* A Day for Postcards

Made a couple of postcards today which was fun.  Thought I would share.

I really love to keep some hand made postcards on hand - so great just to drop a note to a pen pal and keep in touch when things are a little crazy.

Thanks for dropping in.  I LOVE it when you come to visit.  Thank you for all your wonderful comments.  xoxo Donna

What a wonderful thing is the mail, capable of conveying across continents a warm human hand-clasp. 

* Play Day

Before I tell you about my play day, I want to show you the gorgeous painting I won from Natasha May.  It happened to be 'Happy Frida', so she came home to Mexico where she belongs.  I adore her.  Please drop over to Natasha May's blog, HERE and have a lookie loo.  Natasha does some beautiful, unique work.

Wendy and I had a play day in my studio yesterday.  It was a marathon - 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.  The day went so quickly.  Wendy worked on her beautiful water colour Christmas cards, and I worked on tags and cards for Christmas.  Here are some of the results.  Photos not up to par, what can I say?

Some of these ....

and some of these ...

.. and these ....

a few of these ...

... some of these because I loved them

and a few of these ...

All in all we had a wonderful day, had fun, and good company.  What more can you ask.  Hope you had a lovely day.  Thanks for dropping around.  xoxo  Donna

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”

- George Bernard Shaw

* Award Received

Natasha May Art World received an award and has passed it on to me among others.  I've been asked to answer the following questions.  Thanks so much Natasha - you know I love your blog! xo

1. If you were born the opposite sex, what would your parents name you?
2. Clyde Wilson Mearl (I would be called Mearl) - all old family names.  
3. If you could have a superpower, what would it be? 
4. I would be Psychic.
5. If you needed a ride and there were two cars willing to give you a ride. One would be Donald Trump in a Rolls Royce and the other would be your celebrity crush in a beat up Sedan. You'll have to drive by your ex-boyfriend's place who broke your heart a couple of weeks ago and he would be standing outside. Who would you pick?
6. Sean Connery in a kilt - I could handle the rest.
7. Take the color of your socks, your middle name and the last thing you ate. What's your rock star band called? :)
8. Red Dorothy Ginger Tea - shortened to RDGT
9. Who's your favorite book character?
10. Donna Parker, of the Donna Parker mystery series.  When I was a teen I read every book and had the entire collection.  She's adventurous, poised, brave, knows what she wants, and invariably is able to get it.  What more can you ask in a lead character.  (Well, I might have been just a little impressed she had my name!)
11. Comedy, drama or horror movie? Western, action or sci-fi?
12. Drama.  Action.
13. How would your best friend describe you in one word?
14. Demented
15. PC or Mac?
16. Mac! Is there another kind?
17. Will you get laid tonight? :)
18. Unfortunately, not a chance.
19. Choose one or two. Dogs or cats or birds or reptiles or fish or insects?
20. Dogs and Fish (a huge humungous salt water aquarium)
21. What do you think will happen on Dec. 21, 2012?
22. Although I believe we are right in the middle of a consciousness, shift, nothing dramatic will happen on Dec. 21.  I will be here in Mexico, close to where the original Mayan tribes lived, in awe of the history and the fact that we are perfectly aligned with the centre of our own galaxy, just as predicted.

Read more: http://natashamay.blogspot.com/2012/09/20-21-good-girl-bad-girl.html#ixzz276istB5n

Thanks again for dropping by.  I won one of Natasha May's pieces of art. YEAH! I will blog about that another day.  Pop over and have a look at Natasha May's blog - you will enjoy.

“I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you. ”
― Oprah Winfrey

* Freedom has a mind of her own ....

As I said before, birthing this particular painting is no easy task, for whatever reasons.  I told her today, "Your eyes and to big, your face is out of proportion and your lips have to be pared down."  Well!  She was having none of it and I got told in no uncertain terms.  "This is the way I came through you on to the canvas, and this is the way I wish to stay.  I like the way I look.  You will not change anything.  I'm a little different.   I've been through some hard times.  Freedom is a privilege you know.  You were lucky!  You were born to it.  Not so many people on this planet are.  Freedom can be a struggle, a fight, a war.  People give their lives for freedom.  I AM Freedom.  I came on to the canvas and here I am Free to be Me.  Leave me be."

So, Freedom will not be changed.  As I said yesterday, I am surprised by her youth.  She knows her own mind.  I will continue with the painting as is.

Freedom is big, and bright and bold, and out of proportion and beautiful.  Perhaps that what Freedom has to be sometimes, just to be acknowledged.  We are so blessed to have Freedom.

Now I need your opinion.  She insisted I doodle on the birds.  I did as I was told.  What do you think?  Not that she will allow me to change them anyway, but I'm curious about your honest opinion.  Keeping in mind the painting is not finished and there will be more detail in other places as well.  Thanks.

Thanks for dropping by and leaving your comments.  I appreciate your support so very much.  Hoping all is well with you.  xoxo  Donna

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

MARIANNE WILLIAMSON

* Freedom

"Freedom" is making her way into this world, however not without struggle.  So many people on this planet relate Freedom with struggle, I find it interesting she is not appearing easily.  We are making progress though.

I am surprised at how young she is.  In the overall scheme of things in this world, perhaps Freedom is a fairly new concept.

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope all is well with you.  xoxo Donna

"Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes."

- Mahatma Gandhi

* Viva Mexico!

The independence of this country had to be fought for, not once, but twice.  It has been well earned, if not the hard way.  The biggest fiesta of the year, centro was packed with people, parades, and good looking men who know how to 'sit a horse'.

Thanks for stopping by.  I am back at my easel, at least for today - so perhaps I'll have some progress for tomorrow's blog.  Take care.  xoxo Donna

Happy Independence Day! To those who have freedom to be and express who you are, do it boldly and passionately & never take it for granted!

 

* A little update on my Jardin

Since I can't seem to concentrate enough to do any art, I've been puttsing in the jardin.  It's starting to come together.

The wall pots are up and planted.  I've painted the wooden bird houses.  I think it really gives that wall a life.

The plant which is sitting in the middle of the table will go in the talavera post which sits on its side on the tall table.

A cozy nook for sangria with a friend.

The opposite wall was treated to a talavera hanging planter.  If you see the orange flowers tucked into the plants on the bricks, those will be in the wall hanger.

A new addition to the living room.  Beautiful cowhide Mexican chair and a half.  Just right for Habibi and me.  The colourful pillow covers are from Oaxaca and will be plumped up with stuffing soon.

That's all for today my lovelies.  Do hope to get back in the studio soon.  It will settle me down, I've been very restless.  Thanks for dropping by with your wonderful comments.  xoxo  Donna

It is good to be alone in a garden at dawn or dark so that all its shy presences may haunt you and possess you in a reverie of suspended thought.  ~James Douglas, Down Shoe Lane

* Halloween???

Halloween was never a big deal in Canada.  Oh yes, we dressed up and went out trick and treating, however that was the end of it.  No decorations, no lights, although I do remember a few parties.  I guess that was a long time ago.  Today, it's huge - so I'm trying to keep up with the times.  he he  I attempted a couple of tags recently.  They ended up in the bin.  The one I did today, although I'm not doing the happy dance, it is acceptable.  I need you Valerie to come and give me some lessons in tag making!!  I only managed one.  Slow going in the beginning - hoping to speed it up so I have a few to share with my friends.

That's it for today folks.  Thank you for coming over.  Always a pleasure.  xoxo  Donna

Pixie, kobold, elf, and sprite,
All are on their rounds tonight;
In the wan moon's silver ray,
Thrives their helter-skelter play.
~Joel Benton

* My Pocito (little) Jardin ...

Lots happened in my little jardin today.  Felix came over and did all the heavy work while I primpt and preened all the plants to perfection.  It's looking lovely now, and when the plants grow and fill out I believe it will be a lush little oasis to enjoy.  The boston ferns here grow to five and six feet high - and the ficus - well I will have to keep it trimmed lest it take over the entire lane.  Wednesday, Chayo is coming to drill holes in the walls for planters etc. so I can get everything finished up.  I took a couple of photos.

Thanks for dropping by.  The sangria is always on if you are in town.  :o)  xoxo Donna

"I have never had so many good ideas day after day as when I worked in the garden." --John Erskine

* Finished my mandala painting

This was really the first time I've had to play with my Inktense pencils - it was fun - I also have a lot to learn about watercolour.  I finished my intuitive mandala painting.  I am pleased.  It is so full of symbology, it will take me awhile to figure it out.

 

Friday tomorrow.  September.  WOW!  Time is just running like the Indie 500 these days.  Thanks for dropping by.  xoxo  Donna

The only real valuable thing is intuition.
Albert Einstein

* Angels in my Studio

Struggling with "Freedom".  Don't know why except perhaps because I haven't painted for awhile and have to get back into the groove.

I'm so enjoying working with Angel energies.  Most recent exercise was a meditation with Archangel Chamuel (healer of the heart, and a devote of the arts).  The drawing which is here is done totally from intuition - just listening deep inside and drawing whatever comes into my head.  My hand never stopped.  It was quite an amazing experience.  There is so much symbology in this piece it will take me a little while to figure it all out.  I absolutely love the process.  I haven't finished painting it yet.  Using my Inktense water colour pencils, which are totally new to me.  I would like a little more shading, but I will learn that with practice.  So different than acrylic.

 

Once again, oh how I appreciate you dropping by and leaving your comments.  Have been enjoying all the great art on your blogs.  xoxo  Donna

"It is always with excitement that I wake up in the morning wondering what my intuition will toss up to me, like gifts from the sea. I work with it and rely on it. It's my partner." - Jonas Salk

* A New Painting begun

Something finally floated into my head, formed a vague picture and said, let's do this. Sheesh!  I get a bit restless when I don't have a painting on the go.  In no uncertain terms, she told me her name was Freedom.

The first sketch/block in is always a little scary.  It's going to be OK, honest.

RESTLESS!  You know those days when you really want to get into something, become engaged and productive, loose track of time.  I open all the drawers, take stuff out that appeals, put it back because I don't know what to do with it, try and sort things out, organize the studio so it works better, soon give up on that (if only I had those big envelopes from Office Depot I could make files), I pace the floor, straightening the cover on the sewing machine.  Finally I pack it in, walk out of the studio, go downstairs, and do the same thing all over again.  That's been me for a little while now.  Thought it was perhaps the effects of the full moon and it could be.

The other day I sat down to make post cards.  Yes, I said to myself, just make a few different ones, photocopy them and keep them on hand.  They'll be nice when you don't have time to write a long letter.  Well, this was the result of that brain wave.  When you are restless and something doesn't turn out to your satisfaction, it seems twice as bad.  Today I attempted Halloween tags.  Huuummmmph!  Into the bin they went.  Who decided purple was a Halloween colour anyway?  May tomorrow be a better day.  :o)

I'm just listening to the theme from Schindler's List.  It breaks my heart every time I listen to it, and somehow it fills me with such joy and love, I can't stop listening to it.  It's the violin.  It speaks to every cell in my body.  It's from a thirty-seven track album called Classical Heartbreakers, all of which I adore.

Well my darlin's, thanks so much for coming by for a visit and leaving your delicious comments.  Art for art's sake!  xoxo  Donna

“My soul is impatient with itself, as with a bothersome child; its restlessness keeps growing and is forever the same. Everything interests me, but nothing holds me. I attend to everything, dreaming all the while. […]. I'm two, and both keep their distance — Siamese twins that aren't attached.”
― Fernando Pessoa, The Book of Disquiet