Yes, a few months ago I decided I missed my blog from a couple years ago and that I should do another one and hell, why not do one for my art website with news and stuff about my art. But it’s all connected, my art is my life; I am an artist. And I am not a writer!! Lets leave that specialty to the actual writers. It overwhelms me to think of content for both. It’s crazy to do 2!
Therefore, there will be only one blog: denisemorencie.wordpress.com, which is about my life as an artist and all my adventures and misadventures!
It will be much easier to put for the effort in one blog. So come join me over there!! Follow me via WordPress or go to my website denisemorencie.com and sign up for my newsletter which will bring you most times to my blog.
Art Meditation
“Photography is an immediate reaction, drawing is a meditation.” ~ Henri Cartier-Bresson
I have been practicing meditation for about a year and a half, but seriously meditating for past few months. I dedicate 10-30 minutes every single day to giving that peace to myself. If you haven’t tried it, I strongly urge you to try it; even for just a few minutes to start. I do the very simple version…sit quiet with myself and clear my mind for a period of time; that is the intention. Since I live on a busy street, I have an app called Brain Wave I use sometimes to help clear outside distractions (by the way there are many apps for meditation using sound or guided). Most times my meditation sessions are wonderful and there is a feeling of peace. The best ones leave me feeling like I’ve had a nap when I really haven’t. It is wonderful to relieve stress, which has been shown to improve your overall health and I have been working toward optimal health for a few years now.
How can improving my health improve my artwork? Get in the flow…
Flow state: Flow is the mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity. In essence, flow is characterized by complete absorption in what one does. (Wikipedia definition)
After finishing my last large painting of many hours invested, I needed to chill a little so I decided to get back to the basics: sketching. Sketching with pencil, charcoal, pastels, acrylic and watercolor. But I wanted it to be different for me…not a start, stop and spend a few hours kind of sketch; I wanted it to be like my meditation. Art Meditation or my flow state. I am in immediate focus with my art. No stress. Time for me…no outside interruptions other than music, and to do whatever I felt like at that given moment. And like my other meditation practice, it needed to be a 5 minute to maybe at most 45 minute sketch…plan the time according to what I decided to do right before I start. Most times these have turned out great considering the time involved and there have been a few bombs. But that is okay. All in all, I’ve been very pleased with the outcome of the sketch. And the best part for me is an artistic fulfillment! I am exercising my skill, while staying in the moment. Another wonderful part is sharing the sketches on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest and getting great feedback.
What can you take from this? First…start meditating. Believe me you have 5-20 minutes in your day…turn off the TV or get off social media or stop texting and checking email for a certain time. Make that time. Second…maybe art meditation/sketching isn’t your outlet, but find something you love to do and do it everyday for 5 minutes to 45 minutes. Turn all the outside “noise” off again…Read a book, write in a journal, pull out that instrument collecting dust, doodle, sing…something that relaxes your mind, puts you in a zone and gives you that meditative feeling. Just make it a personal daily commitment and you will feel the benefits of meditation.
In the meantime, check out a few of the sketches I have done in the past 12 days. And if you are interested in purchasing any of them (as is, no frame or matting with smudges and marks), please email me or contact me on my website. People always ask me if I am selling art…an artist always sells in some way, just let me know! 🙂
Mardi Gras Indian
Burlesque perfomer
Mardi Gras Indian child
random clown
The Old Man-Mardi Gras
Corey Henry
Erica Falls
Joseph Crachiola
Delfeayo Marsalis
Mama Bear
Mac Rebennack/ Dr. John
Mardi Gras Indian
Olympia Brass Band musician
Bob Marley
New Orleans home
Burlesque
Patti Smith
French Quarter Balcony
And if you haven’t yet, check out my ART WEBSITE I am always updating and changing. Also, I am now on Fine Art America (click for the link or go to their website and search me under artist name), which can also be reached on my Facebook page. On this site you can purchase prints and greeting cards of some of my artwork. I will be posting more as available and if I have a good photograph of the original. This works wonderful until I am able to sell some giclee prints of my work…in due time…and this gives you an opportunity to buy some of my art, if not an original.
I hope you enjoyed my art and this post! See you next time!…
A Process of My Painting “BAMF – VW Microbus”
Painting is a blind man’s profession. He paints not what he sees, but what he feels, what he tells himself about what he has seen.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/p/pablopicas400595.html#XEl7sopUxh8QJVGP.99
Painting is a blind man’s profession. He paints not what he sees, but what he feels, what he tells himself about what he has seen.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/p/pablopicas400595.html#XEl7sopUxh8QJVGP.99
Painting is a blind man’s profession. He paints not what he sees, but what he feels, what he tells himself about what he has seen.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/p/pablopicas400595.html#XEl7sopUxh8QJVGP.99
“Painting is a blind man’s profession. He paints not what he sees, but what he feels; what he tells himself about what he has seen.” ~Pablo Picasso
No one is an artist unless he carries his picture in his head before painting it, and is sure of his method and composition.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/c/claudemone390179.html#zdoZ4d8d0IHBDBAV.99
People seem to love the progress photos I post on Facebook of a painting, so I thought I would share the progress on one of my acrylic paintings completed in January this year “BAMF – VW Microbus” (and the acronym for those of you who don’t know Bad Ass Mother F&@ker).
I took the original photo shortly after I arrived here in New Smyrna Beach, while walking the dogs. Around the corner at a neighborhood house I saw this rusty, antique beauty and better yet was the hippie owner and his kids inside. Funny thing was they had the iPhone hooked up in the old bus, probably searching for tunes. I knew at that moment I would paint this amazing beach vehicle that looked like it spent one too many days on the salty beach.
The hardest part of a painting is to start it and the second hardest part is to finish. The music for the mood goes on. Perhaps a couple of drinks if its needed to calm the mind. First, is a very quick sketch/layout in pencil, then a sketch in paint. This layout is the composition of the piece; the plan in my head. Then it is hard to explain the process after that because its like an energy force takes over an artist; takes over the hand and the mind. You get in the groove, sheer energy, which omits the outside world; thinking with the brush. I love the color mixing, and I mostly mix right on the canvas. The brush dances on the canvas. I love watching it come together. As I do in everyday life, once I get going in that groove, I change my mind often, until I finally settle upon my desire. Sometimes the initial idea is not the painted result. You can see in the photos below that I blocked in color, adjusted, added detail, depth and highlights…and more color. This all brings the composition into play. I just knew it would be a special painting. A feeling of peace comes over me when I think I’ve finally got it. With this painting, it worked from the get-go. Every artist in any medium has their own rhythm an approach. We all work differently and think differently. This is only my perspective and how I work. I work hard at a piece of art. I cry over it, dance over it, mull over it, dream about it…until I get it the way I want. Each night after a painting session, a few people get the text of the progress and get my input…from the I’m so excited or Shit I don’t know where to go from here. They often will say they thought it was finished at that point, but the subsequent touches really bring it together. But either way, they are my personal cheerleaders. I leave each night looking forward for the next day to paint…
As I said the second hardest part is finishing the painting. You would think it’s complete joy, but it’s looking at it in different views. I may see something to adjust in a photo I take with my phone or turn it upside down (especially a portrait or figure) to make sure it looks good all ways. Then there is the Ah Ha moment…sign and it’s done. Then I finish the edges, place a varnish to even out the paint colors, put the hardware on the back and put it aside and wait. Wait for hopefully a new owner.
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- Initial sketch
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- Block in color
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- Color work
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- Detail and color
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- Almost done…
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- Detail
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- Detail
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- Detail
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- Finished the edges
And here is the finished painting!!:
BAMF-VW Microbus – original 24×30 acrylic on canvas
This painting is currently for sale and you can check out the information on my website (here) or also on my Etsy shop (here). Also check out my Etsy shop for other watercolor and acrylic paintings on sale half off until the end of May…but sorry not this one! Please feel free to email me at denisemorencie@gmail.com or contact me on my website Contact Page (here). And join my email/newsletter list on my website!
See you in a couple weeks when I will be talking about meditation and art. A ritual I just started this past weekend and hopefully will continue.
And again, as always, thank you so much for your support of my art. Even the smallest purchase, small commission goes a long way to buy supplies, start making prints, work on marketing and provide for future art endeavors.
Please check out my personal blog I just started http://denisemorencie.wordpress.com/ just about life’s little adventures. I only have one post on there, but will be posting the second one this week.
Also, check out the two affiliate links I am a part of (just making some extra money!). One is e-books for Robb Wolf’s Paleo books to transform your life; I have been following a Paleo lifestyle for 3 years. The other link is for Life’s Abundance, great beneficial food for your dogs and cats…treat them special as our fur babies should be. 🙂 If you wish to purchase either, please click so it links to benefit me!
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Pushing Fear Aside and Having a Huge Art Sale
“Those who would make art might begin by reflecting on the fate of those who preceded them: most who began, quit. To survive as an artist requires confronting these troubles. Those who continue to make art are those who have learned how to continue – or more precisely, have learned how to not quit.”
~from the book Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland
Hello! So, as most of you know, several months ago I decided to devote my life to my art and be a full-time artist. It is something I have always wanted to do, but life always got “in the way”…it was a regular job with so many hours, this comes up, that comes up, can’t get motivated…head would spin and little would be developed. So I dove in head first. Well, I love painting…I mean really, really love it. I have this passion for art that well, only other artists (painters, writers, musicians, photographers, craftsmen…any creators) may understand. It is in our soul and we cannot be separated from it. We must perform our art…it is our work and our life. I do perform almost daily and there is nothing I enjoy more than picking up that paint brush, turning on music and getting to work. And yes, there is the business aspect also…Website, Facebook, Twitter, Etsy, (go ahead and click on all those links…pretty please!) blogging, researching, marketing, art planning, canvas building, art completion…but it’s all part of it. And not to mention the future gallery and art shows gigs I hope to get.
So where does this bring me today? Well lately I’ve developed a lost artistic soul…running out of ideas of how to make money to feed my plan. I need to sell some art…and although some of you wonderful people have purchased some recently (And I thank you from my very heart and soul, which a part of is on your wall), I need to keep growing and moving as an artist…more supplies, abilities to progress my art and my future as an artist. When you hit the proverbial wall, there is angst and tears and mad-dashing horrible thoughts of giving it all up. Then I listened to a podcast by Dean Dwyer, read a blog post by James Altucher , watched an inspiring video once again (see below) and got a couple of encouraging text messages; a sea of warmth and ok-ness came over me. I am going to be fine…I cannot worry…I will make this work. I am a very determined person. I have so much art inside me to share with the world. I am making and will make great art ~ my mantra 🙂
After much deliberation I decided to put all of my paintings made prior to this year on SALE for half off the regular price, plus shipping, for a limited time. There are acrylics (some very recent) and watercolors (some older personal owned pieces I have already reduced in price and now extremely reasonable) and I would be a very proud artist to have my art on your walls. I need room to keep growing and changing. I have a lot of ideas for paintings, marketing ideas and I cannot wait to get moving on and there are more plans in the works. Keep on working on dreams and goals.
There are a couple of ways to purchase. Simply go to my Etsy shop and purchase there with a credit card or Pay Pal or just send me a message on my Contact Page (click away on those links) and let me know what you would like. You may also email me at denisemorencie@gmail.com if that makes it easier for you. And the most gratifying thing you can do for me is to forward this email to people you know…you just never know! My hope is that it could lead to a sale of a future or recent painting or maybe a future custom commissioned painting.
So go ahead and peruse my PORTFOLIO ON MY WEBSITE then hop on over to ETSY (click away!!) or send me an email. Here are a few pieces on sale (but not all).
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- New Orleans Musician Erica Falls
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- Beard of Bubbles
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- Crawfish Boil
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- Sunset Cruise Band
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- 1970’s Love on a Bridge
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- French Quarter Clown
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- Blue Indian – Mardi Gras Indian
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- Tourist and Friend
The following wonderful video is the one I discussed above and every time I have listened it, I have been inspired. I realize again why I do what I do. This is for all those who need inspiration, are working at their artistic goals or want to understand the loved ones who are. Not necessary to watch just listen.
FINALLY! I got this blog-newsletter-email started! And I have ART ON SALE!
Ok, so finally I think I figured this whole blog/email/newsletter and how to attach it all together! I want to make this blog a behind the scenes sort of thing…what I’m up to…my painting process and progress and bunches of other fun (I hope) art stuff. Believe me, I know, mention art or galleries to some people, (even some of you) and your eyes glaze over…so boring to some and I know this. So join me now…
If you don’t know about my art journey then start HERE 🙂 …ok now we can cut to the chase:
I have been living as a full-time artist (with a part time job) for the past 5 months or so and I absolutely love it and finally feel “at home” in my own skin. Happiness is key in life! Well, what would make it wonderful is to not be a starving artist, but a thriving artist! Ok, well, I live a pretty simple life, so thriving is not asking much.
Yes, there are many avenues to take as an artist, which all seem to cost a lot of money (ironic for starving artists huh?). So, I am taking the online route. I have met a lot of wonderful people in my journey of life so far and I have a pretty awesome family, so I am hoping (er, uh begging lol) that you will please forward this to some other friends and lets make this work!! 🙂
So before I tell you what paintings I have on an awesome sale right now, let me explain the pricing process of art, well my art anyway. A painting, or any art, starts with research on the subject matter, building a canvas or purchasing a canvas (which is expensive so I try to build my own), purchasing or taking into account supplies, time to paint, then finishing up and making final touches to have it ready to frame and hang on your wall. I base my painting on time, size (yes, size matters), and subject matter. And this is all just working from my little home art studio. If you take into account displaying at a gallery, well they take around a 40%-50% commission (some more or less). Then there is running a website, time for (um) blogging, social media and trying to get the art noticed by anyone! Really, watching to see if anyone “likes”, “shares” or “re-tweets” can make you go nuts although so appreciated!
That being said, for me to put one of my paintings on a 50% off sale is really, really tough! There is not just time put in my art, but really and truly a lot of love and devotion…very hard to explain. Like time…sometimes I start, get halfway done then prime over the whole thing and re-do it if I’m not totally happy. Nothing is half-assed. But…like “money can’t buy you love”, love of my paintings can’t keep me full of food and art supplies; pretty darn important too! Lol.
Here are the 3 paintings I currently have on sale for 50% off (you can click on the painting itself and it will take you to the “regular” price…so it will be half of that and plus shipping of course (shipping is so expensive 😦 unfortunately). After you clicked on each, which has a full description…then scroll on down this page…
The Surfer – Original acrylic on canvas 21.5″x25″
Beard of Bubbles – 23.25″x29.5″ – Original acrylic on recycled board
Blue Indian (Mardi Gras Indian) – Original acrylic on canvas – 26.5″x31″
These 3 will be on sale for HALF OFF the listed price for the rest of April (maybe longer depending on my savvy tech talents getting this out to you Lol) Please…if you are interested, email me at info@denisemorencie.com or dmorencie@gmail.com or click HERE and send me a quick message on the form and we will go from there. I use Etsy as basically a purchasing outlet and not everything is listed (pain in the butt!), so email is the way to contact me to purchase. And just in case you are wondering…and I know you are!…what else can I purchase from Denise, well just click HERE and check out my portfolio. I will always do a commissioned painting too. I have done some challenging ones and they always bring me a little outside of my comfort zone…which is good. There will be a future blog post on that, but for now click HERE to check out that process of having your own personal art created by me!
Well, I hope you enjoyed my first art blog post! Please feel free to pass this on to everyone you know! You never know… Stay tuned for more coming soon!
Denise Morencie 