Staying in the Joy

 

"Bath Time"

What a time this is we find ourselves in.  You think these birds playing in the bird bath know?

Hardly...

I'm a birdwatcher and a painter.  I paint lots of birds. I sip coffee every morning and watch the birds compete for their turn at the bird feeder.  In fact, since no one is coming to visit anytime soon, we decided to turn the matching conversations chairs towards the front window to look out... 

no sense looking at the adjacent room...

JOY

Where can we find it?

I find it in the simplest of things...mostly I find it watching the natural world carry on despite the follies of

the human kind.  I need to turn away from the machinations of the human world to keep my sense of joy...

That's not to say I don't love humans...some humans, that is, like my dear family and friends and the smiling passers-by...

It's just that the busyness of the animal world, the complete abandon to their survival, the fact that to them I'm just another being moving in space...this captures my attention. 

We have taken over the world, we humans, and it's looking like we need to give it back to the birds...and the wildness that once was.  

I would love to know your thoughts....Please take a moment and click here to visit my collections of paintings...Just take a moment and relax and tell me....Do they bring you joy?  I hope so because it's the reason why I create...Take care and be well...

~Donna Theresa 

In the art world, there is a language one must learn. Outline translates to contour. Form to mass. Lightness or darkness of an image to value. Color = hue. In the pastel world, the surface you apply your pastel to is referred to as support.  There are an array of supports one can use... sanded surface, un-sanded surface, prepared surface with a grit substance called gesso.  Each has its own unique properties when receiving the application of pastel. I have tried them all and am convinced that SUPPORT MATTERS... Support matters....in life, too. Sometimes it's the make it or break it moment when the support you ask for is given or not... As a parent of two adult children who are in the productive "making it" phase of their lives, I am their cheerleader. I am their support. Their coach. Every moment is an opportunity to make their day .... or break it. Support matters.  As an artist, I am selective to whom I reach out to for support...Usually it is my fellow artists who offer the best support...they've been there. Making art is a solitary journey...even if you are in a studio full of others making art at the same moment. Each one of us is putting our creative juices out there for everyone to see...and judge. Be kind. Encouragement goes a long way for one to reach success......Support matters.   As a world citizen, how I live and make my footprint on the earth matters to me. I try to portray the beauty of my surroundings with my landscape paintings. I support the earth in my contributions to organizations that matter to me and the world.  https://www.nrdc.org https://earthjustice.org  Please check out these organizations to see the work they do to protect our environment.   Here is a recent painting now available! "Placidly Purple" http://donnatheresafineart.com    I love to paint birds and animals. I am a fierce advocate for humane treatment of all animals big and small. I contribute monthly to this organization and by supporting me you also contribute!  https://www.humanesociety.org "Fur Baby" http://donnatheresafineart.com    As a concerned ally of people of color and marginalized communities, I have intimate knowledge and experience having raised children, now adults, who are different in our world. Of course, to me , they are perfect! Unfortunately, some people perceive others different from them a threat .I support the organization, Southern Poverty Law Center, whose mission is to fight hate and teach tolerance. You can check out their work here: https://www.splcenter.org    I so hope you have continued this far in your reading of my message to you. While I love to share my art with you, I thought it important for you to know who you are supporting when you support me!   I now have fine art prints available in my print shop! The originals of these prints have sold and so I now offer premium giclée prints among other products. Please check it out at: https://geogalleries.com/DonnaTheresaFineArt/   https://geogalleries.com/DonnaTheresaFineArt/15414/img/292579/     https://geogalleries.com/DonnaTheresaFineArt/15414/img/292557/ Thank you for taking the time to read my latest newsletter. Be safe, be well, and take good care of one another.  Much love to you and yours, Donna Theresa

SPRING FLING!

Happy Spring to You!   Hello my friends in art and beauty.... This is just a quick hello to tell you all that I think of you in this uncertain time. Spring is here. The birds are busy building nests and feeding their babies and carrying on despite what is happening to the humans in their world.  Life is going on as it always does...Time continues to march on and life will likely be very different for all of us for some time to come.   I am hoping that you are all healthy and safe and somewhat sane!   I have been very busy in the studio challenging myself to complete a painting a day everyday for the month of April...I'm halfway there! I'm including some of my efforts for you to see and enjoy! My family and I are safe and healthy. The nest is full again with our adult children home from college early...Travel plans needed to be postponed and while that is just some of the disappointments in my little bubble, I cannot complain one bit because I have health and stability and a home full of love and art! These pieces of work I am sharing with you today are mostly small renderings and can be found on my website https://www.donnatheresafineart.com My time as an artist is largely spent in solitude...Life during this time of isolation has been a lesson in patience and gratitude and learning to use very little of everything! I find the silver linings in listening to the birds sing and reading stories of the animal world coming out to play! Perhaps the world is healing a little bit... Hoping you are all well and would love to hear from you!           "Turquoise Powder on a Flower"                              "Joyful"                                     "Waxing Beauty"