i have taken monday and tuesday this week to just "be" as i like to call it.
no cameras,
no pressure,
just me, my paints and the canvases
a chance to reconnect with myself and see what spills on to the surfaces i am painting.
i can tell sometimes when the process of creating for consumption overshadows the process of creating to "breathe" and i just needed a couple days to "purge" so to speak.
i worked on blank canvases,
finished up some convases i had lying around in progress and i just went for it.
i placed a large piece of canvas on my studio floor so i could play and make a MESS!
i worked on and completed 4 pieces.
but then i remembered, way back in september i actually took photos of the bginning stages of 2 of the 4 canvases i finished...so i thought, lets whip out the photos and post them on the blog!
so heres the beginning stages of 2 of the canvases (they are quite fugly too, may be why they sat for so long, lol)
i have a Saint Remy Multi-Angle Studio Easel that can hold 2 canvases at one time
the canvas on the left is 15 x 45" and on the right 18 x 36"
the final result...
the one on the left, which i am calling the "Lotuses & the Bluebird", now hangs in my hallway flanking the right side of my powder room. (this is the wall you can see sometimes behind me when i record video blogs)
i have had this image by Mary Scrimgeour taped to my wall for a year. i love everything about it! so as homage and respect to her inspiration, i had to put the bluebird in the piece.
WOW! Total transformation of the older paintings and the four finished pieces are simply *stunning* !! Love them all.
Posted by: ellen vargo | March 19, 2014 at 06:57 AM
OOOOH! Donna lets have an inspiration Wednesday for the first pinkie, redie, yellow one.
Posted by: Marilyn | March 19, 2014 at 08:21 AM
probably couldnt do it again if i tried, lol!
Posted by: donna downey | March 19, 2014 at 08:33 AM
Lovely that you take time out for just you! The canvases are so much a reflection of your bright and generous spirit!
Posted by: Carmen | March 19, 2014 at 08:53 AM
So happy for you that you took time just for you!!! Thank you for sharing your creations with us... they are ALL gorgeous yet so unique. It's great that some of the first layers of the 'older work' are still peeking through. The Lotuses and Bluebird piece is just stunning and looks great where you hung it. And the white poppies on pink is so strikingly beautiful!
Posted by: Caroline Duncan | March 19, 2014 at 09:05 AM
I'd love to know how you got that background for the "white flowers" one - its so beautiful and ethereal. And those white flowers are awesome! I wanna be you when I grow up lol :D
Posted by: Shaunna Nalinnes | March 19, 2014 at 09:27 AM
I love love THE colors and THE bird...but why are you painted THE 2 withe flowers...xx
Posted by: Jolanda | March 19, 2014 at 09:43 AM
FABULOUS FABULOUS FABULOUS!!! Glad you took some time for yourself :)
Posted by: Angie Hall Haviland | March 19, 2014 at 09:49 AM
It looks perfect on that wall…just love it.
Posted by: debbie McIntyre | March 19, 2014 at 09:56 AM
Very cool Donna..I love them..
Posted by: Kimberly Gillaspy | March 19, 2014 at 10:22 AM
Wow! love these and good for you to go back and re-work them into something fantastic!
Posted by: Marlene Moore | March 19, 2014 at 10:31 AM
Wow! I think we all benefit when you have "Donna" time. These are magnificent!!
Posted by: Betty | March 19, 2014 at 10:36 AM
Great to see you just PLAY! :)
Posted by: Karen Ellis | March 19, 2014 at 11:07 AM
Playing without an agenda is so good for the soul
Posted by: Belinda Basson | March 19, 2014 at 12:31 PM
Wow Donna! I love those canvases! They are amazing, like you! Enjoy your time making this beautiful art! It is a pleasure for us to see it! Kisses
Posted by: Raquel Ayuela | March 19, 2014 at 12:55 PM
Absolutely love them! So inspiring! Are you planning on coming to Phoenix anytime soon? Would love to take one of your classes.
Posted by: Carmen Whitehead | March 19, 2014 at 03:33 PM
Amazing artwork. So glad you took pics of the stages, ad I'd never have imagined how you achieved the end result! Suz xxx
Posted by: suz | March 19, 2014 at 05:22 PM
Que lindos pinturas . Exelente Donna. Quiero pintar un bodegon de frutas que me recomiendas.
Posted by: luz | March 19, 2014 at 08:23 PM
Breathing is good!
Posted by: Michelle | March 19, 2014 at 08:37 PM
These are amazing!
Posted by: Shelley McKenzie | March 19, 2014 at 10:14 PM
I love, love, love them. Thanks for showing your process!
Posted by: Renata Wurster | March 20, 2014 at 01:54 AM
What a fabulous couple of days you've had, just being you!! Love these canvases, what a transformation those two last ones are - beautiful.
Posted by: Helen | March 20, 2014 at 02:38 AM
Oh Donna, these turned out beautiful!!!! Wow....I just adore the one with the Bluebird!!! I want one of those...makes me so happy!!! It was great for you to take some time for your creating!!!! Beautiful!!!! Have a great day!!! Enjoy your weekend with Junelle...so wish Sandra and I were there!!!
Posted by: Jocelyn | March 20, 2014 at 07:10 AM
Tully Amazing! Love it, love it, love it!
Posted by: sketchofsenses@gmail.com | March 20, 2014 at 07:17 AM
Always so amazing how your paintings start and then seeing the finished artwork. Love, love, love your work as always. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Carol P | March 20, 2014 at 11:09 PM
I would call that an "art for art's sake" day! Yay! So pleased for you. :)
Posted by: Lisa Strahl | March 21, 2014 at 09:22 PM
Would love to learn the technique you used. Have done acrylic only for years and am wanting to branch out and learn some mixed media techniques.
Posted by: Nina | October 04, 2014 at 11:36 PM