Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Tis the Season

I'm barely getting in one more November blog post before the calendar page turns. It has been the most action packed month ever! We all enjoyed being involved with the Anne of Green Gables cast and crew the previous weeks. We chose the best ever performance to be involved with.




In the midst of performances, I participated in a well attended art event called "Art With A View". I had a room with a view on the 3rd floor of one of our city's beautiful buildings, right down the hall from several gallery coop members that I work with.



Unfortunately, I left my camera on the counter as we dashed out the door to this event. Thank goodness for friends with cameras and the good old cell phone. :)



I sold my Poppies from Oz, The Not in Kansas (Dorothy and the Dachshund), the Tinman and Scarecrow from my Cellphone Pics from Oz, but the biggest hit was the Bon Appetit Y'all Signs (you can see a couple in the right corner of the below pic)



I'm still filling orders for more signs while my Christmas tree is lighted yet undecorated. I've been hit physically with something that I'm not quite sure I caught at the theater or something that breezed my way the day after black-friday shopping. Hmmm....

I have more fun pics to share soon. Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

...and all is right with the world


We are getting down to our last three performances of Anne of Green Gables at the youth center. It's been an awesome experience in every aspect for all of us. We have all learned new things, have been stretched and have been amazed.

My daughter created the artwork that was used on the show poster. We put a quote from the play into the painting and offering raffle tickets to win the painting. That's her painting at the top of this post.

Meanwhile, I'm preparing for a huge local art show. Can't wait to post photos from that event. Have a wonderful weekend everyone. Thanks for stopping by.

Friday, November 11, 2011

The Friday Goodies Go To...

It's Friday!!! Yipppee. Thank you to everyone that left comments on Melony Bradley's guest blogger post as well as Jacquards facebook page and my art studio facebook page. It's time to announce the winner of the giveaway. (drumroll) My daughter had the honor of picking a name...

The lucky winner is



Congratulations, Carol Bray! I will need your mailing address, so if I don't send you a message, be sure to contact me via my facebook page or at art@melaniedouthit.com.

Thanks everyone. Have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Theater Art

My family has immersed itself into theater life thru the Christmas holidays. Our first production starts this weekend. Anne of Green Gables, at the young actors theater, starts this weekend. My daughter has her first speaking part in this play. Behind the scenes, hubby has been helping create the stage, while your truly has been creating faux wood panel walls, and (yikes) a mural! Here are a few photos from one of the rehearsals.





More pics from this production to come later. Today is catch up time in the studio. Thanks for dropping by and do NOT miss out on the Jacquard Paint giveaway I have on my blog post HERE. You have until early Friday, Nov. 11 to enter. I'll draw a name that morning.

Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, November 4, 2011

My First Guest Artist, and a Give-away!

I'm so excited to be welcoming my first ever guest artist on my blog today! Co-incidentally, she and I share very similar first names. In fact, what first connected us was when one of the craft magazines we both design for accidentally got our checks mixed up. How is that for happy accidents? You will love her beautiful creations. There is a give-away, too, so be sure to follow the instructions to double your chances of winning.

Fellow blog readers, I would like to welcome Melony Bradley as my first guest blogger.
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Tell us about yourself and who you design for.

On the professional side, I have been designing full time since 2004. On the personal side, I am newly single. I recently moved from the Memphis, TN area to the South Georgia area. Getting use to the mild seasonal weather is hard! But my family is here and they have been super supportive of my recent changes. I am also excited to be setting up a large studio here, however, so that is more silver lining. I primarily submit and write for print publications such as Stampington Pubs (Green Craft, Sommerset Life and Altered Couture), Crafts n Things and Create and Decorate to name a few. I had my first project published in Cloth Paper Scissors Gifts this year (excited!). I also work on a number of levels with Jacquard Products, a manufacturer of high quality paints, dyes and inks (and a lot of other cool stuff).



How did you get started in your creative journey.

In 1991, I sent a pair of halloween confetti earrings to the then-editor, Julie Stephani. She accepted them and I was stunned! I had a few other projects accepted but did not really know how to make the transition from the corporate world to the design world. I worked in marketing for about 20 more years. The experience the business work gave me was an invaluble part of my journey, which I am still on. After I was laid off from my corporate marketing job, I decided to take the plunge and combine my two loves in life- marketing and crafting. The first two years were spent mainly marketing myself, getting to know the creative industry and how I fit in. The next two years took off for me.



What advice would you give to artists that are trying to find their own style?

Experiment with a number of different styles until you find what seems to come easy to you. Don't give up. When finishing a piece, my test is "do I want to keep this?" If I know the answer is yes, then I know I have designed true to myself and style.




Another thing I do is design according to MY current decor style, fashion style, etc. If it doesn't fit, it was probably forced and that will show in your design work. If I have a vintage style decor theme, why would I be making a pillow in pink and orange? Design with your heart!


(Photos Courtesy of Melony Bradley)

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Thank you Melony! Melony has graciously offered a fun giveaway for my blog readers - a Lumiere Exciter Pack by Jacquard Products! The Lumiere Mini Exciter Pack contains eight 1/2oz bottles of Lumiere, a lustrous metallic paint that can be used on fabric, leather, paper and wood. Pack includes: Pearl Turquoise, Pearl White, Metallic Bronze, Halo Violet-Gold, Metallic Olive, Halo Pink-Gold, Pewter and Metallic Gold.



In order to have your name in the drawing, leave a comment below telling us which one of Melony's creations would you most likely want to create. And if you would like a second opportunity to be entered in the drawing, go to Melanie Douthit Art Studio's Facebook Page
, "Like" it if you haven't already, then look for the Lumiere Exciter Pack giveaway post and leave a comment there. One for one more chance at winning, go to Jacquard Products Facebook Page, "Like" it and leave a comment that says "Referred by Melanie Douthit Art Studio". Three ways to get your name in the drawing. You have until next Friday, November 11. I will be picking a winner after 8am central time and announcing on my blog and on facebook.

**note, if you have trouble leaving a comment on this post, please try another browser. I've also noticed that if you select "preview" , the comment goes through easier.**

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your weekend!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Art With a View

I'm still trying to figure out how to put the breaks on November. (smile). I need another 3 weeks of October, please.

It's been a busy week in the studio. Here is a peek of what I've been working on.



I'm also getting ready for an art fundraiser for the Monroe Symphony Orchestra. The event is called "Art With a View" and is held on several floors of a large office building. There will be art from numerous local and regional artists there, food and music. Doesn't that sound like fun? If you are local, please come. You can find info in the link.

If you missed the art blog hop, go to my previous post and visit the links of the artists listed. Be sure to leave a comment to let the artists know you stopped by. Have a wonderful day and thanks for reading today.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Lions and Tigers and Bears! Oh My!

First of all, today's post is part of a blog hop. At the end of this entry, be sure to see the links to continue on with your artsy reading.The blog hop was inspired by the friendships developed by various artists that recently took a creative business e-course by Kelly Rae Roberts. If you aren't familiar with Kelly, you will love her work. She recently offered the e-course"Flying Lessons: Tips and tricks to help your Creative Business Soar" where she shared everything she has learned in her journey into starting her own creative business. From that course, the participants (fellow creative people) have continued to network and share ideas. (thanks, Kelly!). This is our first blog hop!

What I'm sharing today is (Oh My) my newest crazy idea that I've named "Cell Phone Pictures from Oz". If you haven't figured it out, it's picture Dorothy would have captured on her cell phone if she had one. These are 5.5 x 2" wood blocks and perfect for kids rooms, or those that are still young at heart.














My last mini-pic to do will be the (you guessed it) ruby slippers! I mean, that IS what all the fuss was about, right?

Today is special for another reason - I'm featured blogger on EBSQ's Art Blog!

Enjoy your blog hopping and thanks for stopping by.


To continue to the next blog, visit Michelle Dwyer's Blog.


If you came across the hop by accident, here is a list of blogs to visit

Amaranthine Violet: http://magic-gypsy.blogspot.com/

Amy Hillenbrand: http://amyhillenbrand.blogspot.com

Beatriz Peñas B.: http://beatrizbepe.blogspot.com/

Beth Cougler Blom: http://sobliss.wordpress.com/

Carmen Patti: http://carmenpattistudio.com/wordpress/

Carol Bray: http://theredpaintedcottage.blogspot.com

Christina Fajardo: http://christinafajardo.blogspot.com/

Cindy Jones Lantier: http://www.lantier.org

Connie Rawlins : http://www.dabblinginlife.blogspot.com/

Dana Brock: http://www.dzynbydana.blogspot.com

Deborah Velásquez : http://deborahvelasquez.blogspot.com

Elissa Brown: http://thefreckledarmy.blogspot.com

Hillary Courson: http://www.hillarycourson.com

Jacquie Williamson: http://www.jacquiewilliamson.blogspot.com/

Jane Paynting: http://inkspiredwings.wordpress.com

Janet Forrest: http://tatterednworn.wordpress.com/

Jennifer DeVille: http://jenniferdeville.com/blog/

Jill Lambert : http://www.jill-lambert.blogspot.com/

Julie Hamilton: http://spaark.wordpress.com

Kanchan Mahon: http://Kanchan-Mahon.blogspot.com/

Karen Claverie: http://giddyupletsride.blogspot.com

Kari DeSaulnier: http://karidesi.blogspot.com/

Kathleen Conard : http://newfromoldcreations.blogspot.com/

Kathleen McKinnon: http://harmonyschoolhouse.com/expressions-blog.html

Kathy May: http://kathymaydesigns.org

Kelley Miller: http://www.kelleymillerartworks.blogspot.com/

Kelly Corso: http://birdinatreecreations.blogspot.com/

Kelly Hoernig: http://www.kellyhoernig.blogspot.com/

Kim Hyer: http://www.apaperaddict.com/

Kris Lanae Binsfeld: http://cherishdesigns.wordpress.com

Lenore Angela: http://www.lenoreangela.blogspot.com/

Linda Barutha: http://lindabaruthadesigns.blogspot.com

Lisa Michele Products:
http://www.lisamicheleproducts.blogspot.com/

Liza Zeni Baker: http://lizazeni.wordpress.com/

Lynn Richards: http://alittlebluesky.blogspot.com

Lori Leissner: http://leissnerart.blogspot.com

Lori Moon: http://lorimoonstudio.blogspot.com

Mary Cottingham: http://www.barnbugstudio.blogspot.com/

Mary Sterk: http://justmarydesigns.wordpress.com

Megan Schmitt: http://www.schmittenwithwords.blogspot.com/

Melanie Douthit: www.douthitgallery.blogspot.com

Michelle Dwyer: http://www.magnetisedbylife.com/

Michelle Reynolds: http://shellsinthebush.blogspot.com/

Rachél Payne (Rae): http://collectingyourself.wordpress.com/

Rain Hannah: http://honeyandollie.com/

Rhiannon Connelly: http://www.starrybluesky.wordpress.com

Ruth-Mary Smith: http://patchworkfamilieshub.blogspot.com

Sherry Richert Belul:
http://simplycelebrate.net/cherry-blossom-soup

Shirley Ann: http://leonardarenaissancewoman.blogspot.com/

Stacey Chadwick
Brown: http://staceybrownarts.blogspot.com/

Susan M. Walls-Beverly:
http://www.susanscharmingtrinkets.blogspot.com

Teresa Cash-Czech: http://www.asmilemaker.com/

Tina Carlborg: http://www.tinachicky.blogspot.com/

Tonya Love: http://passport2creativity.com/

Ursula Smith: http://www.EasyScraps.com/blog

Zulma Cadena: http://edustory.wordpress.com/

Mary Cottingham http://www.barnbugstudio.blogspot.com

Have fun!