I wish I was better at blogging regularly...I just can't seem to get into it. Maybe if I had more to share it wouldn't be this difficult. The truth is my life is just not that exciting, and I'm not sure too many people would want to hear about it? Gosh...so...I...went to the grocery store today...and...blah!

I am nearing the end of my Mermaid Circus lessons, and I'm a bit sad about it. This workshop has been a blast, and has really pushed my boundaries much farther than I expected. I've also gotten acquainted with some great ladies that have the same enthusiasm for art as myself. That has been a wonderful bonus. Jane Davenport and Teesha Moore rock their craft more than any artists I have seen in quite some time!

So I'm off to play with paint for a bit...thanks for stopping by!

   As the month of May comes around again, I am trying my best to keep myself busy...hands and mind. It is a celebratory month as James and I were married on the 8th and my beautiful niece Maryah was born on the 7th. As it happened, we also lost her on the 15th... so the bittersweet runs through. 

I can't help but feel torn at this time of the year. I try to move forward celebrating the love we share as husband and wife, and all the special memories and love I was able to have with Maryah. Some days are a bit overwhelming and I try to remember what a gift she was in our lives. She will most certainly never be forgotten, and I pray for my sister Rachel who goes through this loss everyday of her life. I pray that she has answers some day, and is reunited with her precious daughter. So I dedicate my art during this month to the spirit of this beautiful young woman!

Maryah Therese Emerson Tift

May 7, 1994- May 15, 2010

                                                         Dorian & Maryah  circa '96-'97

I am just so thrilled to be a part of this thrilling workshop! These two artists are my absolute favorites, so it's a crazy treat to have them together. I'm learning so much and realizing that even though they are normal, everyday women...they completely rock the art world. I'm not a great blogger, but I'm going to keep trying to get some of my work in here.

Peace out!

MERMAID CIRCUS is coming to town!!

Can't wait to start my new class with Jane Davenport and Teesha Moore! What a dynamic duo...I'm completely giddy!!

 Here comes The Mermaid Circus

Here's a little teaser for the mermaid gals
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZymMONi1XA

I've been playing around with Artrage App lately, and I'm completely hooked. There is so much to learn within the application...but I'm having fun learning! 

Enjoy!

Well a new year has begun, and I too am in a new art class with Willowing. She is an artist I have followed over the years, and she is based in the UK. The class is a year long, and has over 20 contributing artists...some I have heard of some I have not. So I am beginning the year with a new journey of art and I hope to keep up weekly!
Here are the first couple projects to get the creativity flowing, and to just start the year with fun!

The first is a "fairy art godmother" followed by a "journey" page to start the new year.

Altered Paint Brush

So I decided to join in the fun of Donna Downey's Altered Brush project . Seemed like a good challenge for myself. Except when the blank brush came in the mail, I stared at it for over a week! What the heck am I going to do with this.
Well...this is my result. I love Marie Antoinette and here's my rendition!

Enjoy!

***note***  the piece will hang in donna's studio in North Carolina

Great giveaway!!

Dina Wakley has a great giveaway going on through Friday. Take a peek at her blog...it's awesome!

www.dinastamps.typepad.com

I can't say I'm very good at keeping up with this blog...that said, I'll write when I think of it or feel the need. It's not like I have this huge following, so for the sake of pretending I have some fans I'll shoot out a post now and again.
This is one crazy week! Planning a graduation open house is nuts...to say the least. Getting a party "barn" done is an animal all on its own. If I make it throught Saturday I will be amazed!
I will also throw some pics up afterwards...just to prove to myself that we did it!


See ya Sunday...

Spent Easter weekend in the windy city! We had such a great time just sight seeing, doing some walking, shopping, and even riding the subway! Chicago is such a fun town, and I hope to go back some day in the near future!!

I would like to remember these words more often! They so remind me of my mom and how she looked at every little thing that she faced. I hope to do an art piece with this quote in it as a reminder to myself and those around me to rely on God and His wisdom.

So those of you who know me, know I have an obsession with drawers, cool storage, and antiques. Well today I scored this beauty for my studio re-do in the near future! My hoards of paper and such will find a new home in this lovely! It needs a little TLC but I'm sure it can't get too much better. I love Craigslist! Thanks Pete!!

So- anyone who watches "Mike and Molly" is sure to know how funny these two characters are. James and I were lucky enough to see Billy Gardell (Mike) do a stand up routine a couple weeks ago. I was a little worried that he might be raunchy and ruin my whole image of the show. Turns out he is down to earth, extremely real, and absolutely the funniest guy I've heard in a really long time! So glad we went, and laughed for hours!!

So this is my dinner I made last night, and I thought it rocked! LOVED the butternut squash risotto! The kale chip left a bit of a bitter after taste, so I munched on those between bites of the other two things. All in all I was satisfied through the evening, and proud of myself for trying a new recipe!

I can't believe another year has come and gone!/ It truly escapes me how time can go by so quickly. My "baby" turned 18 on December 22, 2011 and it is a strange thing. He is an adult in many ways, but yet seems sooo young to me still. I remember being that age and thinking I knew it all. How wrong was I??! I'm still learning at the ripe age of 43. I'm trying fiercely to give him as much independence as I can, but man is it tough. I just want to hold on for dear life!

So with the new year comes new challenges, and I'm really determined to make this a great year all around. Wish me luck!!

Things always seem to be crazy around our house, as I'm positive for most people. One of the simple things to slow us down and gives us some humor are these two beautiful creatures. They have only been in ours lives a short time, but they are already family!!

Sully and Piper are Ragdoll kittens...Sully the orange flame and Piper is a sealpoint.

After losing our longtime cat Pepe (16 years), I really never believed I wanted another. As a couple months went by, we (I) realized it was very lonely without our little feline friend. So I went on the hunt for another. I had heard over the years about a breed called Ragamuffin and Ragdoll, but knew little. So with some research, I found they are a very people friendly breed.

The search began, and we went through a few months with finding one, losing one, finding two, and then losing them as well. I was heartbroken, but then met these two. We were skeptical, but soon they drove home with Shayna and I, and we haven't looked back. They each have a distinctive personality...and we love them just for that. They bring joy, laughter, and mischievousness into our every day. So today, I'm thankful for the furry four-leg friends in our family!

Hey all...

been busy with family and school starting lately! Did another smaller piece similar to my last post, for Shayna's friend Jenna. She has been dancing for a very long time - so here was her birthday gift. Made it a blondie since that is her hair color!

I created this piece for a fundraiser to open a children's hospice/respite center in Minnesota.

It's called Children's Lighthouse of Minnesota, and is very near and dear to my sister (and our entire family). It was my niece Maryah's wish before she passed away last year, to see this happen.

This was inspired by a work of art I saw in a boutique last year. It so reminds me of Maryah, and her love of dance and life!!

Here we are again...another month has gone by. The summer is fading away, and I'm not sure if I have accomplished much at all? I do know that we've made some fun new memories at the cabin, and with friends and family who have never been up north to visit. So I suppose it's all good!

Looking forward to working on some new art soon...

be well!

Creating today...feels good!