10 lessons i learned in 2018

  1. Ask for what you want {yes, out loud}, then work your ass off to get it.
  2. Do NOT apologize for things that do not require an apology.
  3. Self-deprecation isn’t humility, it’s humiliation.” ~ Hannah Gadsby {Nanette}
  4. Stop doubting yourself and just fucking* figure it out {painting your first mural, for example}
  5. *A well placed F-bomb can be very self-motivating.
  6. Find, and hold onto, the people that ‘get you’. They are invaluable.
  7. Women are a force to be reckoned with. Kickass examples: A, B, C, D, E
  8. Selling art isn’t scary. Make a price list, stick to the price list. The end.
  9. Create whatever you want to create. It matters because you matter.
  10. Life is short so book the trip, eat the stuff, and tell the people you love that you LOVE them.
    Thanks for being here in 2018. See you next year ~ Danielle xo

 





diane meyer

Okay, yes, I am totally dating myself by admitting that all of these could easily be my childhood photos. This embroidered pixel magic is the work of LA based artist Diane Meyer… and clearly the perfect choice for my Christmas Eve post. I will be hibernating with my family for the next week or so, and I hope you are snuggled in with the ones you love. Thank you for being part of my artsy world this year, and I will see you again – for a fresh start filled with creativity, new projects, and oh so much art – in 2019.

Special bits from 2018:

ps. My first Christmas / proof that Diane could easily use my photos in her work … there’s even a Raggedy Ann!

Happy Holidays to you and yours, from me and mine ~ Love, Danielle xo





kristin farr

Yep, that final piece looks about right… who else is dizzy? This is the fabulous work of San Franciso based artist Kristin Farr. You’re probably thinking, ‘Whoa, I wonder how much masking tape she goes through?’. Well, the answer is NONE. That’s right, she does everything freehand… okay, now I really need to sit down. I met Kristin earlier this year when I was in California and, I can tell you, she is just as colorful as her fabulous work {and yes, I’ll be getting her on the podcast sometime in 2019!}

ps. Kristin also writes for Juxtapoz Magazine … seriously, the coolest chick ever.





ebony russell

Gasp! Porcelain piped like cake frosting? Oh my word, YES. Delicate crowns that look good enough to eat… but don’t because this ain’t food. Nope, this is the latest series from Sydney based artist {and current MFA student} Ebony Russell, and ps., I would happily pop any of these pieces on my head for my next birthday party. LOVE.





libby barbee

Collages on cut panel … oh, hell YES. This is the work of Denver based artist Libby Barbee and I can safely say, as a collage artist myself, wowza – I am totally inspired! The way she uses cut panel to bring her work to life makes my heart race. All of the pieces above are from her series, titled Trophies, but please look through her whole portfolio to get a sense of her creativity and amazingness… case in point, Libby just finished this fantastic installation at Facebook HQ in Denver {images found on her Instagram feed}:

LOVE.





crissy arseneau

Oh, the dreamy, cloud-filled collage work of Vancouver based artist Crissy Arseneau. These pieces {and a few #wips from her Instagram feed} are from two of Crissy’s most recent series: Cloud City and Suspended in a Sunbeam. See? Super dreamy. Her shapes, color choices, and the way she weaves hard lines into curvy clouds makes me want to take a deep breath… and then run into the studio to cut things out for the rest of the day.





sabrina garrasi

“Watercolour, Ink and Pigments on “Amalfi” handmade cotton paper” sigh. This is the elegant work of Italian artist Sabrina Garrasi. Those inky lines, stone-like textures, and bold shapes… Stun. Ning. Happy Monday.





audun grimstad

Gasp! Perfect folding / flowing fabric, and abstract shapes filled with vibrant candy-colored gradients. This is the breathtaking work of Norwegian artist Audun Grimstad. All of these oil paintings {um yes, OIL PAINTINGS} are part of his most recent series:

” … “Body Cage” plays with elements of fashion design — ornate garments, lush spaces, bold colours — to create abstract arrangements that explore issues of feeling trapped inside the facades we construct around our identities. The paintings hint at narratives about the human condition, where the opposites hope and regret is central.”

Paintings.





daisy patton

Doesn’t that last piece make you want to call your BFF? Or paint? Or paint with your BFF? This is the work of American artist Daisy Patton. Watching her career flourish over the last few years has been so inspiring… she pushes her work every time she steps up to one of those giant panels. More detail, different color combinations, new techniques, and images that all have their own stories behind why she chose them. And guess what? I’m with Daisy right now! Yes, we’re in Aspen together for BIG PICTURE, BABY {a beautiful show that I curated that happens to be opening TONIGHT at Skye Gallery}. We’re putting on our snow boots and mittens, and heading out at 6pm… hope to see you there!





emily moore

I’m flying to Aspen today for a show that opens tomorrow night {see Monday’s post}, and oh my goodness, this gorgeous work is definitely setting the mood. These are just a few recent pieces {acrylic, gesso, graphite, enamel on panel} by Scottish artist Emily Moore. Mountains, chalets, and snowy vistas fill her dreamy 2018 portfolio. I’ve written about her twice already {1, 2}, and yes, I can confidently predict that I’ll do it again and again and again.

Emily’s work is available via Arusha Gallery, Edinburgh.