaller and the talents from around the globe share with you their unique ideas as they each assemble dynamic mixed-media books step-by-step right in your own home.

each artist's video is approximately 1.5-2 hours in length and details their process from start to finish, allowing you to watch all the way through, create along side her or interpret her ideas in your own style.

registration opens JULY 15, 2012

and will be offered at an incredible price

$65

{5 workshops for the price of 1... incredible right!!!}

I am honored to introduce you to the artists in my new online workshop series Internationally INSPIRED.

anna dabrowska

warsaw, POLAND

cari fennell

new york, USA

nathalie kalbach

hamburg, GERMANY

birgit koopsen

winsum, THE NETHERLANDS

donna downey

north carolina, USA

inspired + the BIG 4-0 at the studio!

registration opens TODAY

for my INSPIRED ARTIST weekend

when: NOV 8-11, 2012

where: donna downey studios

            huntersville, NC

view schedule, area hotels, event fee

ALL FOOD AND SUPPLIES INCLUDED

also,

THE BIG 40!

is being taught for the first time at the studio on wednesday, june 13th from 4PM-9PM

{the night before Dina Wakely's Expressive Artist event weekend at the studio}

only a few seats left - sign up today!

6 x 8" art journal - Building Mixed-Media backgrounds

WARNING: THIS WORKSHOP MAY LEAD TO INSOMNIA CAUSED BY IDEA OVERLOAD :)

workshop description: Since I am now 40, I thought what better way to celebrate this new decade than by sharing my favorite top 40 tips, tricks and techniques for building better art journals and mixed-media backgrounds. Like all great things building a strong foundation or base for your ideas is important, mixed-media and art journaling are no different. This workshop is going to put all these ideas at your fingertips as you create your own personal reference book for mixed media backgrounds and techniques and fill the pages of your NEW art journal. Each student will receive and work in one of my newly released art journals. the journals heavyweight pages are perfect for layering, paints, inks, collages, PanPastels, paper, etc and I plan to do all that and more in this workshop!

We will build over 40 techniques and pages worth of ideas using several different wet and dry mediums filling one incredible idea book that will surely get your mind spinning with ideas!

supply list

I'm back + INSPIRED registration is NOW OPEN!

hi everyone!

we are back and getting into the swing of things again after our family's break from reality as we headed north to NJ/NYC just before christmas and then to a cabin in the mountains for our annual ringing in the new year fun just after christmas. 

  

it was an amazing break!

and i am also excited to announce that today we launch registration for INSPIRED!

the INSPIRED. ARTIST weekend

registration NOW OPEN!

Inspired. Studio Workshop is a four-day immersion in mixed-media art and art journaling. This creative weekend is filled with the process driven exploration of creative mediums and applications in an intimate, supportive environment, challenging students to expand their creativity through the exploration of new artistic methods and mediums.

everything will be provided for you including a ton of creative mediums, paints, tools, supplies, food...not to mention the INSPIRATION!

Inspired. Studio Workshop is all about the experience of exploring the artist in you, as you step out and broaden your definition of personal creativity. The goal of the workshop is to feed your passion to create and express yourself through multiple mediums. All levels of crafters are welcome as the event celebrates the unique artistic vision each attendee brings with them.

If the idea of learning a new and inspired process and discovering new artistic methods to give a new platform to your personal artistic voice and vision appeal to you, this is the workshop for you.

event limited to 20 students.

only 8 seats left!

sign up now!

only 4 more days!!

INSPIRED is almost here! YEEEEEAAAAH!!!!!

going C-R-A-Z-Y!

so much to do!

look at this picture the amazing cheryl carroway sent me, lol!

omg she is a saint! she so graciously volunteered to assemble and attach the ruffles onto each and every nametag!

working on part of the displays in my boxed filled garage

gotta head on over to the studio today to finish adding the grommets to the nametags, bind the handbooks and work on the welcome envelopes.

playing with an idea...

now that i am traveling again, i find that time on the plane helps me clear my head and really allows me the quiet time to collect ideas. in flight i take out my journal and simply purge my brain. it is a great practice and i once i started journaling i realized, i missed it.

every year i hand make the name tags for inspired. this year i wanted to do something really special. so i sketched out a couple ideas and this morning i began to execute them.

i love the fabric nametags, but i always struggle with how to get the names on them...then it hit me, duh i have an embroidery function on my sewing machine!

so this morning i set out to play around with the idea of embroidered names and RUFFLES!

i am using the new laura gunn fabric for the ruffles and it is PERFECT!

i am so flipping giddy over the way they are turning out. only 200+ more to go!