My 100th post is ...Dedicated to Arthur Tyrone Douglas !!! "Daddy"

OK, here goes .......I have waited over a year to post this painting. Every time I tried to write this post I would start crying or I would have to stop.... It is the the most sentimental painting that I have ever done! It is one of my favorite pieces. Every time I look at it I smile and tear up at the same time ...

About a year ago I lost my father "Mr. Arthur Tyrone Douglas". It's still hard to talk about him even now..it doesn't really seem like he's gone. My dad was the type of man that never got sick. In fact, I cant even remember him ever calling out of work while I was younger. He had this great sense of humor ( I guess that's where my younger sister gets it from) He would always be joking around with us and anyone he knew. For Example he would say put your ugly daddy on the phone when calling my uncle (lol) But after retiring he started to get sick. He was diagnosed with pulmonary disease and started having lots of problems breathing and was put on oxygen. It happened so fast ..... a trip to the ER then all of a sudden talk about hospice..

Even in his last few day he just didn't seem sick at all, he would talk and joke all day with visitors that would come in see him in ICU...so much that we would have to tell him to calm down and not talk as much because of the breathing machine that he was still on.. We never thought that we would lose him so soon ...even when the doctor gave the new we were still in shock because he seem so happy, he seemed fine ! He was just having some problems breathing...

During that last week I'm glad that I got a chance to talk to him, joke with him, kiss him hug him tell him that I loved him. I'm glad that my girls got a chance to see him and hug him and tell him that they loved him...Some people don't get that. I remember the night before he died me and my twin sister and brother were there to see him and he was telling about what music her had on his mp3 player he was asking about the grand kids and he was himself ...not out of it not drugged up but he was just my dad !!!!  And ..... I love him and miss him so much !!!!

After he died my mom redecorated her den ( well she turned my old room into a den ) and asked me to paint her something for the new room. I wanted to do something for him. This is what I came up with. The name of the painting "Vintage Parents "

I used one of Kelly Rae Roberts technique's. I used sewing pattern papers on the bottom of the painting. The dots along the sides of the painting are from her grand kids ( Atiana and Saniya dipped their finger in the paint and made them) I thought that was cool that they were apart of the painting process. The picture on the right side of the painting is an old school pic of my mom and dad! I absolutely LOVE, LOVE LOVE, this painting.

My new Celebrity Crush ..... Elle Varner

Elle Shellise Varner (born February 12, 1985) is an American recording artist and musician. She was raised in Los Angeles, California by her mother and father who both happen to be songwriters and publishers. At age six she began to play musical instruments, beginning with the flute, and later piano and guitar. She attended many music programs including Amazing Grace Conservatory and The Hamilton Academy of Music's Vocal Jazz Group. In 2008 Varner graduated from NYU's renowned Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music. In October 2009 she signed with MBK/J-RCA Records along with a co-publishing agreement with Sony Music.^[2] Her debut single "Only Wanna Give It to You" features J. Cole and was released August 16, 2011. The song serves as the lead single off her upcoming album Perfectly Imperfect.

Biography

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Elle Shellise Varner was born in Los Angeles, California on February 12, 1989 at 8:59am Mikelyn Roderick and Jimmy Varner. Her parents were both published songwriters, she spent most of her childhood sleeping on studio couches, running around green rooms, and watching her parents struggle to make a name in the industry. Mikelyn Roderick is Cape Verdean and Jimmy Varner is French, African American, Indian, Dutch, and Irish. When Elle was seven years old she suffered a fall down the back steps of a popular church called Jesus Christ Ministries and had to be air lifted to The Childrens Hospital, there Elle was treated for a broken arm and minor injuries to the spine. Elle had to withstand four months of physical therapy for her broken arm. But with music running through her veins, Elle was singing as soon as she could speak, playing the flute at 6 and the piano at 9. But it wasn't until her attendance at AGC (Amazing Grace Conservatory) that her ear for harmony, melody and complex rhythm truly developed. ^[3]
At age 16, Elle picked up the bat for the first time. Frustrated that she wasn't instantly as good as Hendrix, she dropped the guitar and became a part of The Hamilton Academy of Music's Vocal Jazz Group. Once there, she learned about the complexity of the voice, jazz music and talented jazz artists like Ella Fitzgerald. Elle was surprised to discover that she had been chosen to be a part of The Grammy in the Schools Mentoring Program. Through this program she was taken weekly to the Fox Studio, where she met with mentor Kelly Burgos, and President of Fox Music, Robert Kraft.^[3] Soon after, Elle hesitantly applied to NYU with her C average and was surprisingly accepted. Not only did she get in, but also she was admitted into the second class of the Clive Davis Program of Recorded Music. Upon graduating, she was awarded "most likely to get signed" and "most likely to win a Grammy." Four years later she finds herself a well-rounded and cultured singer-songwriter.^[3]

 WHY IS SHE MY CELEBRITY CRUSH.....

 I just love her style. The big curly hair, the funky bright clothes it's just something about her that I really feelin'. I saw her video a few times and thought that it was a really cool song. I'll post the video below. Then...I saw her give a interview on 106 & Park and she was just so down to earth...she just seemed very humble and really excited to be there. I don't why but she reminds me alot of myself. What do you guys think ???

25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in 4.5 Minutes!

With Winter right around the corner thought I would share this video.I found her video on You Tube her channel is called " Wendylookbook". I love to wear scarfs, what a cool way to wear them!!! Hope this is useful to you guys!

Tank - I Can't Make You Love Me [Official Music Video]

This is a Re-make of an old school song. I love the video, it's so sweet. I listen to it all day today literally.  It's becoming one of my favorite videos at the moment. Love, Love the words. This classic never gets old.  Doesn't it just make you want to cry (tear,tear) LOL!  Lyrics are below :



I Can't Make You Love Me"

Turn down the lights
Turn down the bed
Turn down these voices
Inside my head
Lay down with me
Tell me no lies
Just hold me close
Don't patronize
Don't patronize

'Cause I can't make you love me
If you don't
You can't make your heart feel
Something it won't
Here in the dark
In this final hour
I will lay down my heart
And feel the power if you want
No you won't

I'll close my eyes
Then I won't see
The love you don't feel
When you're holding me
Mornin' will come
And I'll do what's right
Just give me till then
To give up this fight
And I will give up this fight

'Cause I can't make you love me
If you don't
You can't make your heart feel
Somethin it won't
Here in the dark
In these final hours
I will lay down my heart
And feel the power if you want
No you won't

'Cause I can't make you love me
No
If you don't
Say you ain't gotta love
You ain't gotta love
You ain't gotta love it
I can't just make you love me
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't

I tried my best
But you put my heart through the test
I can't make you love me
I tried
I tried to get through to you girl
Can't you see that I'm crying out to you girl
I can't make you love me, OH
If you don't

My art Story featured on "dowhatyouloveforlife.com"

Trena Darby 

Doing what I love means living a creative life, like I’ve always wanted to. Growing up I always pictured myself doing something artistic, but never really knew what. I loved to draw and color. I remember drawing these big-headed girls with long dresses in the cover of every book I could find – including every copy of my Mom’s encyclopaedia (sorry Mom!).
After High School I worked. I felt like there was no reason to go to college as I really didn’t know what I wanted to do. In retrospect this seems silly.  I wanted to go to Art School but I didn’t want to move too far from home, My family was important to me and for some reason thought even if I got an Art Degree I would have no real use for it.  I did dream of having a job at Disney or working for some kind of cool comic book company, where I would spend most of my days coloring and drawing. I didn’t know whether that kind of job actually existed but that didn’t stop me from daydreaming about it.

Then Life got in the way, and after marriage and two children I found myself searching for what I really wanted to do in my career.  It wasn’t until I stumbled on Kelly Rae Roberts’ blog, and read her story, that I became really excited and inspired to do this ‘Art Thang’.  Kelly Rae talked about her creative career, her creative business, her book, her licensing deals and how she supporting herself by doing what she loved to do! That was exactly what I wanted to do and that is exactly what I did.
Being a self-taught artist, there was a lot that I had to learn – and I’m still learning. I did research, checked out other artists’ blogs, read their stories, took e-courses, and started painting. I had never painted. I had mainly just drawn and sketched, but since picking up that paintbrush two years ago I haven’t put it down. I love it. I stepped out on faith and started journaling what I’ve learned on my blog. I’m selling my art online and showing it to the public. I’m slowly reaching my goals to do this art full time.

Art has open parts of me that I never knew were there. I really have transformed into the Artist I hoped so hard to be. I have become more creative in my day-to-day life. From the way that I wear my hair to the way that I dress my whole thinking process has changed. I’m finally finding my style and I’m loving the person that I am becoming!
There are still challenges that I have to deal with, mostly within myself. The doubts, the fear, the rejections… I guess that just comes with the territory. I’m constantly researching and trying new ways to get my art seen by the masses. I also spend a lot of time working on it – painting late into the night, learning new techniques trying to make my art more cohesive. Along with being a wife and a mother, working part-time, taking care of other responsibilities and trying to build my creative business there’s not a lot of downtime. Sometimes I have to tell myself “Self, is this really something that you want to do?” The answer is always yes.  I know that it takes hard work and determination.

With hindsight I wish that I did this years ago. I wish I could have told myself not to be afraid to dream. To dream big.  And to follow that dream.
My big dream now is to Inspire people, including my daughters, to live their dreams. I want my art to be seen by the world. I would love to have a licensing deal with a really cool company. To walk into a boutique or a store and see my artwork for sale. How amazing would it be to see my paintings transformed into home decor line? How proud would I feel to see a window display with my art inside? One day… And I would love to write a book and inspire like minded artists to live their dreams too.
[Images courtesy of Trena Darby]

School Daze!!!!

 

New art!! School Daze! This is the first in this series. Yes, I'm creating a series. I love this one. ( I know I say that about all my painting) but, this one really show my growth and I think that it really identifies my style. She is dedicated to my daughter she started school this year. She's lovin it. 

I actually painted this a few months ago. In fact, I haven't painted for about a month now. I know, I have been so busy with my other job lately and just hasn't had the time to get my paint on !! LOL ! I bought 2 new canvases last weekend with the goal to do some big art! Instead of painting I lounged on the couch most of the weekend and watched movies. Slacker  I know....

So, I guess this weekend will be late night painting, music, snacks and BIG ART !!!

Thankful......

I'm Thankful....

• For my so-called Life with all the ups and downs it brings 
• Best Friends " They know who they are"
• For a supportive Husband, that is willing to let me be myself, and love me with all my faults 
• For fellow art friends and fans 
• The drive that I have to continue to pursue this Art Thang!
• For working with friends instead of co-workers 
• 2 wonderful, and irreplaceable daughters they are the reason I strive the live my dreams 
• Sisters " they keep me grounded " 
• To have such a close and supportive Family ( cousins, aunts, uncles, and etc)
• For these hands that give birth to all these characters that you see!
• My followers all 38 of you! And for all the comments that you leave (see there are people that really read this stuff!!!)LOL!
• For my spirituality (JW) that's what makes me who I am ....
• Kelly Rae Roberts ..if I weren't for her and her blog I would have never thought that doing this art thing was worth it !!!!

I'm just thankful, thankful, thankful .......