Whimsical

So I thought today I would post a more whimsical little picture of mine. Enjoy!

The Eyes are the Windows of the Soul

So now it begins. I decided to start with my personal favorite. You see, when I was in college studying art I was struggling with drawing eyes. They looked so flat and lifeless. One day I sat down and worked on a series of eyes, and they were awful. I was so frustrated that I was obviously missing something, so I put it away. The next day I picked up my sketchbook and tried it again. Something clicked. That day I began to draw the most beautiful eyes. What a difference a day makes. I wish I had saved the page of failures to show you the incredible difference but you'll have to take my word for it. These are two of the eyes I drew that day and they still enchant me.

I am Denise Renee'

I recently had a chance to have an individual session with Dino Watt, a body language expert. As we talked about what I really want to do in life, my passion, and my fears associated with that, he gave me an exercise to do. I am to look in the mirror daily and say my name and that I am an amazing artist. He had me practice right then and there. As I said "I am Denise Smith and I am an amazing artist" he asked me who I really am. So I thought maybe I needed to use my maiden name since that's what I've been known by most of my life so I tried it with that name. Still didn't seem right but we moved on with the session. Then it hit me the other day. I am Denise Renee'. That's the name that really truly resonates with me when I say it. I have gone by Denise all of my life but I love my middle name, Renee'. My awesome sister calls me Renee' all the time and even gave her own daughter the middle name Renee' to honor me.

Yes, I am Denise Renee' and I am an amazing artist. In my efforts to pursue my passion in life I need to overcome those fears I have of putting my art out there. You see, when an artist creates they are putting a piece of themselves on paper. People will judge that work, and it's hard not to feel that they are judging you as a person. Art is a matter of self-expression and personal taste. There is no right or wrong. It is what it is. And I am what I am. So I am going to use this blog to honor myself, my spirit, and my purpose in life by sharing some of my art. I'll start with some old stuff and as I open up and grow more, I'll add new art that this whole exercise will help me to create. Judge if you must, or just enjoy it for what it is...a little bit of Denise Renee' - the good, the bad, and everything in between.