Butterfly Dreams - Guest Heart Thursday

Have you  ever wondered what a butterfly might dream about?  If I were a butterfly I might dream of being a faery.  Hence this graphite drawing, Butterfly Dreams.  Yes, there are hearts to be found--how many can YOU find?

Happy New Year, Everyone!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

FATuesday Artist Spotlight #59

I created Featured Art Tuesday Artist Spotlight, a bi-monthly showcase of inspiring Artists, as a forum for all Artists to share their work with one another -- this includes every type of medium, sculpture, cooking, beading, watercolour, restoring vintage cars, pen and ink, oils, gardening, interior decorating, photography and crafts, including drama, writing and poetry. 

The list goes on and on.
 

Each one of us is creative in one way, or another -- FATuesday Artist Spotlight celebrates the creativity found in every person. 

To join us for FATuesday, link up at the bottom of the page. 

Our friend Aaron has been working on illustrating and developing computer fonts.  I have a special love for lettering and fonts.  The samples above are just charming.  This talented young man has finished two fonts of his own, which are listed in "MyFont.com."  His latest hit the top 50 today (still climbing) here in the USA. 

My precious brother, the multi-talented Phil Bogle, writes,"If anyone wants to buy a copy -- it is $2. from now through the 10th of January 2012 --plus it will push Aaron's work higher on the list toward a Top 10 hit.  This is quite an accomplishment so we are stoked to say the least.  If more folks buy his font it gets better exposure which means more buyers will see it and buy, and a good chance at hitting the top 10.   I think it would be really wonderful for a Nehalem -- Oregon Coast artist to make the big time -- sort of like a Billboard Top 10 hit of fontdom.”

To find Aaron’s lovely font work, visit My Fonts.  Aaron's font is called Dinzy-Minzy.  Happily, when you purchase one of his fonts, there's a gift certificate you can use, which takes the price down to $2.  When you "check out" click the gift certificate box at the lower portion of the page.  The code is "cheaper.”  Your price should automatically change to $2.  You can download the font at checkout.  

I hope you take advantage of this fabulous deal!  This is a wonderful way to encourage an incredibly gifted young artist.

I apologize for taking so long to put FATuesday Artist Spotlight up this week.  I have been terribly sick for over 10 days.  I'm feeling MUCH better.  I have decided to make FATuesday a Bi-Monthly event, as my time has become so limited lately!  

Have a very happy New Year, everyone!

If you would like to take part in FATuesday Artist Spotlight:

*Blog the art you want to share.

* Don't forget to leave your link on Linky tools on this page.

* Visit other artists who have left their links.

* Leave a comment when you visit each artist's page.

(We artists need to encourage each other!)

* Add a link back to FATuesday in your blog entry.

FATuesday Artist Spotlight #58

I created Featured Art Tuesday Artist Spotlight, to showcase inspiring Artists and to provide a forum for all Artists to share their work with one another -- this includes every type of medium, sculpture, cooking, beading, watercolour, restoring vintage cars, pen and ink, oils, gardening, interior decorating, photography and crafts, including drama, writing and poetry. 

The list goes on and on.
 

Each one of us is creative in one way, or another -- FATuesday Artist Spotlight celebrates the creativity found in every person. 

To join us for FATuesday, link up at the bottom of the page. 

Because of the holiday and our travels through the end of the month, I will be featuring only one artist on FATuesday until the new year.  Then it's back to the usual!

This week’s featured artist is Drusilla Kehl.  What a surprise to receive this unusual beautifully painted Christmas card in the mail.  When I opened the envelope, I laughed.  Then, looking at my husband’s face as HE looked at the card, I giggled some more.

I love domesticated rats.  The nicest rat I ever knew was Mr. BW, a rat who came to live with us one summer after spending an entire year with the third grade.  He lived to a ripe old age.  He was a dear little fellow.  I will always miss him.  When you visit Drusilla and view her art, you will guess she also loves rats!  .

This gifted artist's whimsical nature shows in the exquisite painting above.

Drusilla loves all animals.  Her drawings them are beautifully crafted and a delight to the eyes.

I adore Drusilla's pet portraits.  As you can see by her gorgeous portrait of Napoleon the Cat, her brush captures the very essence and personality of her furry subjects.

You can find more of Drusilla's artwork at The Illustrated Rat.  She can also be found on facebook at Drusilla Kehl.  Happily, you can purchase items illustrated with her work at her Zazzle Shop, Drusilla and through The Illustrated Rat Store.

If you would like to take part in FATuesday Artist Spotlight:

*Blog the art you want to share.

* Don't forget to leave your link on Linky tools on this page.

* Visit other artists who have left their links.

* Leave a comment when you visit each artist's page.

(We artists need to encourage each other!)

* Add a link back to FATuesday in your blog entry.

Big Brother Escort - Guest Heart Thursday

Big brother is escorting his sweet sis to the Christmas Ball.  He is her protector and Friend.  Aren't they a dapper duo?  I'm sure they will have have lots and lots of fun meeting new friends.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

FATuesday Artist Spotlight #57

I created Featured Art Tuesday Artist Spotlight, to showcase inspiring Artists and to provide a forum for all Artists to share their work with one another -- this includes every type of medium, sculpture, cooking, beading, watercolour, restoring vintage cars, pen and ink, oils, gardening, interior decorating, photography and crafts, including drama, writing and poetry. 

The list goes on and on.
 

Each one of us is creative in one way, or another -- FATuesday Artist Spotlight celebrates the creativity found in every person. 

To join us for FATuesday, link up at the bottom of the page. 

I have been so inspired by Georgina Bedwell’s creativity--her artwork always puts a smile on my face.  What a surprise to open an unexpected package to find two charming ornaments, personally made for me by this gifted artist.  The first is of our dear little Bootz, who went to heaven too early, the second is of Toez--the kitten who now rules our home.  I am privileged to know this inspiring artist as my Friend.

Georgina writes, “I am perhaps best known for Midnight and Sunshine, who are cat characters I create just for the fun of it. Their true to life feline antics seem to delight cat lovers from all over the world.”

You can find Georgina's precious artwork on Facebook at Critter Corner.  Happily, you can purchase her artwork there, as well as special ordering ornaments with your own special furred friends on them.   You can find more of her art on her blog at Art by Georgina Bedwell.  She also has an Etsy shop at Georgina’s Art.   

This wonderful writer/illustrator caught my fancy the first time I laid eyes upon her loveable characters.  Judy Grupp's whimsical nature clearly shines through her paintbrush.  Personality and emotion flow through the characters she draws, capturing the heart and eyes.

Of her newest book on grief, Judy writes, “Since my audience will be older kids this time in addition to the younger ones, and their families, they've asked me to dress the animals in the attire and accessories relevant to kids today.  This goofy giraffe is my first attempt. I think he is goofylishish - maybe too goofy for this type of book. Anytime you try to dress an animal, it's going to get silly. Maybe the story won't have a giraffe!”

To see more of this talented artist’s captivating artwork visit Judy Grupp Studio.  

I was astonished when a lovely print from Paula Kuitenbrouwer arrived yesterday, in my mailbox.  The delicate tracery of flower and birds delighted my soul.  To actually hold one of her pieces in my hands is a wonderful feeling.  I am SO inspired.

Paula made me laugh when she wrote, “Artist’s Confusion…oops, I mean, Concentration:  How many times have you, dearest fellow artist, dipped your pencil in your coffee mug?  Or your brush in your tea mug?  Or your spoon in your water paint?  Did you ever notice your brown water-paint smells like coffee?  Ever drank your water paint?”  I can SO relate! 

To see more of this gifted artist’s charming work, visit Mindful Drawing.

I was introduced to Judith Glover by my talented friend Valerie Greeley.  Judith's delightful sketches and paintings of plants weave across the page like a delicate song.  Her love for plants and gardens clearly permeates every stroke of her pen and brush.  She is not only an artist, but loves to garden.  She actually designed a medal-winning garden for the Chelsea Flower Show and won the BBC 'People's Award' for the Best Small City Garden!  Her garden has featured in many magazines including Gardens Illustrated and Home and Gardens.  Her winsome designs have been used extensively for greeting cards, fabric, ceramics, stationery, dated products and tinware and you can find her work on ecards for just about every occasion.

Judith journals, “As I write, autumn is showing its true colours and snatched days in the garden have been a joy. A gloriously mild October has lulled me into a false sense of security but it can’t be too long before first frosts arrive to snap at the heels of the unprepared gardener…”  

You can find this artist's exquisite work at Judith Glover Designs. If you love gardening as much as I do, you will want to read her fascinating Garden Diary.   You can also find her on Facebook at Judith Glover Designs.  

Amber Day is one of the most creative artists I’ve met.  She not only writes, but she creates incredible original hats and makes astoundingly beautiful jewelry from silver flatware.  Her Onyx Cat dolls are charming, as are the ACEO’s she creates of that rascally cat’s adventures.  She is a wonderfully talented artist in every art medium she puts hear hand to.  This generous lady took  time from her busy day to come to my home to teach me how to watercolor.  I am SO blessed to have Amber as my dear Friend.

Amber writes, “I've been drawing since before I can remember. My parents tell me my first big art project was the pink elephants I drew all over their classic '65 mustang. The car was freshly painted and I used a crayola crayon, I was 3yrs old. Dad said he had a hard time being mad at me 'cause the elephants looked so good'. The car was repainted and I don't remember if I was punished or not. If I was, it didn't stop me drawing!”  

You can find this amazingly eclectic artist on Facebook at  Amber Day.  Her blog, at Amber Day, is a wonderful read.  Happily, you can purchase her artwork online in several places:  Her Etsy shop Animae Girl, Zazzle at Animae Girl and from her Ebay shop, Artistic Adventures in Cyber Space. 

If you would like to take part in FATuesday Artist Spotlight:

*Blog the art you want to share.

* Don't forget to leave your link on Linky tools on this page.

* Visit other artists who have left their links.

* Leave a comment when you visit each artist's page.

(We artists need to encourage each other!)

* Add a link back to FATuesday in your blog entry.

Welcome Holy Babe - Guest Heart Thursday

December First seems a wonderful day to put up my latest watercolor.  When I was a little girl, I wasn't so interested in Santa Claus.  Rather I loved the beautiful and romantic story of a young girl, visited by an angel, given the gift of a Holy Child.

In my imagination, I watched Joseph as he tenderly cared for Mary--I loved how the angels protected them.  I wished I could have been with the Shepherds who were visited by a multitude of the heavenly hosts, praising God and the birth of His Son.

I was in awe of the great Kings who sought the Babe from faraway lands.  I wondered about His star and  knew if I had been born then, I too, would have followed it to where He lay.

There are hearts in this painting--can you find them all?

Welcome Holy Babe!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Note:  This painting was inspired by the art and style of Alphonse Mucha.

FATuesday Artist Spotlight #56

I created Featured Art Tuesday Artist Spotlight, to showcase inspiring Artists and to provide a forum for all Artists to share their work with one another -- this includes every type of medium, sculpture, cooking, beading, watercolour, restoring vintage cars, pen and ink, oils, gardening, interior decorating, photography and crafts, including drama, writing and poetry. 

The list goes on and on.
 

Each one of us is creative in one way, or another -- FATuesday Artist Spotlight celebrates the creativity found in every person. 

To join us for FATuesday, link up at the bottom of the page. 

I am out of time with all that must be done for a trip I will be taking this week.  FATuesday Artist Spotlight takes many hours of work each week.  So today, I am featuring one of my favorite artists once again--our beloved Great Aunt Martina Gangle Curl.

Great Aunt Martina was a delight.  I can still hear her laughter and the sound of her voice in my mind.  It was obvious she deeply loved her family.  I remember her worn, yet beautiful face, the way her eyes would twinkle when she smiled beneath the ever-present scarf she wore over her hair.   She was always kind to me and gently encouraged me to draw.

Above you see Aunt Martina in 1975, at a "sit in" protesting Portland General Electric.  She would have LOVED today's Occupy Wallstreet movement!  She would have been in the thick of it all.

This is the wonderful face I remember.  She had a tender and truly noble heart.  Like so many of today's young people, she was passionate about the equality of all peoples and caring for the poor and disadvantaged.  When she was in her early 80's she was arrested for picketing the White House in Washington DC!  I remember seeing her face on television.  Though she and I did not always agree, I admired her stand for what she believed.

Aunt Martina was one of 200 artists employed by Federal Arts Project, the New Deal’s ambitious effort to support visual artists, writers, and dramatists under the auspices of the massive Works Progress Administration (WPA).  These artists provided murals, paintings, watercolors, and wood carvings for Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood.  She and fellow artist Arthur Runquist created a great mural for Rose City Park Elementary School in Portland.  It is called The Columbia River Pioneer Migration – The Homesteaders. Her artwork hangs in the Oregon Art Museum and she is considered to be one of Oregon's most important historical artists.

Her artwork was born from the terrible Great Depression.  She was one of seven children who lived in desperate circumstances.  Their father had gone to look for gold during the Alaskan gold rush and was never heard from again.  Life was incredibly hard.  Their mother provided food for the family, working as a domestic – washing clothes, sewing, or doing farm chores.  The family often followed the harvest as workers in the fields.

When Aunt Martina was in her mid-20's, she attended the Museum Art School in Portland.  Unlike most artists of the time, her etchings, lino cuts, and lithographs of the mid-thirties often portrayed women and children fruit harvesters and other working people.

She once speculated how different things would have been if she had gone directly from high school to attend art school. “I would have had seven, or eight years of ignorance of what was happening in the country,” she reflected. “I would no doubt have painted flowers and landscapes instead of poor families and people running from violence, homeless people sleeping on benches, etc.” These powerful images from her early life experiences filled her thoughts and deeply influenced her artwork.  Her mentors, she once mused, “didn’t realize what life had already done to my thinking.”

She and fellow artist Arthur Runquist, were blacklisted during the Cold War because of their political views.  She wrote. “Thugs beat Arthur up. They injured his hand so badly doctors thought they would have to amputate. Luckily, his hand was saved." He and Martina were working on the Pendleton murals at the time.

Last year, when my sweet Sis Clytie called to say she had found an original painting by our Great Aunt Martina, I was in awe.  The above painting was found in a box of our Grandmother's papers--which would have been destroyed that very day. Through her artwork, Aunt Martina succeeded in dramatizing the beauty and aesthetic diversity to be found in the everyday settings of people living throughout the Pacific Northwest in those hard years.

She was not only a gifted artist, but was a wonderful person who deeply loved her family.  Once at a family reunion, I was sketching a rough picture of something which had caught my fancy.  I remember feeling a hand on my hair, looking up to see Aunt Martina smiling down at me, nodding her approval.

I  wish I would have known then, how much she loved art--I would have asked her about her life and how she saw the world--about what it was like growing up in the Depression.  I wish I could tell her how proud I am to be her great niece and how much I treasure those moments when she would lean over my drawings with a smile and an encouraging word.  I wish I could tell her what an inspiration she's been to me over the past few years.

You can find restrikes of fourteen works of art by Aunt Martina for sale, at The Pathways Collection.  To read more about Martina Gangle Curl's fascinating life, visit The Oregon Encyclopedia and the Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission.

If you would like to take part in FATuesday Artist Spotlight:

*Blog the art you want to share.

* Don't forget to leave your link on Linky tools on this page.

* Visit other artists who have left their links.

* Leave a comment when you visit each artist's page.

(We artists need to encourage each other!)

* Add a link back to FATuesday in your blog entry.

Turkey Tease - Guest Heart Thursday

Before our dear Booterz flew away to heaven, I was inspired to make a little comic about her.  Her tail was incredibly long--14 inches of expressiveness.  In the series, Bootz made friends with a little bird.  At first Booterz thought about eating the birdie.  Then she and the Bird became friends, teasing dragons, dogs and, yes--this poor unsuspecting turkey.

A perfect addition for both Guest Heart Thursday and Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

FATuesday Artist Spotlight #55

I created Featured Art Tuesday Artist Spotlight, to showcase inspiring Artists and to provide a forum for all Artists to share their work with one another -- this includes every type of medium, sculpture, cooking, beading, watercolour, restoring vintage cars, pen and ink, oils, gardening, interior decorating, photography and crafts, including drama, writing and poetry. 

The list goes on and on.
 

Each one of us is creative in one way, or another -- FATuesday Artist Spotlight celebrates the creativity found in every person. 

To join us for FATuesday, link up at the bottom of the page. 

I found Sunny Carvalho’s amazing art through my sweet Friend Tammie Lee.  I fell in love with Sunny's art at my first glance.  Her artwork reflects a whimsical heart--the sculpture she creates has a grace and life all its own.  I am so inspired by Sunny’s use of color and pattern.  Her artwork moves--it twinkles!

Sunny writes, “Who, me? I guess I'd say I am a painter of Pretty Girls (and sometimes, Ugly Girls!) and maker of things! I have a need to create that I just can't contain. I do something different every day. I paint, sculpt original dolls, make all sorts of fun things and teach at Artfest in Port Townsend, WA”    

You can see more of this artist's sparkling art at Sparkle and Spin the art of Sunny Carvalho.  

Kylie Fowler is new to me.  I love her thoughtful use of color in this portrait of her “Mum.”  This fabulous artist loves to explore various styles.  Her art  reflects a deep fascination with life and a love for variety.  She inspires me to try new things.

Kylie writes, “…I love any artwork that contains eyes. The eyes are generally the most important part of each of my artworks. As they say, 'The eyes are the windows to the soul'. I also enjoy sewing and producing mixed media artwork, so hopefully in the future I will produce more mixed media works of art. I am a creatologist. A person who loves to create.”  

You can find more of Kylie's fascinating art at the Blissful Pumpkin.  Happily, you can also purchase her whimsical collages, paintings, portraits, caricatures, art prints and other such wonderful stuff at her Etsy Store, the Blissful Pumpkin.

Becca, a talented artist, photographer and musician from Las Vegas, loves to create beautiful mixed media collages using vintage ephemera.  She also likes to sew and is an avid antique hunter.  She is a wonderful photographer and the good friend of two dearly loved orange kitty cats.  I love the way Becca views her world and the way she shares it with us.  She says the Great Pacific Northwest is one of her favorite places--she's one of us, even if she doesn't actually live here--I can tell.  (grin)

Becca writes, ”I am a wife, crazy cat lady, hobby photographer and a self taught mixed-media artist…Music is also a big part of my life.  I play classical piano, acoustic guitar and sing.”  What an incredibly gifted lady Becca is!   I have the feeling she could play music along with the wind in the trees.

  

To see more of this wonderful artist's eclectic work, visit Patina Moon 

Paula Kuitenbrouwer’s delicate artwork is also new to me.  I love the gentle tracery of flower, bird and butterfly wing--there is a magical quality to this artist’s work which satisfies something in my eyes.  I love to look--to see through this artist’s eyes.  When I view Paula's beautiful drawings, I feel inspired to reproduce what I see in my own little garden.

Paula writes, “To me art is about creating beauty. I enjoy the process of creating beauty. There is so much to learn about it and how to achieve it. I like to find beautiful compositions with harmonious shapes and colours. If I make a drawing or painting that brings pleasure to the eye, harmony to the mind or peace to the heart, I feel happy. Apart from being intrigued by beautiful compositions, drawing helps me to escape the stressful concept of time. When I draw sometimes time is substituted for timelessness. Waking up from such mindful moments I notice my drawing surprisingly shows progress, although I was all the time absorbed in the here and now.” 

 To see more of Paula's lovely artwork, visit Mindful Drawing. Happily, you can also buy her work at her Etsy shop, Mindful Drawing.

Nancy Lefco's eloquent work is creatively satisfying to the soul.  I feel inspired to try my hand at collage art when I view her artwork.  I especially love her journaling pieces.  Indeed, she does tell a story--Her artwork leaves you wondering about the plotline, wanting to see more.

Nancy writes, “Collage…that wonderful form of art where we take seemingly unrelated materials and combine them in fabulous ways.  Pictures, text, tickets, game pieces, ribbon, scraps of fabric and bits of paper…come together and tell a story, that alone, they could never tell.  It is the storytelling element in collage that speaks to my heart and keeps me creating…”

To see more of this artist's beautifully reflective artwork, visit Mixed Media Collage Art by Nancy. 

If you would like to take part in FATuesday Artist Spotlight:

*Blog the art you want to share.

* Don't forget to leave your link on Linky tools on this page.

* Visit other artists who have left their links.

* Leave a comment when you visit each artist's page.

(We artists need to encourage each other!)

* Add a link back to FATuesday in your blog entry.

Fuchsia - Sunday Scans

If the Fuchsia flower had a face, this is what she would look like.  No wonder the hummingbirds flock to kiss her lips!  This original pocket art drawing is only 2.5x3.5 inches big!

Al's Photography Blog, by our good friend Al, hosts "Sunday Scans" each week.  Sunday Scans is a place for all things scanned.  So pick up your artwork, old photo albums, ephemera, postcards, ANYTHING which can be scanned and join in the fun!  

Face of Light - Weekend Reflections

This is the first time I've entered one of my organic art pieces in Weekend Reflections.  This was so special, I wanted to share it.

We were getting ready to work on an addition to the back of my parent's home.  Chilly raindrops tumbled through the air in pockets of splashing cold.  Then suddenly the sun came out.  It peeked at us from between the branches of the trees.  Later I realized there was a face--a face made of light...perhaps an angel watching over us, as we worked.

Above you see this lovely shining face, with delicate fir needle earrings, as I first glimpsed her through the lens of my camera.

For more wonderful reflections from around the world, be sure to visit James at Weekend Reflections.

Christmas Tree Angel - Guest Heart Thursday

This is the first sketch of our Christmas card.  She is really my niece--and yes, there are lots of hidden hearts.

And now Malaya and I need your help.  Christmas Tree Angel is a really boring name.  We would like to know if anybody out there might have any ideas for a name for this Christmas card.  If we choose your name, you will get a print of the finished card in the mail at Christmas time.

Four-year-old Malaya says, "I can hardly wait to see the names you think of!"

Have a lovely week!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

FATuesday Artist Spotlight #54

I created Featured Art Tuesday Artist Spotlight, to showcase inspiring Artists and to provide a forum for all Artists to share their work with one another -- this includes every type of medium, sculpture, cooking, beading, watercolour, restoring vintage cars, pen and ink, oils, gardening, interior decorating, photography and crafts, including drama, writing and poetry. 

The list goes on and on.
 

Each one of us is creative in one way, or another -- FATuesday Artist Spotlight celebrates the creativity found in every person. 

To join us for FATuesday, link up at the bottom of the page. 

 

Helen Wheeler Shaw is new to me.  This fascinating artist has a unique way of viewing her world.  Her abstract pieces are just amazing.  She is a free-spirited New Zealander from Texas, happily painting at her studio in the Texas hill country.  Helen finds inspiration outside her own front window--the beautiful birds who inhabit her three-acre nature sanctuary.  Her work reflects her great love for all animals and the earth.

Helen writes, "My ' Helen essence' shines brightest when I am creating, or when I am surrounded by nature.  These two things are essential for my fulfillment and growth on this life journey.  Nature inspires, delights, enchants and sustains me…”

To see more of this wonderful artist's work, visit her art website, Helen Wheeler Shaw Bird and Botanical Art.  You can also follow her adventures in art on her blog, The Willow's Nest.  

Andrea Pratt's artwork is so inspiring.  I love the detail she puts into her pieces.  Each drawing has hidden patterns and meanings.  Her charming artwork intrigues me--I want to look and look--and keep on looking.

Andrea writes, “Art, for me, is about creating meaning and order from an unruly and constantly moving herd of ideas. Oil and acrylic paint, coloured pencils and my camera all feature prominently in my toybox. I am drawn to both natural and built environments (and their intersection), primitive symbolism and patterns, bones, crows, canoes and houses. Being lucky enough to live where I do, the inspiration for most of my paintings and drawings is rooted in the natural world, but I like to combine imagery in unexpected ways.”

To see more of this intriguing artist's beautiful work, visit Coloring Outside the Lines.

Darlene is self taught artist who loves to create using a variety of mediums including oils, watercolor, acrylics, porcleain clay, paperclay, papermache, and glass medium. I find her eclectic use of mixed media art and papermache extremely inspiring.  She is not only a gifted artist, but is a wonderful person with one of the biggest, most loving hearts I’ve ever known.  I am privileged to call Darlene my Friend.

Darlene writes, “I am a mixed media artist who is a believer in following your hearts dreams and wishes. My background experience includes in oils, watercolors, stained glass, glass fusion, porcelain dolls, polymer clay dolls, and currently Mixed media and paper art. I enjoy creating art to make for all occasions…”

You can see more of this talented artist's charming artwork at A Dancing Mango.  Happily, you can also buy her artwork from her Etsy Shop, A Dancing Mango -Where the magic of the past lives.   

I am inspired by Michael Shapcott's use of highly detailed graphite underdrawings, which he treats so they won't smudge--then paints with colorful washes in oil and acrylic paints.  In addition to his paintings, this Connecticut artist creates art videos which track the process of his paintings and highlight his unusual style.  He credits his education for basic technical experience.  However, he believes it was only after breaking with many of the traditional methods he was taught, that he developed the confidence, unique voice and style he has today.

Michael writes, "I have learned that you must above all else believe in yourself and your worth and be brave enough to live the life you choose. Being a full-time artist is about doing what you love every day, expressing yourself, touching others lives with your art, and making a unique mark on the world – but it is not for the lighthearted. Our lives depend on it. This is how we earn our living, how we spend most of our time and energy, what we pour our deepest passions into, how our face is shown to our loved ones and to the world. We don’t just want to succeed. We have to.  I do this because I love it and what I aspire for is to reach out and touch viewers of my work, making sure that those who see my paintings see something that enriches their experience."

 You can find more of this incredible artist's amazing art on his blog at Michael Shapcott. You can also find an additional array of this artist's work in his DA art gallery at Michael Shapcott.  

I fell in love with the bright colors and whimsical detail of Terri Kahrs lovely artwork.  There is something about her art, which inspires the child in my heart to dance.  Terri's joyful artwork inspires me to experiment with color and patterns.  

Terri writes, “For a short time I entertained the idea of being either a butterfly or a beautiful, mystical Unicorn. But all along, thoughts of being a dog were always strong…”  

To see more of Terri's happy artwork, visit Pringle Hill Studio. 

If you would like to take part in FATuesday Artist Spotlight:

*Blog the art you want to share.

* Don't forget to leave your link on Linky tools on this page.

* Visit other artists who have left their links.

* Leave a comment when you visit each artist's page.

(We artists need to encourage each other!)

* Add a link back to FATuesday in your blog entry.

Foxydoodles - Sunday Scans

Here is one of my little Foxydoodle drawings.  I love foxes.  When we were small, I remember watching red foxes leaping above the grasses in the field across the street--in just this way.

I also remember a lady who came to the house with a tiny fox cub nestled in her arms.  "Have you lost a puppy," she asked.  She'd found him beside the road and didn't realize he was a fox!

This is the first three of eight Foxydoodle ACEOs which will be up for sale soon in my Etsy Shop.

Al's Photography Blog, by our good friend Al, hosts "Sunday Scans" each week.  Sunday Scans is a place for all things scanned.  So pick up your artwork, old photo albums, ephemera, postcards, ANYTHING which can be scanned and join in the fun!