My Creative Process .

I am always amazed when the Creative Process takes hold.

There are days, sometimes weeks, nothing seems to come,

and there are days when in the studio,

it just overflows and time passes quickly.

The process of play and intuition go hand in hand for me.

The hardest thing for me is blocking out time in the studio,

I mean NON INTERRUPTED time,

it is rare these days.

I have been so blessed to take workshops
with some amazing Artists,
attend soul inspiring retreats,

work on some wonderful e-courses

and with each workshop and each book read,

I learn something new ... I take a creative nugget

and apply it to my own artwork.

We are all in this Creative Process together!

I am grateful for the knowledge and experience

I have gained over the past few years.

Now I am creating my own works,

with my own style and techniques,

choosing a color palette 

and designs that speak 

 I have been creating my own canvas work 

to fill my home,

I felt it was time to hang my own work,

not just the work of artists I have admired over the years.

I have created large canvas works as gifts for others,

each one carrying their own unique style,

feeling proud of my own accomplishments

as an Artist.
It has taken quite sometime for me to
call myself An Artist,
and mean it with confidence!

Creativity is a gift,

time alone to create is a gift,

having my own room to create in is definitely a gift.

How I feel a sense of wonder

whenever I enter the studio,

filled with white lights, art supplies,

and inspiration from others!

I am at home with my brushes,
I have learned to just let them move on the canvas,
letting them dance all by themselves.
I love just letting Creativity flow,
there were so many years I tried to follow
others style perfectly, being afraid
to step out on my own,
Believe me, I don't think that way anymore!

The Process is about letting go,
no judgement and certainly no rules,
that is where my best work happens!

Now I am teaching others through An Artful Spirit,
I am thrilled beyond any measure
to share what I know,
every quarter my Artful Spirit partner Suzan Thompson and I
lead others in day long mini art retreats,
the days are filled with magic and creativity!
You can check out our latest offering here
Our next will be held on February 28, 2015
at the beautiful
Virginia Beach Resort Hotel
I would love to see you there
and you too can learn this
beautiful and meditative painting process!

Sending you blessings, love
and all the creative moments you can find in your life.

Donna Lee

An Artful Spirit number three ...

Just capturing a photo moment

Each and every time Suzan and I

create another 

Artful Spirit Workshop

I am thrilled beyond measure

at the results of it all!

I have to say "pinch me please"

for the experience.

Yes there is so much pre-planning

to get to this point,

but so worth the effort put in to it!

I get so excited to see a student

who thinks they can't do it,

actually playing with art,

no judgement, no one better than the other,

no planning

just fun and happy play . . .

magic begins to happen!

 The student who walked in that morning

is not the same when they walked out

carrying their bag full of goodies

and art stuff

THEY CREATED!

Here are some of my moments collected

from this past Saturday's workshop ...

happy creative moments

were had by all! 

I obviously can't post them all!

Beginning with painted papers

Just starting the first creative exercise

Had to click a pic of me and my daughter n law Lauren

Hilary taking a shot for Instagram

Yes ... Instagram ... sharing painted papers

Shelly beginning her soulful collage

Marty just beginning to find special images for her collage 

These collages took a lot of thought and time to work through

Lunch in the restaurant with a view overlooking the Chesapeake Bay

My Best Friend in Life for over 33 years!  Her first Artful Spirit

Did anyone need a paintbrush? 

Playing with watercolors and affirmations 

Heather carefully playing with her watercolors
(Happy Birthday girl)

Love seeing all the concentration happening here 

Sharing our work together 

A Taste of Zentangle
Four tangles taught ... different perspectives

Bright colors and words EVERYWHERE

Coming together to admire our work and take lots of pictures

Collage work complete ... beautiful!

Demonstration of a Zentangle tile

Having fun with rubber cement and images

Simplicity is a state of mind

Elementary Art Teacher hard at play

Toni concentrating and wearing Suzan's art shirt 

YES I would say fun was had by all!

 We are planning these events

Quarterly

and each and every time

we try to come up with new and exciting workshops!

Come on along and join us won't you!

Next one will be April 5, 2014

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel

9:00 am to 5:00pm

see you there!