dawny

updated 3-25-14

Hi, my name is Dawny, I'm a wife, mother, grandmother, etc. I've been married for 15 years to a wonderful guy (Dave). My daughter Amber moved home to finish school. She is 32 and her creative medium seems to be cooking. (an my waist line claims she's an artist, lol) My grandson Dalten is 6 and all boy. He loves legos, ( which I don't as they always find my feet in the middle of the night:), the computer games Mindcraft & Roblox, and art. My little engineer, I'm proud of what he creates. We share a love of dragons, Spiderman and drawing. We live with two black cats that think they own us. (Taz and Batman) I've always lived with animals in my life. They just make it better. I'm hoping to get a dog soon. My dilemma is either getting a puppy or an older dog that most people pass on. I'm a christian, who loves Jesus and firmly believes I don't understand everything or much of anything really, and it's ridiculous to judge anyone.

I'm a self-taught (still learning) artist, trying out many mediums. So far I'm attracted to collage/mixed-media. I love trying out new techniques. I have a lot of the specialty mediums to play with.

In 1999 I was in a serious car accident that injured my back. That gave me the time to explore my creative side. Before that I sold wine and spirits to restaurant and bars. I loved it, there was a lot of freedom and creativity in the promotional aspects of the job. Also I loved selling wine so romantic! I'm still infatuated with it.

My favorite colors are purples or reds. I love almost all colors, I find myself attracted to different colors at different times. I don't really care for bright colors, except in small doses. Bright red is my exception! Some pastels are nice, but I usually don't gravitate to them. I love the tinted whites though, something about the barely there color. My favorite metal is copper as well as rose colored gold, I like using metallics in my work. I like trying out different palettes ie. peach, red, cream. Earthy reds yellows and blues. I'm always looking for any unusual palettes.( Any suggestions would be appreciated!)

I love dragons, oriental themes, fantasy/medieval, dragons, fairies, mermaids, dragons, anything fantastical. I love the possibilities of that time period. (not dark arts or Harry P., (I haven't read any of the books yet.) full moons, jesters, Pierrot, & mimes, all felines (the big cats are so beautiful), wolves, birds, travel, time, funny, unusual, faces, eyes, vintage, eclectic or thought provoking themes, intriguing quotes. I've been attracted to harlequin patterns lately. I'm not offended easily. I like artistic nudes and don't have a problem with colorful language.

I really don't like cutesy. Hello Kitty, Disney, Kawaii. I don't like anything about snow or winter. I don't care for pink, neon colors, overwhelmingly bright colors, glitter except in small doses. Very soft pink as a compliment can be really pretty.

I love lemongrass scent. Also most floral scents, honeysuckle, jasmine, lavender, gardenia to name a few. I don't care for fruit or veggie scents. ( They just make me hungry. lol ) I'm allergic to strong chemical scents. I usually burn a scented candle or have fresh flowers in my art room. I find it is as inspiring as music. I've never had anyone say that my work has a overwhelming scent, but thought I should give a heads up.

I've been collecting foreign ephemera. I love traveling, even if only in my imagination:)

I love swapping and getting to know people all over the world. I really love learning about different customs!!

I really want to make something you would love, so I usually have an idea on what I want to do technique wise, but normally wait until I read your profile before making it. For me that's the whole point of sharing art. I realized that I needed an art community to push myself out of my comfortable rut. :) and force myself to do something even when my back is hurting. I try to be careful to give myself enough time to finish and send ahead of the deadlines. If you don't receive something, or have any problems, please contact me and I'll send a replacement, or work things out with you. If you are going to be late just let me know, I would much rather get great art than rushed art. Also I really want to know you received my swap. ( I think I worry more about that than receiving a swap.) especially international. Thanks.

Also it's not necessary to send extra stuff for a heart, I base my rating of hearts on quality and attention to my profile. If the something extra is based on my profile I would appreciate it,( a girl could never have too many dragon images you know) and I will probably heart. I just don't want anyone to feel it's expected or needed. I love receiving art made just for me. I have moved into a bigger house, with a smaller art studio,( go figure ) so I'm trying to down size my supplies. Please don't buy anything for me, if you don't have it, trust me I don't need it! I would much rather receive art you make than more stuff to use, or more likely sit there hoping to be used. I do try to send extras if I have something my partner would like not for a heart, but I have found I have so many things that I'm getting lost and overwhelmed wading through it that I'm not getting any art done. I went through a period that I had to have every new toy and pretty paper to create great art. hahaha I've since learned that's great marketing and when things are too cluttered so is my making art!

I will rate as soon as I get your package, it doesn't leave my computer's side until it's done. So if I haven't rated you, I haven't received it yet.

I love music and listen to it most of the day. I have a weird quirk that I can't turn on the T.V. until 5:00pm. I guess it's being "retired", and usually I'd much rather read. The music I like is, Blues,(Muddy Waters, B.B. king, etc.) Jazz, ( Pat Metheny, Miles Davis etc.) Classical,(Franz Shubert, Mozart, Chopin, etc.) Classic hard rock, 60's 70's and 80's mostly. (Steppenwolf, Led Zepplin, Eagles, Cream, Janis Joplin, Def Lepard, Billy Squier, to name a few.) Of today's music I do like The Black Keys, and Mumford and sons, Adele. I don't really listen to country music, the worst period of my life was filled with country & western. And music always takes you back to those certain times good or bad. I seem to hear the music first, then the lyrics. (The cause of quite a few embarrassing moments, loving a song then having someone laugh at me because of the lyrics.)

Gone with the wind, Life is beautiful, Planet of the apes, Highlander, Star Wars I'm sure there are more, but I can't seem to remember them just now.

Scandal, Grimm, Revenge, The Big Bang Theory, Stargate, Stargate Alantis, The O'Reilly Factor. NCIS, Babylon 5, Highlander, Star Trex, Big Brother. ( I hardly ever get peoples' strategies, but I get addicted to this show every summer??) My husband and I watch and laugh at stupid snake movies when we are bored.The more ridiculous the better.

Altered books, I have books started in these themes,( Dragons, Fantasy/medieval, Jesters, Jokers & mimes, travel, Cats,including all felines, Asian,Wine, art techniques, kind of a test AB.) Collage, Atcs, papercrafts, I'm trying to improve my drawing and painting skills. I'm addicted to specialty & handmade papers, I like making background papers as well.
I've been into making Atcs. A lot of my ATC backgrounds are failed art projects. I have a sewing machine that is very neglected. Just haven't gotten there yet. Hence the lack of curtains in my bedroom. I've journaled most of my life and want to explore art journals. So far the words win out. It's almost like I have to get them out of my head to start the day. Most of my journals make absolutely no sense! I've been published in Artitude Zine. Also I would like to try designing a zine. Maybe on wine.

I love to read! To me a well written book is nirvana. Sometimes I just want a lightweight easy to lose myself in story, (snack) and other times I want to be totally immersed in a deep thought-provoking world, (eight course meal). What I really want is an acceptable resolution at the end of the story. Drag them through hell and back,rough them up, give them some character it makes for a great story, but please let them have some peace or as clique as it is an HEA at the end, depending on the story. The Great Gatsby absolutely shattered me and made me realize that I don't care how well you can turn a phrase I want to be glad I read the book. There are all kinds of books I love. C.S. Lewis is one of my absolute favorite authors, and I think his own life journey was amazing. Also I think everyone should read "The Little Prince" by Antoine De Saint-Exupery it's the best kid/never too old to read book ever, especially if you catch yourself being too grown-up, or need a reason to love the stars. Yes I do cry every single time I read it, yet in a good way.

Fantasy/ scifi is my favorite genre, I get enough reality in my own life. :) I also love the world-building, different ways of thinking. My favorite fantasy writers are Robin Hobb, Karen M. Moning, Sherilyn Kenyon, Shelly Laurenston, Laurann Dohner, Steven R. Donaldson, J.R.R. Tolken, Sharon Green, Patricia Briggs and maybe George R.R. Martin, I'm not sure as he has frustrated the hell out of me. It's more like a love/hate relationship. He's taking way to long to finish is series "Song of Fire and Ice" and as I said before I don't see a good resolution for anyone. Hopefully he will surprise me and let someone I like live.
My favorite christian authors are Randy Alcorn, Frank Peretti, Francine Rivers. Sharon Kay Penman writes the best medieval fiction, I feel like historical accuracy is extremely important to her. Robert Ludlum would be my pick for suspense. I don't care for horror at all.

I also like most art techinique books. I love Lynn Perrella's books. I order both Somerset Studio and CPS. (wish they came on alternating months, Sigh) I really like handmade zines as well. The Bible is a part of my everyday living.