HOme and Family

I've been doing some virtual redecorating.

Now I am going to do some actual cleaning.

(you can visit my pinterest board to see where everything came from)

We have a busy weekend coming up which is good because my house is

feeling a bit empty these days.

Aaron has been in his new place for two weeks now.

We see him often, but still it's not the same.

I am happy that he found the right people to live with this time.

They are some of my favorite people. 

Eli and Taylor are at Indy until Monday.

(Just got photo via text as I was typing this post. I think I see a little playoff beard there.)

So it's been me and Josh for the last few days.

He had his percussion concert at school last night and they were all really good.

(Of course, I didn't take any picture. But this is him in the shirt he designed for band last year.

Not sure what that face is about.)

Tonight Pens vs. Sens game #5.

Hopefully there won't be a #6. :)

Tomorrow is the premiere of

Out of Tune

featuring Aaron and his bandmates as "Shotgun Facelift".

They'll do some playing.

And some acting.

(obviously very skilled to pull off the 3 De Niros)

Graduation party on Sunday for my niece, Angela.

Pretty!

(I totally stole this from her fb page... or Amanda's)

Hope it warms up by then.

And we are talking about Kennywood on Monday.

Yeesh.

Plus Mike is taking next week off.

So I guess I'm saying, if I'm not around you'll know why. 

Have a beautiful Memorial Day weekend.

Be safe.

Seeds

"Seeds"

-sold-

Like I said a few days ago, I am happiest when I am just painting from the heart.

But I am trying my best to be smart about it.

Maybe not as far as trends or colors go.

That does not come easy for me.

I become overwhelmed and then I become paralyzed.

Heck, I only painted 5 paintings this month.

Too much thinking and not enough doing.

So I am going to stick to what I know (and love),

but still make an effort to offer different options on the same theme.

...make sure I scan the different layers so I have the foundation of a collection.

...pull different little bits out of the art to focus on.

...offer different ideas for each image.

...and try to relax.

Like Cookie... but not quite THAT much. :)

Still trying...

Determined to Soar

This is me in 2006.

No skills/wings, but deciding I

wanted to create "silly little works of art".

Not sure if I can really say I've "soared",

but I've gone higher than I ever thought I would.

Maybe I'll go higher.  Maybe not.

I can't seem to follow the rules of what it takes to be "successful".

I've made note of them.  I understand them.

But I still just want to sketch what's in my head,

paint it up in the colors that make me happy,

and share with whoever cares to look.

As long as I can do that I will be happy

and I will SOAR!

"Determined to Soar"

Earth Angel

I feel good that I finally got a new painting ready to offer.

And it sold fast.  Before I could come here and show her.

Sorry.

She is my little Earth Angel,

and is a lovely companion to my other Virtue Angels.

I think there will be one more. 

Think pink.

Think innocence and purity.

I am going to head out now and enjoy me some nature before the rain starts.

Right now it's just beautiful.

Happy Wednesday. Go outside.

My May 14th desk...

Just a little shot of what's on my desk today.

Love You, Mom!

Have a beautiful day, ladies!

Shop right here on the blog!

Hey you guys!

I promised a place to buy some of my Carson products,

and I am happy to say I finally made that happen.

You can click right here for all the details.

Or on the Shop Right Here! tab at the top of the page.

If you have any questions you can send me and email

at mduda9@verizon.net

or leave a comment here.

Thanks!

Celebrate!

It's Friday!

It's a hockey night in Pittsburgh!!

Sid is back!!!

Seems like cause for celebration!

"Merrier" - sold

IF- Farewell

Reposting this doodle from last year for

the Illustration Friday prompt:

Farewell

Bunny Nap

There's a sleepy little bunny in my shop.

Spoonflower fabrics

Every once in awhile I head over to 

Spoonflower and play around with my images on fabric.

Then I get discouraged with my lack of skills and give up.

Any advice or insider secrets would be welcome. :)

What?!?

Eli spotted this tube of
Schwarzkopf got2b Ultra glued Invincible Styling Gel
at Walmart yesterday and could not help
but notice the resemblance to Aaron.

What do you think?

And speaking of Aaron, does that video
in my sidebar play for you.
It cuts out for me after a few notes.
But if i listen on youtube or Facebook it's fine.
?

Huggable Art

Meet Andrew.

He is an original, one-of-a-kind painting

that you can hug. 

Show the World

Think I can paint a picture for each

line of this song?

:)

Beautiful

 You've got to get up every morning with a smile on your face

                                                             And show the world all the love in your heart

Then people gonna treat you better

You're gonna find, yes, you will

That you're beautiful as you feel

"Beautiful" - Carole King 

"Beautiful" - Diane Duda

I'm better with the pictures, but I'm inspired by the words. :)

Here is what she looked like as a Picmonkey'd sketch.

I maybe should have tried harder to create this effect in real life.

But I like the other version too.

And who says I can't give it another go?

Hello Monkey

It is not often that I do a custom piece and it's, well never,

that I do a piece this big.

BUt I did this time and am so happy with it.

Turns out I really love monkeys in summer suits. 

Oh wait, Marlee Pearl's may have been this big.

So change that never to rarely. 

Anyway,  hope it livens up the nursery where it

is going to live.

Life is precious

Wild for Illustration Friday

Wild flowers!!!

"Smells like Spring!"

The words came first

I knew as soon as I saw them that they needed a painting to live on.

I made myself work on it right away.

Often when I find words I love, or paper I love, or come up with an idea I love I put it aside.

You know, because I don't want to mess it up or waste it. But that's silly, right?

There's always going to be another idea.

It would be worse to never get around to using it.

So "Picking Flowers" is done and in my shop.

And I am moving on to the next idea. :)