I had a show recently, with 5 other  Orlando artists. “Art on Tap”, located in front of Taps, an eatery in Winter Park Village (https://www.facebook.com/TAPSWinterPark).

Sales were brisk, and one of the reasons why was because Taps took photos of the art and placed them on their Facebook page. Lots of the folks who stopped by, mentioned seeing the art on the Taps page (the power of social media).

Taps featured one of my pieces, and like magic, a wonderful girl came around and purchased the art! Here’s a photo:

She’s pretty. Then there’s me.

Here’s the photo Taps put up on their page:

I made some greeting cards for the show, and my daughter Elena made some card designs too. Here they are:

Elena’s cards sold very well, and I think she might just be in business. Aren’t they Great?!

One of the other artists at the Taps show was Jim McManus. I am feel compelled to write about him (the other artists are fabulous too), because he does something I’ve never heard of before. He is a 3D photographer. Here’s his website: http://www.LifeIs3D.com

Jim’s photos are surreal, until you put on 3D glasses, then, you are transported into his remarkable world. When I talked to Jim, he told me about how he started by making his own cameras, to perfect his technique. I really enjoyed talking with him and seeing his work.

Above, one of Jim’s charming photos.

Some Christmas doodles I’ve come up with this season:

More to come!

I have had the honor of creating the cover art for Orlando Weekly’s Holiday Guide! It is a nativity scene, with local Orlando celebrities in place of the Holy Family and three kings.

The celebrities are listed below, as some folks might not know some of the players:

Theresa Jacobs, the Orange County Mayor, is Mary (she’s the one on the left).

Buddy Dyer, the mayor of Orlando, is Joseph.

Dwight Howard is the super star center for the Orlando Magic, and baby Jesus.

Alan Grayson, former democratic Florida Congressman, represents the “Occupy Orlando” by offering the Guy Fawkes mask that symbolizes the movement.

The Honorable Judge Belvin Perry Jr. presided over the notorious Casey Anthony trial, offers his gavel and a menorah.

Miss Sammy, local cross dressing celebrity and advocate for gay rights, offers a pair of stylish shoes.

Last, but not least, uber popular Orlando Weekly Columnist Billy Manes, as the angel. Billy is on the right in this photo.

With the guide, and barrage of in store/online emails I’m sure you’re getting (just like my inbox), your holiday shopping should be all wrapped up!

I am thankful to you, who take the time to read my blog and glance at my work. I appreciate you taking the time to say hello, and even compliment my art. You will be on my list of prayers, when I am saying “Thanks” tomorrow.

Blessings to you and your family. May you have a warm, wonderful Thanksgiving.

This week I have paid homage to Native Americans, who deserve our recognition and thanks. If you click on each image, you can get a larger view.

The House of Blues “Where Art Meets the Soul” Folk Art Festival was fantastic. I met lots of new friends, deepened relationships with fellow artists, and enjoyed the beautiful weather. I took a quick video of my booth:

I created a new series, The Nine Muses, for the show, and sprinkled my booth with Star Wars, nuns and musicians.

Here is the initial sketch for the muses, you can see how the idea started:

Here are some finished Muses:

A new painting of Darth Vader, with Storm Trooper friend:

Since doing art shows, I found out it’s a common practice to trade with fellow artists.

I traded Jimi with Mary Proctor (http://www.missionarymary.com/), one of the most famous folk artists around. She is full of wisdom and kindness. Mary talked with my daughter and I last year, about choices. The conversation was aimed at my daughter, but I got just as much out of it as she did. Mary is a true treasure. The piece I got from Mary is titled “Look and See the Angel is You”. That gives some insight into Mary’s advice for Elena. So sweet.

What’s next? Art on Tap in Winter Park Village. https://www.facebook.com/events/261841023852484/

Art on Tap is 6 local (Orlando) artists getting together for a One day show at Taps, a tapas and wine bar in the village.

What would you like to see there? Looking for anything in particular (art wise) for the holidays?

I am smack in the middle of “Stress week”. The House of Blues show is this Friday, and there is much to do before then.

Here are some doodles I’ve done for November:

This looks suspiciously like an October doodle, but no, it’s based on the broadway musical “Wicked” and was created to benefit an auction that supports the Lake Howell High School theatre company.

A special doodle for a special friend. For the love of the little dogs.

My son turned 9 on November 4th, and he wanted to be an Ewok. So, here is my little Toby as an Ewok from Star Wars. Happy Birthday pookie!

We lost an American icon yesterday, Andy Rooney.

I’ll share photos from my House of Blues tent, and hope to be stress free by Friday.

xo Dawn

A few Halloween themed doodles:

November brings the House of Blues Folk Art Show the 11th through the 13th!

I’ve got some new paintings and lots of doodles. Even One new screen!

Happy treating!

It has been like Santa’s workshop around here. Or maybe I should say the witches den, given the time of year. I have neglected my blog long enough. I will add lots of new doodles, a schedule of events, and a huge THANK YOU for subscribing, visiting and/or reading my blog.

I did a whole series based on Star Wars and victorian dresses.

Here, a few doodles based on the old “Munsters” TV series. Do you remember that? It was such a treat to sometimes get to watch an episode after school when I was a kid.

A doodle of Mary Shelley. Do you recognize her name? She wrote “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus”

A dinosaur doodle based on my daughter’s favorite dinosaur, velociraptor:

You might notice a little Teletubbie reference. That show was an obsession for my daughter as a toddler.

I would be remiss if I didn’t include the passing of  luminary Steve Jobs. A doodle of his wife, Laurene, and a prayer his family finds peace living without him.

Lastly, I have begun to dabble in local politics. I find it exhausting, and I am not at all a political thinker. The reason I have gotten involved is because our school district is on the verge of cutting arts and athletics from their programs.

That just won’t do, so the one thing I can do, is write to my legislators and go to school board meetings. It hardly feels like I am making a difference. So, while being all consumed thinking about it, I started doodling some of the people I am learning about.

First, the Supervisor of Elections for Seminole County, who is a charming fellow and he really wants to know if you are registered to vote, Mike Ertel:

Next, Dede Schaffner, Chairwoman of the School Board, and tremendous advocate for our children.

Bill Vogel, Seminole Schools Superintendent, he’s an advocate too:

Finally, I contacted our representatives in the Senate and the House, David Simmons and Scott Plakon:

Last night our family attended a School Board meeting, to show support for keeping Arts and Athletics in school. I came home feeling like it didn’t really make a difference. I wonder what it takes to get our voices heard? I’ve learned that just one voice doesn’t do. It has to be an army, a force. That is beginning to build, for that I am hopeful.

Some upcoming events:

Pumpkins and Pie at the Mennello Museum of American Art. I donated a pumpkin, along with 30 other artists, to be auctioned off to build funds for the upcoming Folk Art Festival.  My pumpkin has turned into a bird cage, with glow in the dark birds and a double portrait of the Brothers Grimm. A little candy corn makes the pumpkin “interactive”, their website: http://www.mennellomuseum.com/.

November 11-13 House of Blues Folk Art Festival, in conjunction with Disney’s Festival of the Masters. For this wonderful festival, I am attempting to finish a whole series, lets hope I find the time to get them done.

Art on Tap, December 4th, at Taps in Winter Park Village. This event features 6 Florida artists, and will have a Facebook event page when it is closer to the big day. Here’s the page: Facebook.com/artontap. It’s not up yet, but when it is, I will post again.

Finally, the last scheduled show (for now) is the 10th Annual Orlando Folk Festival on February 11, 12 2012, at the Mennello Museum. I am creating the poster for that event, super excited!

If you’ve made it to this point, thank you for catching up with me. I hope to make posts more often, to avoid such a long winded entry again.

Happy Day!

I was thrilled to be part of Timucua, or the White House. Benoit Glazer and his family host a unique experience in their home. It is THE best music, in a room with THE best acoustics in a home that is THE most beautiful white house I’ve seen.

Here’s a small clip of the night in June, that I was lucky enough to paint along with the beautiful music. Featured musician is clarinetist Christine Barron.

I am excited to be featured in the “Artist Spotlight” in Orlando Arts Magazine. OAM is a free magazine produced by United Arts.

Here’s a list, where you can find copies of the magazine: http://unitedarts.cc/docs/oamdistributionnov09NAME%20ONLY_1.pdf

or, mail: Emma@UnitedArts.cc to request your free copy.

The doodles hanging at Lambs Eat Ivy salon will come down this Saturday. It has been a marvelous opportunity to show my work to a whole new audience. Thank you to all the wonderful lambs!

Here’s a doodle I did of the beautiful salon.

While the show at Lambs ends, I prepare for the November show at the House of Blues. It is such a fun experience, I can’t wait to do it again!

Here’s a sneak peek of a new screen painting I’ve been working on:

Happy Labor day!

I am excited to share with you a project I worked on with BabyTalk Magazine. The art director wanted chalk drawings for a layout in the magazine.

So, I went to the offices of BabyTalk, and drew chalk drawings (they had very specific ideas) on a huge chalk board.

Here is the result:

Class of 2028. Can you believe it? Those words were the first thing I chalked for the photoshoot.

Little slugger. The kids weren’t at the shoot. They had already taken their photos. We used a mannequin to approximate where each child was in the photo.

The little devil wears Prada.

This one got my son’s seal of approval. He said, “nice paper airplane, mom”.

In the classroonm, there’s always one student buttering up the teacher with an apple.

Super kid finishes up the series. It was so fun to work on this project, and I made some new friends. It was Super.