Beginning Life III

To me this looks deep - life being created right before our eyes … Again it is 3D - I can go right inside this image and floating around with the rest of the pieces of matter and life. We are now at the beginning of this year’s cycle of life (in the northern hemisphere). Time to start afresh!

Beginning Life III, Digital © Diane Clancy

I created 17 different images in the Beginning Life series. Once I got going playing with this set of digital paintings, I couldn’t stop. They are so similar yet so different. Years ago, someone suggested they would be fantastic in a video. I think I know how to do that now and it is on my list of things to do.

This was created entirely in the computer program Painter with KPT filters. As with many of my other digital images, extensive layering is involved to create the translucent properties of this painting.

I think I will translate this image into a different color scheme. Those of you who follow my work know that green is not my usual choice. I wonder what this would look like in my pink/purple/aqua. I will get back to you on that.

~ Diane Clancy

Emma in Butterflies

Emma looks like she is having fun … walking through the butterflies with her dainty little paw gracefully poised. What fun to have these beautiful, colorful butterflies all around. This is part of “Fanciful Animal Images” that are so popular with many people. Emma doesn’t have to worry about prioritizing in her life. Well, that may not be true, she probably has to decide which butterfly to chase.

Emma in Butterflies, Digital © Diane Clancy

But I bet you are like me - often not sure how to prioritize the many tasks that lie strewn over my life (and house.) Actually, I too have many beautiful butterflies to chase … marketing these animal images (making the site, creating more images), online stores (posting more items in my stores, setting up CafePress, starting eBay), reworking my business card as suggested, work for clients, catching up on reading, researching and email, and, oh yes, painting - that’s right, I am an artist. I am sure you know the drill.

Today I worked in the physical world (you know, off the computer). I actually have moved the stacks of business related folders from my bureau and from the table in the living room. Now it almost looks like a house instead of a business (at least that part of the house). Hopefully my new, revised system will work.

Organizing the house, studio, office (same thing) often falls through the cracks. It is very satisfying that it is feeling more spacious here. I think the openness will help me with my other work - be less distracting. Then tomorrow I have to start prioritizing all over again!

~ Diane Clancy

Emma in Flowers II

Emma looks so precious to me as she is stepping forward with her little paw. This digital painting is fabulously cute in my opinion. Tonight I feel that Emma is going through a forest of flowers.

Emma in Flowers II, Digital © Diane Clancy

The other day I spent the day at a workshop that was promoting an internet marketing package that was incredibly powerful and interesting, but I did not feel it was right for my needs. But I did learn a lot about search engines and different techniques.

With their package they offer a great database for keeping track of potential customers and making it easy to send out newsletters. Educating myself about newsletter software is on my list of things to do. I have a database of products and clients, but it is not connected up to the web. I will need to decide if the one program can do the job or … what.

It is also time for me to get serious about getting a shopping cart and getting that set up. At least now I am able to take paypal for credit cards for the convenience of customers. Time for these next business steps!

Animals III

I am sure that all these animals are journeying somewhere important. Clearly, there is a specific place they are going - even though the path is winding … do you know where they are traveling?

Animals III, Digital © Diane Clancy

This is a digital painting that will be very good for licensing. I think these animals are incredibly fun and fanciful. The curves of the animals follow the curves of the paths they are following. Unlike much of my work, the colors are a little muted. Again, these designs would be great cards and wrapping paper.

I am so hopeful that this weekend I can make some progress at getting my work more widely available at Etsy and ArtFlock. I am so excited - I think this is the right timing for me - and hopefully for the market! A new, important step for me.

~ Diane Clancy

Arriving

As you can tell if you have been following these posts, I dearly love this little kitty. I have plans to paint more pictures of him. I enjoy doing this kind of spontaneous painting.

Speaking of traveling (a post another day), this little kitty did some traveling … that is how he was “Arriving.” He went on the journey to the next plane and this painting was part of my grieving process. I see his arriving to a place where he is celebrated as the cool kitty he is … this is his arrival where everyone is delighted to see him!

Arriving, Tempera © Diane Clancy

A friend of mine was training with Michele Cassou to teach “The Magic of Painting as Spontaneous Expression.” I had already found a book and video of Michele’s work and technique before I knew my friend was taking classes. I had been using the techniques on my own, so I jumped at the chance to be a test student for my friend.

Two of the paintings I created in this class, “Arriving” and “Underground,” are very popular for me in cards. Hopefully tomorrow I will get to CafePress besides Etsy and ArtFlock. Perhaps this will be one of the paintings that I sell at those online stores.

~ Diane Clancy

~ Diane Clancy

Abstract Design X

This design is like a mandala to my mind. I like the sense of water flowing and the flames of fire in the one digital painting. This is part of my wrapping paper design series but I am not sure if it would be good for this purpose. It is very different from much of my work - except I do feel incredible motion in this painting and does evoke an emotional response in me. Actually, now that you mention it, there is also a richness of color that is in harmony with my other artwork.

Abstract Design X, Digital © Diane Clancy

That is what I want to share about in this post tonight … this being different from much of my work. Lately a friend said, “I love the whimsical and poetic quality of your work. A true inspiration!” I am very excited about a fellow artist (or anyone for that matter) seeing my work that way.

I have often spoken of color being the underlying unifying theme of my work. This quote from yesterday is making wonder if a “whimsical and poetic quality” could also be applied to my paintings of all kinds. When I think through my work, perhaps this does cross from my oil paintings to my kitty paintings to my designs.

But I have on my mind tonight … am I too spread out? Some reading today suggests that very important to specialize. To not do work that is different from what one usually does. I need to keep thinking about all this.

~ Diane Clancy

Inner Flow III

I can use some “inner flow” internally at the moment. I have been pushing very hard to get this blog and Susan’s Blog up and running and to establish the habit of posting every day. I am happy that the weather is warmer again. I am in a maintenance mode rather than an inspiration mode. But I do feel inspired when I look at this digital painting. That feeling of being uplifted by my images is one of the highlights of my work!

Inner Flow III, Digital © Diane Clancy

One of the ways that I decide if an image is finished, is by how it makes me feel. If the results of my creative process make me feel more connected to my soul, then it is a painting that works for me. I want to be creating more beauty and bring more light into the world.

This is a painting I created in Photoshop with KPT filters with many transluscent layers. This layering gives this image the depth of field that it has. There are dozens of layers in many of my digital paintings. Thank you for being with me as I have been enjoying “Inner Flow III” and, in the process, strengthening my own inner flow.

- Diane Clancy

Freckles in Butterflies

These butterflies are created from nozzles that I made myself from clipart that I have rights to use. I used Illustrator and Photoshop in creating this image while working with the nozzles and layers. I enjoy the almost 3D quality of this painting.

Freckles in Butterflies, Digital © Diane Clancy

These images I have created using companion animals are some of my most popular images for cards. Many times when someone sees “their” kitty or puppy, they immediately want the card or print. It is fun to feel like I bring happiness to people as they see a touching image of their special friend.

Some people have asked me to make these paintings from photographs of their own animals. Because I use layering, I am able to keep the cost more affordable. I have also created specific backgrounds for people’s companions. I am happy that so many people like these paintings so much!

Thank you for stopping by and reading,

~ Diane Clancy

Abby in Butterflies

Thank you for coming to visit this blog. It was very silly, but I loved the last image so much with all the other colors in the blog header and sidebar, that I didn't post for quite awhile. I will work to be more faithful and give you something worth returning to read. This is one of my "Fanciful Animal Images." Abby doesn’t have to worry about prioritizing in her life. Well, that may not be true, she probably has to decide which butterfly to chase.

Abby in Butterflies, © Diane Clancy

I bet you are like me - often not sure how to prioritize the many tasks that lie strewn over my life (and house.) Actually, I too have many beautiful butterflies to chase … marketing these animal images (making the site, creating more images), online stores (posting more items in my stores, setting up CafePress, starting eBay), reworking my business card as some readers in my other blog have suggested, work for clients, catching up on reading, researching and email, and, oh yes, painting - that’s right, I am an artist. I am sure you know the drill.

Organizing the house, studio, office (same thing) often falls through the cracks. After spending some time a few weeks ago organizing, it is very satisfying that it is feeling more spacious here. I think the openness will help me with my other work - be less distracting. Then tomorrow I have to start prioritizing all over again! Of course, the trick is to keep things organized!

Thank you for stopping by!

~ Diane Clancy

www.dianeclancy.com/blog

Animals I

Neda (Papiers Collés) emailed me saying, "I love the whimsical and poetic quality of your work. A true inspiration!" (This is the first we knew of each other!) What a smile that put on my face. That is exactly how I would like to be seen. I am not sure how Neda found my blog (or site), but I appreciate her taking the time to let me know that my work touched her!

Animals I, Digital © Diane Clancy

Today was also a productive day for me for the business! I am now able to accept visa and other credit cards through PayPal. That has been on my list of things to do for a long time. I upgraded my account to a business account today.

I also worked on my Etsy shop today! If you want to visit Diane's Etsy Shop to check it out, please feel free! I now have a Mini Etsy shop on the sidebar of this blog. I am so excited because I have been wanting my work online for sale besides at my website for a long time! I can also put in a PayPal shopping cart and people can buy from my site with PayPal. I hadn't realized that selling through PayPal on your site was totally secure.

~ Diane Clancy

www.dianeclancy.com/blog

Hello and Welcome

My regular blog where I post every day is www.dianeclancy.com/blog - please come visit!

Hi, this is a new blog - I am trying Blogger to see what it is like.

If you would like to visit my other blog, please check out
www.dianeclancy.com/blog

If you would like to visit my website, please check out
www.dianeclancy.com

I am an artist and am learning about networking and marketing online.

~ Diane Clancy