And We’re Off - The 29 Faces Challenge Begins For 2015

Marilyn Monroe drawing and digital enhancements, Art by Dayna Winters. 

As well intended as I might be, when illness strikes the most well laid plans go right out the window. It’s been a long time since I’ve added anything to the blog, as I’ve been dealing with ongoing health issues. Some days I’m so drained, I can’t even get up out of my own way. Other days, I have barely enough energy to make it through the day. There’s nothing more frustrating than having ambitions of any kind, and the inability (temporary or otherwise) to act on them. 

I’m grateful that I’m feeling good now: Enough so that I can take some time to enjoy creating art again. It’s funny for anyone who knows me, it’s as if art has become a gauge indicating whether I’m healthy or not. If I’m not working on something or planning a project, or even just contemplating the next thing I want to do artistically, those closest to me know something is amiss. For now, I’m just glad to have a little energy to do something I enjoy. And I truly enjoy doing the 29 Faces Challenge!

I was hoping to have my first face drawing done for 29 Faces on Sept 1, but I’m often operating off limited energy and need to pace myself. I actually started another image prior to this depiction of Marilyn, but I wasn’t at all satisfied with the direction it was taking. And, I briefly reflected on what it meant to put the sketch aside because I didn’t like it. I thought about abandoned projects, especially in the realm of art. How many artists have canned a project because, in their perspective, the work was not what they envisioned? How many people would have found that same piece remarkable? (No worries, I know I’m rambling here ;) What future ideas, musings, and inspirations might have the creation of the image provoked, now only to be stifled?

So it’s early Thursday morning, I’m on my second cup of coffee, and I’m not quite on full power just yet. Before I decided to post my first image for the month, I also made copies of it digitally so I could play around with it. Sometimes there’s nothing more relaxing than playing with different colors and using digital transitions to change the effects of an existing image. As I shuffle through the various effects I could try, it’s not unlike a meditation where you are completely relaxed and turning your mind from the potential chaos of the day. I think it’s okay to let the brain rest (some of my friends may actually find the fact that I just wrote those words hard to believe ;D), and to just enjoy whatever simple process I’m engaging in at the time, not at all unlike practicing mindful awareness.

To me, art is meditation. Art is perhaps trance-like, at least in some ways. I’ve updated the quote of the day (you’ll find it to the right edge of this page), and it rings true to the idea that art and trance-like states are connected:

“True inspiration overrides all fears. When you are inspired, you enter a trance state and can accomplish things that you may never have felt capable of doing.” - Bernie Siegel

I totally agree. When you are inspired, it is an ecstatic experience where all you can think about doing is acting on the inspiration, following through on the ideas and epiphanies that come to you, and where the artist seemingly loses him or herself in the act of creation. To that end, it’s even easy to suggest that bringing an artistic creation into being can be a spiritual experience and a step toward self-discovery.

On that note, I’m happy to present you with another of my renditions of Marilyn Monroe. I am quite happy with the way the piece turned out. I also love the splash of color I added with a few digital tweaks. For anyone interested in knowing what photo editing software I used to created the different perspectives of Marilyn, I use the free app befunky. I like the different effects the app offers, in addition to the fact that it allows you to add unique frames, text, overlays, and special effects to the artwork you create. Befunky is compatible with Android and iOS devices, and you can use the online version of the editor/collage maker as well.

A final note: Please feel free to comment!  I love interacting with other artists, art enthusiasts, book lovers, and people who appreciate all things creative! Love and light!

--Dayna Winters

A week full of fantastic things!

"It's the season of love!"

So, I've picked up a writing gig for SLAM - Support Local Arts Magazine, and I LOVE IT!!!! I'm having a lot of fun talking with other artists about their work, techniques, and their artistic endeavors. So far, I've interviewed three fantastic artists!  Two of the interviews are already released.  I interviewed professional artist Phil Jaeger who, in all honesty, has some seriously mind blowing art! The details in his work are absolutely incredible.  If I had to choose among my favorites I'd say I love his depictions of "Tortoise House," and "Owl Perch."  Now I could describe the paintings, but I really think they are something you should see for yourself!  Check out my interview with Phil Jaeger on SLAM!

I also had the chance to interview artist Ambre Wallitsch: Another incredible person who is truly passionate about her artistic pursuits.  In fact, she's so into her art she finds time to do it even after working a job and taking care of four children.  Some of her artwork relates to patriotic themes as well, and once you learn about her background, you'll understand why!  The pieces I enjoy the most are "American Eagle, " and "Too Sexy for This Hat!"  Check out my interview with Ambre Wallitsch on SLAM.

I've also got another interview waiting in the wings!  I've had a chance to talk with Bette Orr, a terrific retiree who is pursuing her art during her retirement years.  Bette's favorite medium is watercolor and her images are full of mixtures of vivid and soft colors and nature themes!  I'll be sure to supply a link once the interview is released!

Meanwhile, back on the farm, I've gotten another article up at The Magical Buffet, although I'm a bit late on announcing it!  Last month's column "Connecting the Dots - Journaling and Dream Connections," is available.  What's more, within a few weeks the February article will be available.  If you're wondering about February's theme, I'll give you a clue.  What does passion and abduction have to do with one another?  What's more, what do the two have to do with dreams, if anything?

Soooo.. while you're waiting to find out the answer to that one, on the same site there is now a review of the third book I co-authored "The Esoteric Dream Book."

Also.......( I told you I've been busy lol!).....

I maintain a column on Wicca and Paganism at the Examiner.com.  Now I have the title of Albany Dream Analysis Examiner on the same site!  You can access either column by clicking on the orange badges along the right edge of my blog.  If you like the articles, subscribe so you'll get updates when new ones come out!  To subscribe, visit any article and scroll down to the bottom.  There is a green button to the right that reads "Subscribe to this author."

Playing Catch Up! 29 Faces Post

Well, it's started out to be a crazy month!  It's amazing how much a minor cold can set you back.  I've managed to get some faces done though, and I'll be adding them here.  I'm hoping by the end of the week I'll be up to par again.  First, I attempted to draw Al Pacino...not sure if I'm really happy with the outcome, but I think I'll give myself an A for effort.;)

"Al," by Dayna Winters

The third face for 29 Faces is my attempt at drawing Adele.  I think I was a bit more successful in that regard...

"Adele," by Dayna Winters.

The fourth face is my attempt at Alllysa Milano.  It didn't work out quite the way I wanted, but I'm still quite pleased with the piece!

"Allysa," by Dayna Winters

The fifth face is what I feel is a failed attempt at drawing Josh Lucas.  I just couldn't get the piece to come out the way I wanted it to.  All in all though, I don't think it's a bad sketch.  I have a heck of a time trying to draw facial hair, and every once in a while I discover my sense of proportion seem off.  I still practicing and improving as I go....ah ekk....I'm  a diamond in the rough! lol :)  Now I only have four more faces and I'll actually be back on track. hmmmmmmm who to try drawing now????

It's Time February 2015 29 Faces!

"Anthony Hopkins," by Dayna Winters.

It's that time of year again, and I'm happy to be participating in this month's 29 Faces Challenge!  Admittedly, I'm already a day behind due to a cold I've developed, but I'll make up the difference later on this week. For today, I've attempted to draw Anthony Hopkins.  As I tried to draw his facial features, I realized just how much character his face has, and I found him extremely challenging to draw.  It's true what they say about art teaching you how to see.  When I'm drawing something I see so much more in the way of features and characteristics, versus when I'm just casually looking at something or talking to someone.  Art therefore brings a person outside of themselves, if only for a short while, where they can begin to see the world without the flawed lens of a barrage of thoughts, constant distractions, and blurred perceptions getting in the way.

I am in the process of trying to teach myself on how to improve on skin details and tone values. I've seen some terrific videos online revealing different techniques for creating skin and its little nuances.  Of course, I'm not using sketch pencils and I'm only using graphite which I found out is part of the problem.  Apparently, a graphite pencil cannot give you the different tonalities professional sketch pencils can. It doesn't matter how hard you press on the graphite pencil or don't, it's just not the same effect. Thankfully, I know I have a couple of sketch pencils around the house somewhere, and I've been meaning to try them out. This challenge might be the perfect opportunity to do so.

I'm still working on the finer details of how to draw mouths, lips, fingers and hands.  I feel like I'm making progress, but some days I feel like I've got a long way to go before I'm drawing with the level of skill I desire.  What's nice about the 29 Faces Challenge is I'm sure to get in on plenty of practice.  Also, I find I'm challenging myself more often to take on more challenging subjects.  I'm not sure if I'll use any other medium this month, but we'll see what my inspiration and muses bring me! :)

Until next time, blessings!

A Free Archived Webinar on Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

The American Liver Foundation is offering an archived recording of the live webinar offered on January 15th, 2015.  I was able to watch and participate in the live webinar, but for anyone interested in learning about the disease, I recommend the video highly.  The video explores diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, and coping.

Catching Up - Holidays, Frogs, and Dreams

First, let me share a Happy New Year with everyone!  I hope you all have plenty of blessings in the year 2015.  I haven't blogged in a while, so it's time to play a bit of catch up for a moment.  I've been truly busy with holiday preparation, and while I'm glad the chaotic holidays have passed, I had a really good time this year spending Christmas and New Year's with family and friends.

I had done a collection of just for fun artwork when making gifts for some loved ones.  Everyone was quite happy with their gifts, and I couldn't be happier because of it.  I also received some wonderful gifts and I'm thankful for all my blessings.  You can see the images in my "Just for Fun" album on my Facebook page.  I've been relatively healthy, with the exception of bouts of fatigue and a need for some vitamin D supplements.  I'm looking forward to 2015 as I hope for a productive, prosperous, and abundant New Year. To that end, that is my hope for all.  

I mentioned in my last blog how I had entered into the Save the Frogs Art Contest.  While I wasn't a winner, I still had a terrific time participating.  I had a chance to draw up a piece of work that I polished off with acrylics.  I entitled it, "After the Rain," and included the "Save the Frogs!" logo.  I made the raindrop/dew drop look with clear glitter paint:

,

Save the Frogs! Contest Entry Entitled "After the Rain," by Dayna Winters.

I've also had some fun writing about dreams and their interpretation.  For those of you that may not know, I'm the coauthor of "The Esoteric Dream Book: Mastering the Magickal Symbolism of the Subconscious Mind (Schiffer Books, 2014)."  I've been practicing dream interpretation for more than a decade, and I've recently been sharing some fun articles on The Magical Buffet, thanks to the kind permission of the site administrator, Rebecca Elson.

Dream Interpretation for Personal Growth: First appeared in October, and is an article where I explained how a dream symbol can be broken down into its various meanings.  The article took an in-depth look at the meaning of a house/home in a dream narrative and how it might be interpreted to offer a personal meaning to the dreamer.

Leaves in the Wind: Appeared in November, and it's an article exploring how to make sense out of small, disconnected dream fragments.  I described how to take apart images for analysis, the interpretation of an image's environment, the meaning of color, and how an image can hint on common plays on words or cliches.  I also examined the emotion an image can elicit, running themes, archetypes, synchronicity,  and offered questions to ask yourself for more understanding.

Moonphases and Dreamwork: Appeared in December and was the final article for 2014.  In it I explored moon phases and dream work, the phases of the moon and their meaning, and I touched on how the moon influences sleep cycles and human behavior.  I also supplied some information on resources for tracking the exact phase of the moon.

With the entrance of the new year, you'll soon see some new material appearing on The Magical Buffet in January.  I'll give you a hint about what is to come - I'll be revealing information on what inspired a recent piece of artwork I completed entitled, "Rainbow Serpent."  See the below:

"Rainbow Serpent," by Dayna Winters.

Don't miss it!  Stay tuned to The Magical Buffet during the month of January for more information.  It's going to be a great year as I explore more about dreams, dream interpretation, and how you can use it to enhance your life physically, mentally, and spiritually.  Until then blessings to all!