work in progress and a print giveaway

20" x 24" mixed media work in progress
© manon doyle

The last few days I've been showing the progression of this painting on my Facebook Fan Page. It's bright right now...lol. This piece is 20" x 24". I thought I'd get into some bigger works for a bit and move out of my journal. I didn't paint her today because I felt I needed to take a step back and think about what's next. What's next should be toning it down...lol. Omg.... where is my head? lol

Giveaway

8' x 10" print
© manon doyle

I'm giving an 8" x 10" print of one of my journal pages away. Not a heart this time....lol! I'll have this up probably until Monday so if you leave a comment on here, Twitter or Facebook .... I'll throw you into the draw.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter!!

fill you heart with art and color

-manon

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open the door to yourself

7" x 10" mixed media journal page
© manon doyle

“Looking back you realize that a very special person passed briefly through your life- and it was you. It is not too late to find that person again.”
- robert brault

Spending time with my friends this weekend made me realize that I had lost connection with my past. It kind of made me sad. I realize that these things happen when people move away and I just didn't move away.....I left a country. Since I've lived in the US I've always felt that something was missing inside of me. That something was all my friends. It's so easy to not make an effort to see each other but now I've made a promise to myself to never lose these connections again. They are part of me...... past, present and future.

I hope to get back into the swing of things this week. I usually do a lot of artwork when I'm away but this past nine days were mostly art free. That's ok.....I'm refreshed ..... sort of....lol!


Alex pictured on the right in Mexico last year.

I'm going to do a little proud mama thing now....lol! While I was basking in the Arizona sun my daughter, Alex, spent her Spring break in Slidell, LA., putting up a roof for a family that was devastated by Katrina. This is her third year giving her time to those who need it most. The past two years were in Mexico but because of all the unrest there the group decided to go to New Orleans. I have to say that I'm extremely proud of her. While she was in high school she spent most Thursday nights feeding the homeless. She is my do gooder and I like that she is.

fill your heart with art

-manon

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Sedona

I can honestly say that I'm definitely not doing much artwork on this trip.....lol! I may actually need another vacation from my vacation. These Canadian girls are wearing me out...lol.
We spent the day in Sedona yesterday and it's simply magical. The pics don't do it justice. I'm in total awe every time I come here.
Our trip is winding down and I'm heading back to Ohio tomorrow. It was so much fun to spend time with my friends and I hope to see them soon in Canada.







This is my new friend!!

fill your heart with art

-manon

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i feel you near

7" x 10" mixed media journal page
© manon doyle

Find Me Here
Speak To Me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light
That's leading me
To the place where I find peace again.

You are the strength, that keeps me walking.
You are the hope, that keeps me trusting.
You are the light to my soul.
You are my purpose...you're everything.

-Everything by Lifehouse



My cousin, Nat, and I went for a walk this morning and loved this different looking cactus. I didn't realize how huge it was until we got up close. We are enjoying our time out here. It's been sunny everyday ......yay! I'm taking out my camera today to try and get some fun pics. I hope you're all having a great weekend!!

fill your heart with art

-manon

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sketchbook

© manon doyle

Besides doing paintings and working in my journal, I actually have a sketchbook. I use it primarily to keep my hands busy but I do work out some paintings in it.


© manon doyle

This happened because I love tomatoes.... no other reason.


© manon doyle

I play with colors in my book. Kind of like the colors I've got going on here.


@ manon doyle

Well... this one turned into an actual painting. She looks pretty scary here...lol!



In my sketchbook I often use these Inktense pencils. The are watersoluble like watercolors but once they're dry they are permanent so you can layer without lifting the color below........ awesome! I purchased mine here in in case anyone is wondering.
Dick Blick Art Materials

I'm leaving for Arizona very early tomorrow to meet three of my Canadian friends for a *girl's getaway*...yay! I will be taking a ton of pics and bringing my journal. We will be heading to Sedona next Wednesday so look out for those shots....lol!

fill your heart with art and put it in your sketchbook

-manon

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home

11" x 15" mixed media on watercolor paper
© manon doyle

“Home is not where you live, but where they understand you”
- christian morganstern

I now have a Facebook Fan Page. I just thought that I'd add more work for myself.....lol! It's hard to keep up with everything..... omg. Anyway....I will post what I'm working on and other little things that I might not post on my blog. Click the link above if you want to become a fan. I will also be opening an Etsy shop hopefully next month.

Update..... my mother found an internet cafe in Mexico...lol! All I can say is that I got a *do better* email....yikes. She's going home on Tuesday so I'm sure I'll hear more about it!! lol

fill your heart with art

-manon

she's an angel among us

9" x 12" mixed media on canvas
© manon doyle

Our dear Renee has passed away. She is now among the angels. I'm sure she's one of the brightest and probably the spunkiest. She fought a long hard battle against cancer and did with humor and grace.

Cancer affects so many and has certainly touched many of our lives. It has taken too many way before it was time. My dream is to have a cancer free world. Many strides have been made in this war but there is still a long way to go. My mom fought colon cancer a few years ago and she is a survivor. I pray for all those who have lost their battle, and those who continue the fight against this dreadful disease.

I look up to the heavens and send a big "shout out" to my friend Renee and thank her for inspiring me in so many ways!!



fill your heart with art

-manon

spring fever

7" x 10" mixed media page
© manon doyle

“True love is night jasmine, a diamond in darkness, the heartbeat no cardiologist has ever heard. It is the most common of miracles, fashioned of fleecy clouds -- a handful of stars tossed into the night sky.”
- Jim Bishop (American Writer, 1907-1987)



I picked the wrong year for my *embracing Winter* post! lol! It's been a long winter for many of us and we're all ready for Spring. The last three days have been a preview. I hear the birds chirping and know they have Spring Fever......so do I! I'm done with the boots and ready to break out my flip flops. *Bring it on, baby*!!

fill your heart with art

-manon

once upon at time........

feeding the ducks
30" x 22" watercolor
© manon doyle

Once upon a time.......
I thought I was going to be a watercolorist......yikes. I even have a bunch of framed watercolors that I did hung around my house. I see so many of my fellow bloggers that do watercolors beautifully. I'm jealous. I had no patience. The layering, the masking and all my mistakes made for disasters. I couldn't take it. I'm a pretty patient girl but watercolor painting drove me to the brink of insanity.

I photographed a few of my paintings that I did in the 90's for you. lol! Everything seems to be floating....lol. There are floating apples and floating leaves. Even the tree in back of my daughter is just floating along. At least I had a theme going. It must of been because my brain was floating in the pool of frustration called *watercolors*! I admire all of you that take on this medium. I will stick to the other stuff that can cover up my many mistakes.


love those apples
"24 x 20" watercolor
© manon doyle


sue's poppies
30" x 22" watercolor
© manon doyle

Omg... I wish I had a redo on this poppy painting! Did I even know what shading was? lol


maple leaves
14" x 10" watercolor
© manon doyle

fill your heart with art and dreams about being a watercolorist!

-manon