how did i get here?

9"x12" mixed media on watercolor
© manon doyle

How the heck did I get here? The above painting started with an image transfer. I hadn't done one in awhile so I photocopied on of my journal pages as you can see below. I then transfered it onto watercolor paper. Once I got it on there things must of changed in my brain because I immediately altered the eyes, chin and just about everything. I really didn't need a transfer because I repainted the whole thing...lol! She actually looks like a sketch I did in my sketchbook. I may show you that on a future post!!


© manon doyle



I would like to thank two extremely talented artists, Marie Theron and Sally Dean, for awarding me with the Sunshine Blog Award. It is an award for creativity and positivity in blogging. I am supposed to pass it along to twelve people that demonstrate the same thing. I can't do it... lol! I feel this way about too many of you so I'm sending it out to everyone!!!!

fill your heart with art

-manon

delectable doyle

mixed media journal page
© manon doyle

I know.... it is shocking that I didn't do black hair...lol!



This is a pic of my daughter, Alex, and my stepson, Pat. The both go to Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. It is also know as OU.... number 5 on the list of best party schools in the country....lol! Alex is a freshman majoring in biology and Pat is a junior majoring in journalism. He is in the Scripps School of Journalism at OU.
One of Pat's projects this semester was to start a blog. Yup ...... another family member blogging....yikes. I didn't even know about it until Alex put it on her Facebook. Well.... it's awesome. He is rolling around Athens sampling all the delectable beverages, from beer to smoothies, that can be found in his area. His writing is both funny and informative. This boy has a bright future. So.... if you've got a chance give his blog a whirl. Something a little different for we artists!! It is called Delectable Doyle House of Beverage.

fill your heart with art

-manon

i pray for Renee

i pray
© manon doyle
9"x12" mixed media on watercolor paper

We were born before the wind
Also younger than the sun
Ere the bonnie boat was won as we sailed into the mystic
Hark, now hear the sailors cry
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic
-Van Morrison excerpt from Into the Mystic.

My heart is heavy. Many hearts are sad. My friend, Renee, has been battling cancer for a very long time and is now passing from this world. I met Renee last year through our blogs. We initially bonded over being Canadian and then it became so much more. Her posts about fighting her disease inspired me daily. She showed us her strength, her fears and her positive attitude. She is a true warrior. Her family has suffered through the death of her nephew and her mother over the past few months and they have remained so strong. My prayers are with them at this time.
Renee..... I never got a chance to meet you in person but I feel like you're a sister. I know we will someday meet and share all our funny stories. I miss you and I love you.

Let your soul and spirit fly, my friend.

manon
xo

i will listen.... to myself

-mixed media journal page

My girls are all starting to look like they could be related or even the same chick....lol! Maybe I need to change up the features. This one looks a little morbid...lol! I know what my mom would say!!!



Speaking of my mom.......lol! My parent's left Canada for a months vacation in Mexico and she told me that she won't have access to my blog. Hallelujah!! I'm sure ya'll remember her concern over one of my posts....lol! Well.... her comments on my work are pretty much daily. I always know she's calling by the anxious ring of my phone. For the next month I will be free ....... free from the *please paint pretty women* calls. My feisty nutjob mother is far from me .... so .... here's to you Carmy.....don't you just love my blog? : ) In the words of my daughter, Alex, when she was six....... *I am the boss of me*! For now!

fill your heart with art

-manon

heart day

9"x12" mixed media on watercolor paper

May it be an evening star
Shines down upon you
May it be when darkness falls
Your heart will be true
You walk a lonely road
Oh! How far you are from home

May it be the shadows call
Will fly away
May it be your journey on
To light the day
When the night is overcome
You may rise to find the sun

-excerpt by Enya (May It Be) -lyrics by Roma Ryan

I want to thank everyone for all your kind comments on Rebecca's blog the other day. I was blown away! Actually.... I honestly thought that you all couldn't be saying these things about me.....lol...... but you were and I feel the same about all of you. I am such a lucky girl to have such wonderful friends. I feel bad if I miss anyone's posts but please know that I'm thinking of you!!


mixed media painting with glass mosaic

Today is the day of love. Everyday is a day of love! I'm sending my *love vibes* out to everyone!! Have a great Valentine's Day!

fill your heart with art and love

-manon

new painting and guest blogging

9" x 12" mixed media on watercolor paper

The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
Emeralds from mountains thrust towards the sky
Never revealing their depth
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above
I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

"I'll Be (Acoustic Version)" by Edwin McCain

Guess what? I'm a guest blogger today..... seriously!!! My good friend Rebecca Collins, who's an exceptional artist that did an awesome painting of Otis for me, asked me to be a guest blogger.....yikes. I'd love you to head on over and check out her Art Dog Blog and my post.

fill your heart with art

-manon

thinking of ya'll

7"x10" mixed media journal page

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ~Marcel Proust

I spend a lot of time alone with my thoughts....ahhhh..... the life of an artist! Yikes! I've been thinking lately about all my family and friends that I don't see often..... I even think about my awesome blogger friends I've never even met. I am so happy and grateful to have all these wonderful people in my life. It's funny how all our lives have taken us in different directions but we have always found a way back to each other.



And the winner is............ Sheila Tajima!! Yay!! I was thrilled when I pulled Sheila's name out!! Sheila is an awesome artist with the Biggest heart and she is my friend!!

fill your heart with art

-manon

i'm an art junkie plus.... a valentine's day giveaway

The other day my friend Ces, who is an absolutely terrific artist, mentioned she was an inkaholic. Well..... a whole conversation ensued. I called her a *supplyaholic*....lol! So.. she shot back at me about my addiction...lol! Ok.... I will freely admit that I may have a small problem with art supplies. When I walk through the door at Blicks Art they roll their eyes. Ya... the part that I hug all the paints maybe a little over the top but omg..... they are all so appealing to me. I just can't get enough. When something is new my mind takes over and I start wondering how I could use this. I swear to you that I may know more about the things in that store than they do...lol! I came up with some ways to tame my wild art ways....lol

My steps to cutting back on art supplies!
1. I must admit I have a problem...... heck yes! I have a HUGE problem.
2. Use up what I have before buying more...... Ok..... this sounds sooo logical...lol
3. Refuse to talk to ANYONE about paynes gray or nickel azo gold or dioxazine purple or cadmium red or..... you get the picture.
4. Cancel my subscription to Jerry's Artarama, Blicks, Daniel Smith, and so on! Ya right....like that's going to happen.
5. Only let myself go into a supply store every 2 months instead of twice a week...... excuse me a minute while I throw up...lol!

When did this list thing start? I seem to be blogging all these lists lately. Anyway.... I reread the list.... ya..... I'm not sure I can do it! I'll give it a try.... my best try!!

Valentine's Day Giveaway!!!!


Since my favorite day is coming up...... surprised?.....I'm giving away my heart...lol! Not my real one but the one above....lol! Leave a comment on my blog or Facebook and I'll put you in the draw!

fill you heart with art and supplies....yikes!!

-manon