11 Years of Paint Party Friday!

(A piece from the archives.)

This week's celebration at the PPF blog is bittersweet...

As we celebrate the 11th birthday of our paint party, we also prepare to say farewell to the weekly meet-ups. When EVA first approached me about starting the blog, I never could have imagined the community that would be created. What started out as a fun way to paint more with accountability and encourage others to do the same soon turned into so much more. Through Paint Party Friday, we have made lifelong friendships with artists from all over the world. We have shared moments that extend far beyond the canvas... we've celebrated joys and supported each other through sorrows. It has been an honor to be the co-host of a party that has helped people connect more deeply through their art. 

(A collage of some of my favorite PPF pieces from over the years.)

I would like to offer a great BIG thanks to all of the artists that have shared their art with us over the years. In addition to admiring all of your fabulous work, I have learned so much about bravery, authenticity, and vulnerability from all of you... It takes courage to put yourself out there, and our goal at PPF has always been to provide a safe space for you to share the art of your heart. My wish is that you continue to share your art and let others see all of the things that make you so special. Saying good-bye is hard, so let's not...

Please come say 'hi' on Instagram so we can keep in touch!

(A piece made many moons ago that still holds true today!)

Before I end my final Paint Party Friday post, I want to give a HUGE shout out to my amazing friend and PPF co-host, the incredible EVA!

Thank you so much for trusting me to be your partner in what turned out to be an unbelievable journey... none of it would have been possible without you.

xoxoxo

2018: 68/365

Today's puzzle piece was created in honor of Paint Party Friday's Birthday!

(I think I may have gotten a little carried away with the bead embellishments!)

It's hard to believe that EVA & I have been hosting PPF for all this time...

Thanks for 7 fun & creative years, partner!

To find out more about my altered puzzle project, please click here.

Happy Birthday Paint Party Friday!

Congratulations and LOTS of Love to 
my friend and Paint Party Friday co-parent, EVA!
Time flies when you're having fun...
It's hard to believe our blog baby is already 6 years old!

To my painting & partying friends,
Thank you for helping to make PPF such a fun community!

(Please be sure to stop by the Paint Party Friday blog because 
we're having a giveaway.)

Happy 4th Birthday/Anniversary/Blogoversary PPF!

Wow... Four years!  How did that happen?!?

When EVA and I started Paint Party Friday four years ago, we knew we wanted to create a site where painters from around the world could "get together".  We hoped it would become a supportive and encouraging community for like-minded artists... What we didn't expect is how many partyers would show up each week, and how many meaningful friendships would be made...  To say we're thrilled is an understatement!

I knew I was going to create a party portrait painting for the PPF blog, but since we invited everyone to create self portraits for the celebration, I thought maybe I should create a separate one for my own blog.  I was in a strange mood today, and that led to a strange self-portrait...

I'd like to end this post by giving thanks to my wonderful PPF partner, EVA... Thank you for your continued dedication, your creativity, your support, your encouragement, and your friendship!

And, to all of my PPF friends... Thank you for helping to make the Paint Party Friday blog such a fun place to visit, for sharing your amazing artwork, and for keeping us inspired week after week!

Happy Moo Year!

Kristin Dudish   #dudishdaily 1

Wishing you an udderly amazing 2015!

Happy Birthday Paint Party Friday!

(Behind the scenes party prep)

Wow... 3 Years!

When EVA and I started PPF, I don't think we ever dreamed it would grow into such an amazing (and supportive!) community!

We are so thankful for all of you... You are the reason Paint Party Friday has become such a fun place to visit and share!

EVA

I can't imagine writing this post without also tipping my party hat to my friend and PPF partner, EVA...

EVA is smart, funny, creative, supportive, loyal, dependable, and so much more...  She is the perfect co-hostess, and I am so lucky to be able to call her my friend...

Thank you EVA!

Me

Please be sure to stop by the Paint Party Friday blog as we celebrate 3 fantastic years!  (We're having a giveaway too!)

Happy Birthday PPF!

To Tracey With Love (And Humor!)

(a page in my sketchbook)

I originally created this drawing for my Clooney-and-tea-loving pal, Tracey, in July.  Then, when EVA & I decided to host a tea party for her, I thought it might be fun to revisit this drawing and play with some new ideas...

It started off pretty harmless.  I printed my drawing and cut it out to try different backgrounds.  But, knowing how much Tracey shares my love of silly (and actually encourages my antics), I couldn't stop there...

So I took George for a ride.

(Yes, that's George Clooney in my passenger seat.)

I brought him with me to the post office.

And, I took him to the grocery store.

(It's pretty appropriate that this photo was taken by the bananas.  Because, if you are taking pictures with a cardstock cut-out of a George Clooney drawing, people are going to look at you like you are... bananas.)

Since George is truly a gentleman, he wouldn't think of attending Tracey's Tea Party without bringing flowers.

Or chocolate!

(I had so much fun with George, I can see why Tracey loves him!)

Out Of My Comfort Zone

A page from my sketchbook.

As a birthday present to myself, I signed up for 
Flora Bowley's Bloom True e-course.

For those of you that have been reading my blog for a while, you probably already know that I am most comfortable painting faces...

And silly things...

"Cinderellephant"

But, the reason I chose to take Flora's class was not do something comfortable and familiar. Or, to have an excuse to clean and organize my studio (although, it was nice to see it that way for a little while)...

The reason I signed up for "Bloom True" was to learn something new.

When I was in art school (many years ago), I was taught to think, plan, explain "why", and then think some more... While I was sketching ideas and carefully planning compositions, there wasn't a whole lot of room left for "go with the flow".

Please don't get me wrong, I learned many valuable things in art school.  But...
I also believe that there are always new lessons to be learned.  And right now, the lesson I need to learn is how to loosen up...

 Luckily for me, Flora is a gentle and encouraging teacher who says, 
"There are no mistakes."

As a recovering perfectionist, letting go is a challenge.
But, if I can get out of my own way, I have a feeling I'll learn a lot about myself (and my art) through this process.

p.s. Even though I work with EVA weekly to make sure Paint Party Friday is up & running, it's been ages since I actually linked a post of my own... I think it's about time!

26 Hearts (A Painting For The Paint Party Friday Auction Blog Hop To Benefit Sandy Hook Elementary School)

"26 Hearts"     12"x12"     Acrylic on Canvas

I am thrilled to welcome you to my auction post for The Paint Party Friday Auction Blog Hop to Benefit Sandy Hook Elementary School!

On December 14th, 2012, tragedy struck as 20 innocent children and 6 brave adults lost their lives in the second deadliest shooting in American history...

I can remember sitting in front of the television with tears streaming down my face as I learned about the unthinkable.  Three months later, I still find it difficult to put words to my feelings... My emotions are still raw and my heart is still very tender at the mention of Sandy Hook.

By auctioning the painting above, I hope to honor the lives of those lost and support the Sandy Hook Elementary School and Newtown community as they continue to heal from their inconceivable grief.

All proceeds from this painting will go directly to a Sandy Hook Elementary Charity.

(Details below.)

A step-by-step look at "26 Hearts".

About the Painting: 

This painting was created with acrylics, love, and lots of layers on a 12"x12" gallery wrapped canvas.  I started the painting by writing my wishes for Sandy Hook ("love", "hope", and "peace") with drippy black paint.  I added bright colors and bold patterns with the intention of finding my inner-child's carefree style.  I added more writing, painted with my fingers, and basically just played.  Since I wanted this painting to be infused with true childlike spirit, I enlisted the help of my favorite little creative collaborator...

Tyler's layer.

My six year old son, Tyler!

Tyler loves to draw fantasy worlds and creatures, and I am constantly finding "maps" for imaginary places throughout the house.  When I asked Tyler if he would draw one of his "worlds" on my painted canvas, he happily grabbed a white charcoal pencil and got to work!  (After he was finished, I went over his lines with white paint.)  Then, I drew in 26 hearts to represent the 26 precious lives lost in the Sandy Hook tragedy.  The final step, after adding some more paint, was to add a little extra "love".

The 1/2" sides are painted black, so there is no need for a frame.  There is a beautiful texture created by the multiple layers, and the entire painting is finished with a gloss acrylic varnish for protection.

This painting will come signed on the back (by me and Tyler).

(The step by step details of "26 Hearts", along with the step by step photo collage above, will also be included.)

Auction Details:

This auction will run from Friday March 15th, 2013 until 

Monday March 18th, 2013 at 11:59 pm EDT.

(I am in New York, to find out what time that is where you are click here.)

Shipping (anywhere worldwide) is free. 

(If painting is shipped internationally, shipping is still free BUT 

the buyer is responsible for any duty/taxes/etc.)

How to bid:

1. Place a bid (with a way to reach you) in the comments section.

2. Bookmark this page so that you can easily check back to see if you've been outbid 

(and need to make another bid).

3. If you are the winning bid, I will contact you.

4. Payment will be made from you to a Sandy Hook Elementary charity (see below).

*I will not personally be collecting any money.*

5. Once you have made your donation to a Sandy Hook Elementary charity, you will send your proof of donation (a forwarded receipt) to me at: 

kristindudish (at) gmail (dot) com

6. After I have received your proof of donation (and you have given me your address), I will mail your painting out to you! 

As you make your bids, please keep in mind that all proceeds go to a worthy cause...

Thank You and Happy Bidding!

Sandy Hook Elementary Charities where donations can be made:

https://newtown.uwwesternct.org/

http://newtownmemorialfund.org/

http://www.mainelovessandyhook.com/

*BIDDING IS NOW CLOSED*

Congratulations Beverley Baird!  
Thank you so, SO much for your very generous bid!!!  

And, thank you to everyone who bid and left comments - your kindness is definitely appreciated!

xo
Kristin

Guess Who's The Featured Artist At The Paint Party Friday Blog...

Me!

EVA and I are currently waiting for more Paint Party Friday Featured Artist Submissions (*Hint*Hint*), so this week the partyers over at the PPF Blog are stuck with me.  

(Don't feel too bad - they were warned!  Ha!)

If you're interested in the interview, you can read it here.

(And if you're a PPFer - Please Please Please send in an interview... We really want to hear YOUR story!)

p.s.  It's "Blogtoberfest" and I'm posting everyday...  

Please be sure to come back tomorrow!

This ICAD Post Is For The Birds...

Literally.
(The theme over at The Butterfly Effect this week is "Birds".)

ICAD #12:  June 12th, 2012

The Butterfly Effect (Birds)

"Modigliani's Nest"

I was flipping through one of my art books earlier this week and came across this painting by Modigliani.  He is definitely most famous for his long necked girls, but there is something about this early painting that intrigues me... I have always thought that her hair looks like a bird's nest, so for this Modigliani-inspired index card I couldn't resist actually turning it into one.

ICAD #13:  June 13th, 2012

The Summer of Color (Week 2)

"Mint Chocolate Chip"

And, since I was already on a roll creating strange haired women, I thought it was the perfect time to create my index card for week 2 of "The Summer of Color".  (In case you missed it, you can see the strange haired woman I created for week 1 here.)

ICAD #14:  June 14th, 2012

The Butterfly Effect (Birds)

"Songbird"

I enjoyed using the "mint chocolate chip" colors so much, I continued to use that color scheme for this bird card.

ICAD #15:  June 15th, 2012

The Butterfly Effect (Birds)

"Anniversary Birds"

Today's card is a just quick doodle...

It's my 11 year wedding anniversary, and I plan on celebrating!  
Wheee!


Don't forget to check in on the super-fun challenges that are going on right now:

Have a great weekend!

Multitasking To The Max!

Paint Party Friday, Summer of Color, The Butterfly Effect, 

Inspiration Avenue, and ICAD...

Oh my!

ICAD #5:  June 5th, 2012

The Summer of Color (Week 1)

"Rainbow Sherbet"

ICAD #6:  June 6th, 2012

The Butterfly Effect (Books)

"There was laughter and French toast"

ICAD #7:  June 7th, 2012

The Butterfly Effect (Books)

"it was quite a hat"

ICAD #8:  June 8th, 2012

Inspiration Avenue (Wishes)

"Firefly Wish"

Life continues to be a bit bananas, but I have learned something about myself during the craziness...

I need art.

(Yup, I really, really do.)  

When things in my life started to go haywire, I set my studio time aside so that I could take care of the people who needed me (it only seemed natural).  So, aside from a little bit of arting with Tyler, some sketchbook play, and much needed mess-making, things have been pretty quiet on the art front... Until now.

What I have discovered is that I need to make art.  That is why I signed on to the Index Card A Day challenge... By committing to an everyday challenge, I am committing to creating something each day (even if it is just a little).

For me, art is a release... It's therapy.  Instead of stepping out of the studio when times got tough, I should have been looking for any opportunity to get myself in there.  I am a much calmer person when I am able to make something, and as a result I am a better caretaker.

So, here I am, back to the challenges and artsy friends that I have so desperately missed! 

Peep Show

(Peep Peep F)

Well, I'm making a fashionably late entrance to the party this week... Better late than never, right?

(Foam stamp, Hand carved eraser, Drafting film stencil, Reverse stencil)

The theme at The Butterfly Effect is "Stamp It!".  Since Easter is just around the corner, I decided to create some quick and easy peep-inspired stamps (and stencils).

Then I played with them in my sketchbook...

(a couple of peeps pages)

("Snow Bunnies"... chillin' with my peeps!)

And, since I wouldn't want to mislead any of my naughty friends with the racy title of this post, I've created one more quick drawing...

(Ha!)

p.s.  Just in case you're looking for a fun and festive treat to make for Easter, be sure to check out the "Chocolate Covered Peep Pops" tutorial I posted last year!