Thinking outside the box

It's all about the boxes

So this week I have mainly been making boxes, I love painting boxes, the possibilities of what to store in them are endless and it makes a nice change from painting on canvas.

All different sizes and shapes keep my 'job' interesting, I often imagine what people keep in there boxes and sometimes they tell me, this one below is for keeping crystals in next to a bed, how wonderful!

This one is for keeping meditation cards in, its about the size of a fiction book and opens up just like a book, it has a magnetic fastening too.

 

Think too much?

I am working on this one myself, I am constantly thinking, thinking of what is next, thinking of new ideas, how to make money, how to travel, how to have more sex, more sleep, lose weight, sort out my skin, help other people, be more chilled out, be more accepting, judge less, enjoy more things, get involved in more art based stuff, how to become self sufficient totally, what to grow, what to plant, how to build a polytunnel with zero pence, how to stop the chickens squarking at the seagulls at 6am blah blah, the list goes on and on. I want to switch my brain off to quiet mode for a bit, practise meditation everyday (I easily get distracted and forget), learn being in the moment more and accepting what is. Allowing myself to feel and be happy on a constant level, giving myself permission to just be. How do you 'switch' off?

 Did you like the way I joined the boxes and thinking into a witty title? haha I try my best ;)

Love Dotty xx

How to succeed on Etsy

I have been making some new art prints and trying out a new technique this week.

Its pretty cool process, I paint the background and draw some of the boho and floral patterns on them, then take them to the printers to get copies and then draw onto the copies with the quotes and extra drawings.

I'm thinking of holding an exhibition soon, how awesome would that be! I will have to learn what to do and how to go about it first though!

New art prints now available on my Etsy shop, I have been learning how to build up your Etsy shop this week and found a great blog post with tips and ideas on from Twelve Skip

I am always learning and reading about how to improve my art biz, I take loads of notes to but then forget to follow through!

I have been lucky enough to get some one to one business counselling as part of Communities Can funding, I have been paired with a fabulous boho lady called Melanie from Why not change 
to get my business moving and actually earning me a decent wage, I had homework which I love haha and did follow through with them.

Hope you have had a fabulous weekend and if you have any Etsy tips to share, please do, that would be awesome!

LOVEly cards - first studio make

First makes from the new studio are so cute, teeny, tiny valentines cards, perfect for popping into your wallet or purse!. I painted on textured handmade paper, which I love and then folded and decorated them, I love them loads.  Each one measures 15cm x 5.5cm when laid flat.

                                                                         The front

                                                                      The middle

                                                                         The back

                         This one is my favorite, the purple paint has tiny flecks of glitter in it.

                                                            Lovely for friends too

I really enjoyed creating something new in my studio and kept looking round thinking, wow, this is actually real, this is where I get to work! so blessed. What have you been making lately?

Love Dotty xx

Positivity butterflies and angel art

Finished 2 commissions this week for a lovely customer I have enjoyed these so much,

 I was even staying up till 2.30am some nights sticking sequins on, its addictive!! 

These are my favourite art works so far - amazing!! 

Thank you for the opportunity and wonderful brief xx

Thank you so much for helping me do what I love, so grateful.

Love Dotty xx

My dream job - making art

I have a dream, I have had it since I was 12 in art class at school, I drew a pair of hands, shaping a bamboo handle, it was a pencil drawing and my teacher really praised me for it, it built my confidence and I knew I wanted to be a fashion designer, I loved the feeling of making marks on a page and it transforming in front of my eyes, when I was 16 i went to art college and loved it so much, I learnt so much and I really wanted to be an artist and live in Paris (after studying fashion design in London) but alas fate had other ideas and I met someone and was pregnant at 17, I had my first baby one month after turning 18. I had to drop out of art college because I was so ill from pregnancy, I then went onto having 2 more children all before I was 22. I lived life in a domestic bubble (not one of love either, but that's a whole new story) eventually we split up and I was a single mum with 3 children under the age of 5, no time for drawing or painting or much else to be honest. Then after a couple of years of madness and me trying to 'find' myself things settled down and I began painting again, I was a single parent for 8 years then I met my one true love.

No matter how many different jobs I have had or hobbies I have tried I have always come back to drawing, I have always wanted to do it for a living, I can't imagine anything better, I am always telling my sons to find a job they love and they will never have to work a day in their lives, I want drawing, creating art and painting to be my work.

I haven't put this 'out there' before but I have changed a lot this year and next year I am 40, I am just going to be honest and say it as it is from now on, I have been self employed for 14 years and although I have had wonderful successes, its never been constant, from one week to the next I don't know if I am going to earn money, I trust the universe will always look after me and my loved ones, I truly do, but it would be so nice to be able to not even think about money, to be able to know I can do amazing things and help others without having to be thinking where the next bit of cash is coming from. So now I am putting it out there to the universe and the world....

 I want to draw and paint and sell my beautiful creations in an easy and relaxed manner, in a healthy and positive way, in it's own perfect time for the highest good of all.

So I am now taking commissions, Shhh Christmas is coming (#sorrynotsorry) so if you would like your own piece of bohemian art making for your loved one, get in touch or send me a message on Facebook