This week I have been, sorta, planning for my trip to Oregon with my fave Twinkle Twinkle Artist.  We're on our way to Art and Soul!  And because I'm off to Oregon, I get to have dinner with the most beautiful Grandmother in the land.    My Grandma is so important to me.  This rose is for her.

I went into to my fav tattoo artist for some touch ups, of old work, not his, and I just knew it was time for my rose to represent the most important woman in my life.

So for my lovely grandmother, and her 100's of rose bushes, I will wear her symbol on my body forever.  I can see that she will not be around near as long as I wish, but she is with me each day.  I could not possibly be the  person I am without her.

And the face?  That is my second toilet bowl lid, a commissioned piece, that left me this week.  Yup, it's another toilet bowl!

And last week, I wrote a post about all the exciting new adventures of mine in art business.  Although of course it's slow going, it's going!  You can read all about the post HERE!!!  I share some exciting news, and a few new pieces I made!

Happy week to you, and I'll be back after Art and Soul to share all about our fab trip, which I know it will be!  Oh, did I mention Jesse Reno and Mindy Lacefield???  :D

happy tidbits

jumping

exploring

happy mail!

beautiful gift.  Thank you dear Cameron

and a little glimpse of my gift to you!

Exciting Artistic Ventures!

Long long awaited post this one is and not a good habit to get into, I know! but here I am, back at my puter to explain why...  Um, three kids, remember this!, and a new commitment to my studio, and the gym (important), ...and last, but not least exciting, is a grand new shop opening in downtown Brighton Colorado called Eye Candy of Brighton, where my art, originals and prints, will be sold!!!  yup, true that!  It all happened when I contacted the owner about teaching workshops at this new fabulous shop.  Not only am I going to be doing so (Eeee, giddy meeeee!) but she also said she would be thrilled to have my work for sale there.  Oh, lovely day...we talked for hours and connected right away.

oh quick side fun... I also worked on this this week...for fun!

Now back to my story! Not all days have been hunky dory.  As I focused my attention on some new pieces, I begin to question what I was doing and why.  Was my art authentic, and what makes it so.  Around and around I went and did come to the conclusion that I was very happy with this path, but I won't put out pieces that I am unhappy with, and I won't mass produce anything.  My pieces still need to flow from my painted hands, from my spirit.  And I wonder what little story the buyer may have for them?

So alas, here are two new canvas pieces for the shop.  And I have been having a huge love affair with beeswax.  It started long ago, but then we split for a bit, and now we're back together making a mess of my stove and fuming the house with sweet goodness!

This second one reminds me a bit of Suzi Blue's work.  I had great issue with this at first, and she uses beeswax over her girls as well...so ya.  I was unhappy with the similarities, but then I was like, hey, every person that you learn from, or admire etc... is going to influence your style.  I feel the top represents how I draw pretty girls, but why should I be unhappy with this second piece?  I shouldn't!  So, although not my favorite, I do love her little story in my mind.  I have been asked why she is sad, and if I'm sad, and I'll tell you...she simply longs for the wind to blow through her pink hair! She is just longing and waiting amongst the beautiful K&Co butterflies and flowers!  True story! And don't those flowers look yummy with wax all over them?  I think they do!

Also in the new shop are a couple of my old cardboard carved paintings, and a painted collage, more abstract.  I am working to add a new piece once a week for a while!  We'll see how it all goes...

Happy Day!

a tattoo journey

So it all started last spring actually when I was ready to have some covers of really old, very meaningless, ink from my 18 year old days covered up!  My hubs was eager to have me go to his friend and after some fear, I did and he started the work that started my whole piece.  However, I soon began to see that I needed to find an experienced artist to do what I wanted.  I didn't know where to start, and so I took a little break.  One day though, through knowing a fabulous person, I found my artist and my journey continued.

As many of you know, I started with many little birds, a great quote, and a simple hand drawn, by me, birdcage.  The work didn't look so great.  I knew there was so much more I wanted from this, but didn't know where to go next.  I did know though, that along with my little birdies, I needed three bigger birdies, to represent my girls.  Of course, I am the cage...and two of these three and starting to fly further away.  So my fab artist started out with a simple floral design and my Paige bird.

and we are starting to fix the cage and color...

my doggie loves me and my new, unfinished ink...

and color...  and design complete and brought through the cage.  I am so happy!

I love this last shot so much, although you can't see the bottom left flowers which are gorgeous.

Now, you may notice, two more birdies are to come.  We haven't really decided where to put them, but the two will be close by, as my two oldest are very close in age, and close.  I think one will have spread wings.  My next session, a whole month away...boo! we are actually re coloring all the springtime work.  It honestly didn't heal well, and looks not so great next to this masterpiece.  I am hoping Mr. Artist Awesome Sauce can fix that, although the style is very different.

So birdies to come, and I have so many more important symbols in this head, that I am eager to one day add to this canvas.

A little inspired

by Julliette Crane and Lifebook on a sad dark babe-really-sick type week!  I held my girl for four days while she did her sick thing all over me, held on to that fever, and crashed in my arms.  It was bitter sweet, and depressing too.

And in dark times, I say paint bright.  I was totally unable to really get in my studio and do my thing, but I was able to watch Miss Crane's Lifebook lesson and whip up a little sweet mama Koala!

I hope you like her.

at one point tonight, if I don't crash first, I will linky up to PPF and try oh so hard to visit everyone this week!

babe and I at my desk.  She is feverishly crashed on me. This was like day four of being in the house and I was starting to go a little stir crazy.  I thought she was getting better, and I got so hopeful of getting out that day!  ...she's all swell and well now, making us all crazy with her energy now, so no worries!!!

oh, and if you've comment on some of my tattoo posts, and have been so curious as what is going on on that back of mine... click HERE!!!  Woot!

Sunday Sketches. Profile.

Hello!  This morning I felt it a good morning to practice a sketch.  I seriously have never liked my profile faces; they usually look manly! This morning, happily, I think I made my first feminine profile, thanks to our fab Willowing Tam!  Linking this morning to Sunday Sketches!  And here's to a great week ahead!

Pink Hair, Toilet Bowl Lid Art, and a WIP!

Hello Hello!  I have been away, staying way too busy, and finishing up summer with my gaggle.

When I left off last, I was showing off my Toilet Bowl Lid Painting for a charity auction hosted by Fallen Owl Tattoo!  The event was awesome soy sauce, and my painting, lid, did sell! (exciting!!!)

Do you remember the painting?

Here is the post if you want to catch up!

Now anyways, this was all very fun for me.  And I was so nervous going into it. And here I am, with my lid...

Yup, I have pink hair!

and about this pink hair...let me share a close-up with you.  My hairdresser outdid herself, and my hair rocked!!!  (Sadly though, the roots were not so easy, and now my hair is more of a darker cherry than bright pink.  sorta boo!)  The purple was sprayed on over a stencil.  Very cool!

Now, we talked toilet bowl seat and pink hair, so last, but not least, a work in progress.  This mother is BIG with so many layers upon layers.  I don't know where to go with it right now, so I set it aside.  I am certain it will call to me soon!  Linking to Paint Party Friday! Woot!

on a little extra side note... I have begun to sell my paintings, and prints.  This week I sold DREAM, a favorite among many.

I also have available a few more for purchase, and if you're interested you may reach me at valoisdaniele@me.com.  I will be opening up my Etsy site this week and will add them there as well.


This board never got a name.  In my head, it's just Happy Land!

Living a wonderful, colorful, jolly life.

Beeswax collage on cardboard. Sunshine.

Collage on cardboard.  Nature Lover.

and lastly, a collage I just finished last night.  Beeswax on wood.