The Blog of Manon Doyle

dry skin?

2011-11-01T19:29:00.001-04:00

©manon doyle

It's that time of year!!! It's the time of year when some of us start feeling a little like shedding snakes. My skin has been super dry here in Arizona and the humidifier just isn't doing the whole JOB. I love to use scrubs because they really do work. My favorites are the ones made with sugar. Last year my mom and I made this brown sugar scrub and I just loved it. Today I put a few jars together to have on hand.

You will need.........

- 1 cup dark brown sugar (if you don't want it too oily use more sugar)
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (you can substitute other oils such as almond oil or vegetable oil.... I actually used vegy oil today)
- 2 tablespoons vitamin E oil
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- a container with a lid on it. I used mason jars but anything will do. Be careful not to drop anything that is glass in your bath or shower.

©manon doyle

Mix it all together!!! Smells so yummy!! I used more than four cups of sugar and adjusted my measurements because I needed to fill three mason jars. You can play around with this to get to something you like. Remember that when you go to use it you'll have to mix it a bit because it will definitely separate.

©manon doyle

Takes five minutes to make and works like a charm!!!

©manon doyle

This was on my morning walk yesterday!!! So pretty!!

fill your heart with art

~manon

I'm back!!!

2011-10-17T08:30:00.001-04:00

enameled forms
©manon doyle

It's been so long since I've blogged. I'm back.....: ))))!!! There's been so much going on!!! I'm in AZ and I'm taking a ton of classes. This past weekend I took another enameling class. This time it was a 3-D enameling class with Mary Chaduk. Mary was recommended to me by Barbara Minor and it was a fantastic class by a terrific artist. The class was at the Mesa Arts Center. It is a place that I am really impressed with.

These are some of the pieces I worked on this past weekend. I'm so excited to be learning all these new techniques. I hope to eventually incorporate my style in these enameled works.

©manon doyle

Ya gotta love this enameled red!!!

©manon doyle

Soldering class two weeks ago.

©manon doyle

Sawing class a week ago......LOL.

©manon doyle

So.... I had to throw in a sunset!!!! They make me so very happy!!!!!

©manon doyle

I also wanted to show a pic taken from my iPhone. That phone rocks!!! It's almost as good as my Canon Rebel.....yikes!!! lol

Thanks for coming back to take a look!!! I really appreciate you bearing with me!!!!!

fill your heart with art

~manon

falling free

2011-09-15T15:25:00.001-04:00

12" x 16" mixed media painting on cradled Gessobord
©manon doyle

All of my senses overthrown
By the might of your skin
And the lamplight on your cheek bone
Drawing me further in
No sentence I can speak
For the wonder so unique
Breaking like a wave upon the shore
Mercy me, I'm falling free
Since you opened up the door

See how the sky is made of sapphire
The colours flowing through our hands
The moon is fire in your hair
A million miles beyond what science understands
Smell that mountain heaven
I don't remember ever
Feeling like this before
Mercy me, I'm falling free
Since you opened up the door

And if every window pane should shatter
If every wall should fall apart
Well it might hurt a bit
But would it matter
This diamond in my heart
There's no need to nail it to the ground
There's no need to smother it with sense
Just listen to the rhythm of your heart
That pounds and trust it all to chance
'cause we're standing face to face
With the Angel of grace
And don't it just taste so pure

Mercy me, I'm falling free
Since you opened up the door

Falling Free by David Gray

I thought I had finished this painting but I wasn't really happy with her. She needed something so I decided to show the painting to my mom. She begged me to leave her alone so I knew that was my cue to add the cape........lol!!!! When I finished her my mom agreed. The painting needed a pop of color and the red cape seemed to be the answer. There are still a couple of things to finish on the dress but I thought I'd post her today.

fill your heart with art

~manon

friendship

2011-09-12T15:50:00.003-04:00

9" x 12" mixed media on watercolor paper
©manon doyle

Friends are the angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.
~author unknown

I've been thinking about all my friends lately. I have friends that have been in my life for many years, there are those I've reconnected with after a long absence, the ones I've recently made and the friends that I've met through blogging and Facebook. Omg....I am truly blessed!!! I take huge comfort in knowing that I have so many ears that will listen to me, support me and laugh at my stupid comments and jokes!!! I can only hope to be a great friend also. We are all on different journeys but we are bound together by friendship, love, hope and respect!! A big *THANKS* to all my awesome buddies!!! : )

fill your heart with art and friendship

~manon

new painting and an enameled necklace

2011-09-05T14:02:00.001-04:00

11" x 14" mixed media on cradled Gessobord
©manon doyle

©manon doyle

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
~Lao Tzu

I have quite a few paintings on the go and I'm bouncing around working on whatever suits me for the given moment. This is the one that has been on my easel the last few days. She was a paint over....go figure....lol. I liked what I had before but she feels better now. Even though I see a few things I could fix I'm calling her *done*. She actually looks much better in person. I can't get the right light to take a pic so she looks a little washed out. Anyway...lol..... I think I like this one! : ))

©barbara minor

I wanted to post the photo of the collaborative project we did in my enameling workshop at Haystack. Each of us enameled a leaf and then our teacher, Barbara Minor, put it together using rubber!! Pretty cool!!

fill your heart with art

~manon

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts

2011-08-29T13:08:00.005-04:00

©manon doyle

I just came back from a two week enameling class at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. OMG!!!! It was wonderful. There are so many pics to share and so many great things to say about the school and all the awesome people I met. I'm posting more photos than usual so I can give you a little glimpse of where I was.

The first image is of the stairs that links most of the studios and cabins together. It was quite breathtaking. Our enameling studio had a perfect view of the ocean. I now think I need to work daily by the water....lol

©manon doyle

This is my instructor, Barbara Minor, setting up the studio. If you ever have a chance to take a class from Barbara....jump all over it. She is talented beyond belief and a fabulous teacher. I cannot thank her enough for everything!!!

©manon doyle

Everyone worked hard and bonded as a group. It was wonderful to be surrounded by so much talent.

©manon doyle

If you needed time to reflect it was just around the corner!!! : )

©manon doyle

There were so many techniques to learn. These were three pieces that I etched. The next step was enameling......yay!!!

©manon doyle

Test samples of some of the pieces that I worked on.

©manon doyle

©manon doyle

On the Sunday we went gallery hopping around Deer Isle!! What inspiration!!

©manon doyle

This was a pic of our enameling studio. It was open 24 hours a day. If you couldn't sleep you were in luck!!!

©manon doyle

I made many new friends. I wish I had the pic of the whole class on lobster night by the water!!!

©manon doyle

What happens when you go to a workshop in Maine? You find a fellow Canadian who makes sure we all have wine:thirty everyday!!!! Oh wait......lol.....that might of been me!!!

©manon doyle

The glass blowers were awesome!! They made everyone on campus a class to take home with them!!!!

©manon doyle

Our last night was auction night. Wow!!! So many beautiful pieces of art to bid on!! It was a great night

©manon doyle

I got to show our class collaboration. It is made up of enameled leaves strung on rubber. I wish I had a close up!!!

©manon doyle

Kind of sad to leave. Thank you to all the friends I've met and to a place that inspires. I will never forget you Haystack.

fill your heart with art

~manon

working in my old journals

2011-08-10T15:00:00.005-04:00

journal page
©manon doyle

journal page
©manon doyle

journal page
©manon doyle

©manon doyle

The last few days I've decided to put aside my paintings and just play in my old journals. I usually like my 7" x 10" watercolor journals that are coated with gesso but these are in my Moleskins. I needed to change it up a bit. I do coat those pages with gesso also because they are not strong enough to hold up to my abuse on their own. My Moleskins are kind of falling apart but once in a while I come back to them because I adore each one.

I won't be posting for a couple of weeks but I hope to have some good pics from my enameling class in Maine!!! See you soon!!

fill your heart with art

~manon

August

2011-08-04T16:12:00.002-04:00

9" x 12" mixed media on watercolor paper
©manon doyle

There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.
~Celia Thaxter

©manon doyle

Is it August already? Seems like winter lasts an eternity and summer just whizzes by my very eyes. I am looking forward to mid August though. I will be attending a two week enameling class in Deer Isle, Maine at the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. I love working with glass so painting glass on metal seems like a natural fit for me. I've been thinking about this for a while and I'm pretty stoked about going. The class begins on the 14th so I will get lots of pics and blog about it when I get back!!!

fill your heart with art

~manon

stripping away the makeup

2011-07-31T16:30:00.006-04:00

6" x 6" mixed media painting on Gessobord
©manon doyle

stripping away the makeup
looking for the real me
thought I saw her years ago
but discovered it was an illusion
the layers are deep
it's painful to clean
i hope to find strength
and my beauty within
stripping away the makeup
looking for the real me

fill your heart with art

-manon

insanity

2011-07-25T14:38:00.001-04:00

9" x 12" mixed media on Gessobord
©manon doyle

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
~Albert Einstein

6" x 6" mixed media painting on Gessobord
©manon doyle

©manon doyle

I've been taking my sweet old time with this one. I'm posting it as a *work in progress*

The quote about seems to be ringing true to me lately. I'm flippin' insane!! What does it mean when you repaint a painting over and over again? I don't mean taking out a new canvas and using the same subject. I'm actually throwing gesso on existing works and repainting things that no longer speak to me. I guess I could analyze this till I'm blue in the face and I'd probably come up with an answer something like ... I'm actually repainting myself.......yup......I'm a certifiable nutjob...lol. Lock me up and throw away the key or better yet.... get those paintings away from me. : ))

fill your heart with art

~manon

angelic

2011-07-11T14:00:00.001-04:00

16" x 16" mixed media on canvas
©manon doyle

"Kindness in words creates confidence; kindness in thinking creates profoundness;
kindness in giving creates love." ~ Lao Tzu

©manon doyle

fill your heart with art

~manon

out and about

2011-07-06T12:20:00.001-04:00

work in progress
©manon doyle

Art is when you hear a knocking from your soul - and you answer.
~Terri Guillemets

Ottawa, Canada
©manon doyle

I'm in Canada right now visiting with friends and family. My mom is overwhelmed with the amount of art supplies I brought with me.....yikes!!! I told her I needed to keep being somewhat creative.

the market
©manon doyle

In the Summer the market area is bustling with activity. I adore all the fresh produce that the farmers sell. There are many outdoor cafes to sit and watch all the happenings. It's so much fun to be out and about down here.....please say that line with a Canadian accent!!! : ))

©manon doyle

Canada love
©manon doyle

©manon doyle

"Life is like a new hat. You don't know if it suits you if you keep trying it on in front of your own mirror."
~Shirley McLaine.

I didn't buy it but I thought about it for quite awhile!! Wasn't sure when and if I'd wear it!! lol

©manon doyle

I saw this and had to take a pic!! It reminds me to *go for it* each day!!! : ))

fill your heart with art

~manon

my new painting and a book by Carmen Torbus

2011-06-27T13:49:00.001-04:00

9" x 12" mixed media on watercolor paper
©manon doyle

"Never forget that once upon a time, in an unguarded moment, you recognized yourself as a friend."
~Elizabeth Gilbert

The Artist Unique

Carmen Torbus recently released her new book The Artist Unique. It is a wonderful book full of mixed media techniques and a ton of inspiration. The book also features many artists who are my blogger friends. I even have a couple of pages in there. : ))) Congrats to Carmen on her amazing book!!!

You can purchase The Artist Unique at Amazon.com. I highly recommend it!!

fill your heart with art

~manon

quotes for you

2011-06-22T15:00:00.007-04:00

7" x 10" mixed media
©manon doyle

Hope is the dream of a soul awake.
~french proverb

©manon doyle

The stars are the jewels of the night,
and perchance surpass anything which
day has to show.
~henry david thoreau

©manon doyle

Celebrate Summer - Sun drenched days and starlit nights.

©manon doyle

Don't send me flowers when I'm dead. If you like me, send them while I'm alive.
~b. clough

©manon doyle

Like the sky opens after a rainy day we must open to ourselves.... Learn to love yourself for who you are and open so the world can see you shine.
~james poland

fill your heart with art

~manon

if at first it doesn't work....breathe

2011-06-06T11:39:00.001-04:00

10" x 13" mixed media painting on watercolor paper
©manon doyle

May the stars carry your sadness away,
May the flowers fill your heart with beauty,
May hope forever wipe away your tears,
And, above all, may silence make you strong.
~Chief Dan George

©manon doyle

I usually try not to fuss too much with my paintings. I just like to let them happen whether it be good, bad or indifferent. This one was a bit of an exception. I had intentions of making her blanket/coat pretty and bright but every time I looked at her in this way it wasn't working for me so I decided to take a bit of a breather. After an occasional quick peak over the last few weeks I felt that the coat should be plain and I should shift my focus to her face. She spoke to me in this way. I'm not quite sure if I'm done yet but she feels better already. : ))

fill your heart with art

~manon

beautiful tears

2011-05-26T14:20:00.003-04:00

9" x 12" mixed media on cradled Gessobord
©manon doyle

“She said she usually cried at least once each day not because she was sad, but because the world was so beautiful and life was so short.”
~author unknown

detail
©manon doyle

I hope my family gets by now after all these tears I've painted that they are not all sad....lol!!! I've explained it a ton of times to them but my mother still gives me that *I'm not really sure about you* look...lol. In her defense she knows that I easily shed tears. I always have. She always tells me I'm the only one she ever met that can crack jokes while crying....lol. I guess the ability to feel and express emotion is a good thing. : ))

fill your heart with art

~manon

finished before they melted

2011-05-18T16:24:00.006-04:00

6" x 6" acrylic on Gessobord
©manon doyle

Unless your name ends in Baskin or Robbins, I really can't fit you into my schedule right now.
~u. swain

6" x 6" acrylic on Gessobord
©manon doyle

These less than thirty minute paintings are making me happy this week!! : )) I have to tell you that I feel like the Rachael Ray of the art world....LOL!!! She's got 30 Minute Meals and EVOO which translates to extra virgin olive oil and I've got 30 Minute Paintings and GESSO which equals HEAVEN!!!!! Anyway....the big brush is still going strong for now and I'm still feelin' it!!!

fill your heart with art and soft serve ice cream!!

~manon

just paint it!!!

2011-05-15T14:38:00.001-04:00

7" x 10" mixed media painting
©manon doyle

"You are what you are and where you are because of what has gone into your mind. You can change what you are and where you are by changing what goes into your mind."
~zig ziglar

I decided to be set free this week.....lol. My idea was to use a big brush and not take more than thirty minutes on each of these.....well....the shoe may have taken longer but that was because I changed the background multiple times. Anyway.... I got out of my head for a change and it was a very pleasant vacation....lol. I need to start painting in this way more often. My next goal is to do one of my girls with a big brush and just go!!

6" x 6" mixed media painting on Gessobord
©manon doyle

6" x 6" mixed media painting on Gessobord
©manon doyle

fill your heart with art and big brushes

~manon

giving hearts

2011-05-08T14:09:00.001-04:00

7" x 10" mixed media
©manon doyle

“Today, see if you can stretch your heart and expand your love so that it touches not only those to whom you can give it easily, but also to those who need it so much" ~author unknown

6" x 6" mixed media on Gessobord
©manon doyle

I have this thing about painting hearts...lol. I thought I may have gotten over it by now but I love using them in many of my works. I've given all the heart paintings away. I like to share them. It makes me feel so full of joy to let someone know that they have a beautiful heart. So many of you do the most wonderful things on a daily basis and it truly inspires me. I hope that I will get around to giving you all hearts one day!! : ))

fill your heart with art

~manon

slowly returning

2011-04-19T11:35:00.004-04:00

7" x 10" mixed media painting
© manon doyle

in your eyes
the light the heat
in your eyes
I am complete
in your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
in your eyes
the resolution of all the fruitless searches
in your eyes
I see the light and the heat
in your eyes
oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light
the heat I see in your eyes
~peter gabriel

Hey, ya'll!!! I am not back to regular blogging quite yet but I thought I'd post my latest painting to at least show that I was slowly starting to get something done.....lol. I've missed your blogs over the past month!!!! Can't wait to catch up and see what everyone is doing!!!

fill your heart with art

~manon

lovin' the sun

2011-03-03T16:50:00.012-05:00

7" x 10" mixed media journal page
©manon doyle

“A small key opens big doors."

I'm still out in AZ. This is the only thing I've accomplished.....lol...well.....that's not quite right because I did paint another 11" x 14" piece that I cannot share at this moment...lol...so...hey....I've done a lot....lol!!

©manon doyle

The weather has been beautiful except for one day when I woke up to a dusting of snow but it disappeared as soon as I sneezed! : )) I'm really enjoying the sun after all that cold weather up North this year!!
Sorry if I've missed a bunch of blogs. I will be coming to visit real soon because I miss ya'll!!

fill your heart with art

~manon

flawless imperfection

2011-02-20T13:44:00.001-05:00

9" x 12" mixed media on 300 lb watercolor paper
©manon doyle

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye.
~Miss Piggy

I seem to have gone a little overboard on the molding paste in this painting. I thought a whole minute about fixing her but I like that she's not perfect. I never paint anything that's flawless so why start now.....lol.

I'm heading out to the Valley of the Sun on Tuesday. I will be bringing some paint with me to AZ so I can work in my journal. I'll see ya'll from there!

fill your heart with art

~manon

a little of this and that

2011-02-15T13:52:00.002-05:00

©manon doyle

I've got so much going on right now that I'm looking for time to paint....yikes!! The other day I did get a chance to hightail it over to Blick's and bought my favorite 6" x 6" boards. I gave them all a coat of molding paste and threw on some more gesso. : )). Btw....I only spent an hour in there incase anyone was wondering.... : ))))

©manon doyle

Yes, yes....it's always a mess on my palette. This is the good one actually....lol.

9" x 12" work in progress on 300 lb watercolor paper
©manon doyle

This is the start of a new painting. I will continue to paint her and figure out if the background will stay or go. I am the maker of mud.....that's what that background color looks like so far....lol.

fill your heart with art

~manon

new journal page

2011-02-10T18:56:00.004-05:00

7" x 10" mixed media painting
©manon doyle

I'm posting this page not because I'm finished or happy with her but because I wanted to say that I really don't like light molding paste. I usually use the regular molding paste but yesterday I noticed I had a small jar of the light stuff and I thought I'd throw it on. I'm not sure why but I'm definitely not feeling it....lol.

This is what she looked like with her underpainting!! LOL! Looks like she'd be a candidate for the Blue Man Group!! : ))

fill your heart with art

~manon

a gift for me

2011-02-06T13:52:00.004-05:00

*time to sea*
©samuel sloma

Around Christmas time I had the pleasure of meeting Sam. He is my daughter Alex's friend. They both attend Ohio University and Sam is on an internship in Ireland right now. We got to talking a bit and he is a very creative guy. He had spent a few years collecting interesting antiques and objects and fashioning them into necklaces. Two days ago I received a gift from Sam. My heart was touched. My necklace is called *time to sea*. He wrote me that the piece was made from Lake Erie lake glass, a 1940 Bearus cocktail watch and what's left of an early 20th century rosary. (I guess the tattoo I have helped influence the rosary....lol) There's definitely a lot about me in this necklace and I wanted to share it with you.

Thank you so very much, Sam Sloma!!

*time to sea*
©samuel sloma

watercolor
©manon doyle

I decided to share a very old painting of mine when I thought for a whole second that watercolors were my thing....lol. Anyway.... I just love poppies but I can see in this painting that I had no concept of proper shading....lol. I still like looking at it though. It's a good thing this one is behind glass or it would most definitely get a *manon makeover*...lol!!

And the winner is......

Lisa Holtzman! Please check out Lisa's blog. She is an amazing calligrapher and artist!!

Thank you so much for all the lovely comments on my heart giveaway!! I wish I had one for all of you!!

fill your heart with art

~manon

journal page and a GIVEAWAY!!!

2011-02-02T13:58:00.002-05:00

7" x 10" mixed media journal page
©manon doyle

It is written on the arched sky; it looks out from every star. It is the poetry of Nature; it is that which uplifts the spirit within us.
~john ruskin

When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.
~buddha

I've often been asked if I find the poems or songs that I post before I paint something or is it the other way around. Usually I do a painting, write in my words and then I'll see a quote or hear lyrics that match what I may be trying to say but sometimes it's the other way around. There's no rhyme or reason....lol. Today there were two quotes that fit the bill for this painting. I couldn't pick one so I went with both. : ))

VALENTINE'S DAY GIVEAWAY

6" x 6" mixed media on board
©manon doyle

To all my beautiful hearted friends!!!!! I would like to giveaway a little painting to one of you for Valentine's Day!! Leave me a comment here or on my Facebook art page and I will put you into the drawing!!

fill your heart with art

~manon

my lack of brushstrokes

2011-01-30T14:29:00.001-05:00

7" x 10" mixed media journal page
©manon doyle

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.
~ judy garland

©manon doyle

©manon doyle

Lately I've read in some art magazines to pay attention to your brushstrokes......seriously?...lol.....OMG!! Brushstrokes? How bout finger strokes? lol. The reason I will never be a fine artist is because quite honestly I have no flippin' idea what a good brushstroke is or how to do one. Where do I find one? I don't think what I do has any kind of technical merit.....lol. I smoosh, smear, wipe and so on. When I do use my brushes I'm not very careful with the application or even their care.....yikes. I guess those articles weren't written for me....but....I do enjoy reading them...lol.

fill your heart with art

~manon

i miss my Moleskin

2011-01-26T14:47:00.002-05:00

mixed media in Moleskin
©manon doyle

I was going through my old Moleskin journals earlier. I miss working in them. I switched to a 7" x 10" watercolor journal a couple of years ago because I was putting so much stuff in my Moleskins that they were starting to fall apart.....yikes. Every time I open them up now they make a crunching sound...lol. It might be due to all the gesso....or maybe the soft gel medium or the acrylics paints....lol. I should of stuck to just drawing in them.....lol. I do adore them though!!

mixed media in Moleskin
©manon doyle

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.”
~ rabindranath tagore

mixed media in Moleskin
©manon doyle

Yup....there I am...lol. The little dreamer. My head seems to be always stuck in the clouds....lol.

Moleskin journals
©manon doyle

fill your heart with art

~manon

painting hearts

2011-01-23T14:23:00.002-05:00

9" x 12" mixed media painting on 300 lb watercolor paper
©manon doyle

I hope with all my heart there will be painting in heaven.
~ jean-baptiste corot

I love that quote and I honestly hope for the same thing. Ok.... I'm also hoping that there is a heaven and I'm eligible.....lol. I think that some of you are laughing at that statement....lol.... I'm trying my best though....lol.

6" x 6" mixed media painting on board
©manon doyle

I'm in the heart painting mode so I'm going with that for awhile. We are close to Valentine's day after all. : ))

Man...it's super cold up here. It hurts to breathe in this weather...yikes. I put my feet up earlier and was dreaming of warmer days.

fill your heart with art and hearts

~manon

my dream

2011-01-19T16:55:00.003-05:00

I spoke of revealing my intentions for this year so ....here I go. I'll try and make it as short as I can....lol. I was inspired by my daughter, Alex, when years ago she started giving her Spring break up to go to Mexico and New Orleans to build houses for those in need. She also gave up many Thursday nights to help feed the hungry. She will be going to Mexico again this year on another mission trip. Anyway....this made me feel that I wasn't doing my part. I also wanted to give back.

set of three cards donated to the James Cancer Hospital
©manon doyle

I decided to start a small company to sell my artwork and have a good part of my intake go back to a worthy cause. I kicked it off this past fall with 500 packages of three cards donation to the *Up on the Roof* gala event for the James Cancer Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Cancer is a cause that is dear to my heart so it felt good to start with that and it was warmly received.

This is my logo above that I'm very proud of. Sisters of the Sun™ means a lot to me. The *sisters* part started out because I was painting so many women and I felt a kinship with sisterhood but it has become so much more. I want to paint works that convey hope, faith and belief. The sun to me represents happiness, light, energy, life and spirituality. The rising sun is a symbol of hope. The heart...lol....well...I think you probably have seen so many of these in my paintings that you all get this but in my sun it means warmth, love, compassion and a spirit of giving.

I will be starting an Etsy shop soon to make available a limited selection of cards, prints and maybe some originals but my bigger goal is to work with a cause that fills my heart with joy.

fill your heart with art

~manon

I am me

2011-01-16T15:45:00.007-05:00

11" x 15" mixed media on 300 lb watercolor paper
©manon doyle

You are part of me now
You touched me,
With your kindness and love
So enchanted.
Your soft lips are kind.
Your eyes glow with life.
I'm glad you touched me,
You're part of me now.

~Lloyd Carl Owle (Cherokee)

Just so ya'll know....I'm not done with that painting. I have to put her away for awhile because I've been having a hard time painting her....grrrr... : ))) I posted her to show that I have been doing something and that something is driving me crazy!!

me

I am not what I think I am, and I am not what you think I am, I am... what I think you think I am."
~Sigmund Freud

I made a brief comment on my Facebook the other day. My parents and I were out to dinner and they told me I was a different breed...lol. Apparently I am very artistic minded and have an optimistic outlook on life. Really?....lol. My dad says I seem to live one day at a time and I don't look towards the future very often. He said it drove him crazy....lol. Well.... what can I say to that? He's so right.....lol. I'm not always happy about circumstances around me but I'm a happy person. I also live today as often as I can. Sure I have dreams and try to plan some things for the future but life just comes at you sometimes so I'm easily adaptable. Am I a different breed? For sure. We are all different and that is a beautiful thing.

fill your heart with art

~manon

guide me

2011-01-10T15:08:00.002-05:00

7" x 10" mixed media journal page
©manon doyle

“Let your heart guide you. It whispers softly, so listen closely."

OMG.... I need some guidance from anyone on the current painting I'm working on.....lol. I'm not so sure what's going on but I am encountering frustration at every turn. After about an hour on her today I threw my hands in the air and decided to do a quick journal page. This is the page above. She was more than happy to pop up and show me some love today. : )

©manon doyle

I thought I'd post my favorite paper to work on. I buy Arches Bright White Watercolor Paper, 300 lb. Rough, 22" x 30". Omg....I love the weight of this stuff and the deckled edges make my eyes light up. It is not cheap though. $18 for one 22" x 30" inch sheet.....yikes!! I cut this one down to 9" x 12" sheets and was left with small 5" x 5" pieces to give as little gifts. Actually....I don't cut.....I use a ruler to make a very strong crease and then tear the paper away from itself. It leaves me with the beautiful edges. The thing I like about this paper is how strong and hearty it is. Can you tell how much I really love it? lol

fill your heart with art and awesome art supplies.....u deserve it!!

~manon

the eyes have it

2011-01-05T15:30:00.002-05:00

9" x 12" mixed media painting
©manon doyle

Love is when you look into someone's eyes and suddenly you go
all the way inside their soul and you both know it. ~ author unknown.

©manon doyle

It seems that I like to paint eyes even though they can frustrate me. I have been known to start them over countless times until I get to something I like. I have to remember....lol.... that my goal is not to get accurate looking eyes....it is to try to convey a mood or a feeling.

I do believe in the old saying that *eyes are the windows to the soul*...omg...I believe that. You can read so much in the eyes. I've seen anger, sadness, happiness, surprise, tenderness but what I love to see most is the look of love. You just can't beat that!! : )

Next post I will blog a painting that has been giving me big time fits!! Yup....it has been doing a J O B on me but I promise to show her who's boss...lol.

fill your heart with art

~manon

faith in my heart

2011-01-02T13:54:00.002-05:00

11" x 14" mixed media on watercolor paper
©manon doyle

When the road gets dark
And you can no longer see
Just let my love throw a spark
And have a little faith in me
And when the tears you cry
Are all you can believe
Just give these loving arms a try
And have a little faith in me

~have a little faith in me by John Hiatt. Check out his video.

Wow! I can't believe it's 2011. I'm ready to get it underway. I was thinking the other day that I was happy to leave 2010 behind me but then I had a change of heart. I've had many downs this past year and that was unusual for my little perky self...lol. Don't get me wrong because I also had many happy moments but 2010 was a roller coaster ride for sure. Anyway....I changed my mind about this past year when I realized that it was part of my journey.... the journey of my life. I know that I have faith in my heart, hope for my today and my future so I'm going to let it ride and try and enjoy myself.

©manon doyle

©manon doyle

I'm showing these two paintings because of the transformation. I know that a few of you have seen this on my Facebook page but I thought I'd share it again. It all started in my large watercolor sketchbook. I was fooling around and painted the above piece. Two days later I was not happy with her so I broke out the gesso and reinvented her.....lol..... she makes me happy now.

I will be posting soon about my intentions for this coming year. It's time. I have plans......lol....but I'm flexible because ya'll know about the best laid plans. : ). I am back to blogging and visiting your blogs which I have missed.

fill your heart with art

~manon

happy holidays

2010-12-19T14:29:00.001-05:00

©manon doyle

Today I will walk out, today everything evil will leave me,
I will be as I was before, I will have a cool breeze over my body.
I will have a light body, I will be happy forever,
nothing will hinder me.
I walk with beauty before me. I walk with beauty behind me.
I walk with beauty below me. I walk with beauty above me.
I walk with beauty around me. My words will be beautiful.

In beauty all day long may I walk.
Through the returning seasons, may I walk.
On the trail marked with pollen may I walk.
With dew about my feet, may I walk.

With beauty before me may I walk.
With beauty behind me may I walk.
With beauty below me may I walk.
With beauty above me may I walk.
With beauty all around me may I walk.

In old age wandering on a trail of beauty,
lively, may I walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of beauty,
living again, may I walk.
My words will be beautiful.
~navajo prayer

©manon doyle

I want to wish all of you a wonderful holiday season. Thank you for all your support this past year. I will be back to full time blogging soon. I hope that you will walk in beauty each day.

mixed media journal page
©manon doyle

These things I warmly wish for you.. Someone to love, some work to do, A bit o' sun, a bit o' cheer, And a guardian angel always near.
~irish blessing

fill your heart with art

~manon

three new paintings

2010-12-01T16:53:00.002-05:00

9" x 12" mixed media painting on watercolor paper
©manon doyle

Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy
~eskimo saying

9" x 12" mixed media painting on watercolor paper
©manon doyle

6" x 6" mixed media on Gessobord
©manon doyle

I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.
~winston churchill

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! The art challenge ended yesterday and these are my last three paintings. Yay!! I actually had fun but it was definitely challenging ....not so much the painting but keeping up with my blogging. I've decided to take a little break in December. I'll still paint but there's so much to do at this time of year that I'm going to take it easy on blogging for a while.
I will be by to visit ya'll!!

fill your heart with art and challenges

~manon

only a few days left

2010-11-28T17:21:00.001-05:00

7" x 10" mixed media painting
©manon doyle

You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.
~george bernard shaw

6" x 6" mixed media on Gessobord
©manon doyle

This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.
~author unknown

9" x 12" mixed media painting still in progress
©manon doyle

Hey!! I've been working on many pieces at one time. This art challenge has forced me to pick up the pace a little and to be honest....I'm enjoying it. The girl above is still unfinished. I need to get the proper shadows in the face and fix the hair a little. The hand painting could also use more work ....lol. This is the second of the same hands I've done and I keep making the fingers look like big sausages but I kind of dig them....lol. Anyway.....3 days to go and I think I'm going to make it....lol.

fill your heart and soul with art

-manon

passion

2010-11-23T14:03:00.001-05:00

9" x 12" mixed media painting
©manon doyle

“If there is no passion in your life, then have you really lived? Find your passion, whatever it may be. Become it, and let it become you and you will find great things happen FOR you, TO you and BECAUSE of you.”
~ t. alan armstrong

That's a great quote. I think we should all live our lives with passion and try to be happy as much as we can. I know my clock is ticking and what I want to do with those remaining ticks is live my life to the fullest, laugh, be happy and throw lots of passion in there. It's a recipe for a successful life.

6" x 6" mixed media painting
©manon doyle

I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes, I had one thousand and sixty. : ))
~imelda marcos

Ok....shoes are not my passion but I sure do appreciate a cute pair... a few cute pairs. : ))

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! I will make sure to keep being creative until the last day of this challenge and everyday after that!!

fill your heart with art and lots of passion

-manon

what's up with this?

2010-11-21T15:32:00.001-05:00

7" x 10" mixed media journal page
©manon doyle

I am on day 21 of the art challenge. All of a sudden I'm painting random things and have ventured back into my journals. My bigger pieces need my time and thought and these....not so much....lol. These three pages you are looking at look so elementary but ...hey....i'm being creative....right? lol

7" x 10" mixed media journal page
©manon doyle

I hope my artist friends who paint beautiful flowers aren't checking in on my blog today....yikes. These almost look like frisbees!!

7" x 10" mixed media journal page
©manon doyle

Please don't ask about this one....lol. I don't know what it is and I don't exactly know what I was thinking....lol. What the heck is going on?

journals
©manon doyle

I'm all over the place in these journals. When I'm working in them it's usually three at a time and I just open the book and land where I land. There is no rhyme or reason to my madness. It's whatever works for me that day. My mom says, *Manon....you march to the beat of your own drummer*!! Ain't that the truth...: )))

my pitiful brushes
©manon doyle

WARNING!! Do not let me near your brushes. Omg.....i buy these tiny brushes for details and I ruin them in a matter of days. Same with my other brushes...lol. I am a scrubber of paint. Not really a good thing. I don't buy expensive brushes because I would do them harm.

fill your heart with art

-manon

i am still on the art challenge!!!

2010-11-18T14:57:00.003-05:00

7" x 10" mixed media painting
©manon doyle

For those of you that think I may have dropped out of the Art Every Day Month challenge........ you're sadly mistaken....lol. I am still doing something every single day. I must admit that some days have been a little tough but all in all it's pretty much what I do each day.

I sketched yesterday and I was thinking that I'm done with sketching.....yup.... all that work and then covering it up is not for me. I actually quite like having paintings that don't resemble an actual human being......lol. These sketches are making my art head in the wrong direction so I'm saying *goodbye* to them.

9" x 10" sketch on watercolor paper
©manon doyle

So.... today I made cognac soaked chocolate cranberries......OMG!!! I'm not much of a dessert girl but these things are perfect. They are a little tart and sweet and then you throw cognac into the mix and ....mmmmmm.....heaven. This pic shows the cranberries soaking. They were in there for 3 weeks ...btw!!

Some good semi sweet chocolate in a double boiler and once it's melted it's time to dip the cranberries.

Yummy!!

fill your heart with art

-manon

if all else fails....paint hearts

2010-11-15T17:25:00.008-05:00

mixed media painting
©manon doyle

The heart has reasons that reason does not understand
~ jacques benigne bossuel

mixed media painting
©manon doyle

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart
~kahlil gibran.

mixed media painting
©manon doyle

Love is the enchanted dawn of every heart
~alphonse de lamartine.

mixed media painting
©manon doyle

I think I would rather possess eyes that know no sight, ears that know no sound, hands that know no touch than a heart that knows no love.
~unknown

mixed media painting
©manon doyle

Follow your mind and be smart, follow your heart and be happy
~unknown.

unfinished 9" x 12" mixed media painting
©manon doyle

You would think it was Valentine's day around here...lol. If all else fails....yup...that's right. I'm in the heart painting kind of mood and since I'm still on this art challenge I've been painting a lot of them...lol. When I'm feeling down they perk me up for some reason. Hearts = happiness in my little world.

The last painting is obviously in progress but she's got a heart so I thought I'd post her. I will work on all my paintings that are in progress in the next few days. Check back to see how I'm doing.

fill your heart with art and fill your art with hearts!!

~manon

art every day month challenge......what day am i on?

2010-11-10T19:45:00.004-05:00

mixed media journal page
©manon doyle

A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.
~john lennon

I worked in my small journal yesterday. I didn't want to do anything that required too much detail ...just fast and fun.

mixed media journal page in progress
©manon doyle

I started this piece in another journal. I haven't been in my journals for a bit and I miss them when I'm away for too long. They're always quick little paintings but I really enjoy doing them.

mixed media 9" x 12" on watercolor paper in progress
©manon doyle

This is the initial background color for this painting. I'm really drawn to this color combo and seem to be using it often.

I've been creative every day on this art challenge....omg!! I don't even know what day I'm at....lol. I do know that I haven't taken a day off yet....lol. The hardest part is all this blogging...lol.

fill your heart with art

-manon

Day 8

2010-11-08T15:27:00.002-05:00

9" x 12" mixed media painting on watercolor paper
©manon doyle

©manon doyle

Day 8 of the Art Every Day Month Challenge

How do you know if your art is heading in the right direction? My answer is to ask your mother...lol. Mine has been telling me lately how *da gurls are sooo beautiful*....yup.....I'm definitely heading in the wrong direction...lol. I used to like it when she saw them, called me and said in her French accent...*I don't know, Manon. Dey worry me. Are you sure you're ok?*. Ya.... I feel better when they don't look like prom queens and my mom really doesn't like them. Don't get me wrong because I love my mom with all my heart but I also know the kind of music she likes and the kind of art she likes and OMG......I better change this up pretty darn soon!!!

fill your heart with art

-manon

life has unforgettable moments

2010-11-07T18:45:00.003-05:00

©manon doyle

©manon doyle

“Dance as if no one were watching, Sing as if no one were listening, And live every day as if it were your last”

part of a 9" x 12" sketch
©manon doyle

journal page
©manon doyle

The last few days of this challenge has been filled with a little of this and that. Worked on a sketch for a few days and I'm only showing a portion of it. Thought I'd change things up a bit and show the rest when she's painted. I also played around in my journal and I haven't done that in a while so it was fun to get back into it.

Last night I spent the evening with some girlfriends and we had a great night having dinner, wine, chatting and dancing. It was nice to catch up and reconnect. I took some pictures to remember our time.

I will be painting again tomorrow because I'm over sketching for now. I need to get some color back in my life....lol.

fill your heart with art

manon

day 4 of the art challenge

2010-11-04T16:32:00.003-04:00

9" x 12" unfinished sketch
© manon doyle

day 4 of the Art Every Day Month challenge

I have worked on this sketch for a good part of my day. She's unfinished and I'm choosing to leave her as is because I've decided to put it right on top of the *to be painted for sure* pile...lol. I didn't put enough gesso on the watercolor paper and the paper is showing right through....ahhhhhhh! I've decided to not post until Sunday or Monday again but I will show you what I did each day..... no cheatin'!!!!

fill your heart with art
-manon

day 3

2010-11-03T16:24:00.002-04:00

9" x 12" sketch
© manon doyle

“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” ~audrey hepburn

It's Day 3 in the Art Every Day Month challenge. I spent a ton of time on this one..... I think I may need to go back to the little ones....lol. I have also been gessoing canvases today but unfortunately I don't think that counts for anything. I should of taken a picture anyway. : ) So... I'm still in good shape....for now....LOL. My guess is that the real challenge will start next week.

fill your heart with art

manon

is it only day 2?

2010-11-02T14:38:00.003-04:00

6" x 6" mixed media on Gessobord
© manon doyle

Day 2
OMG!!! It's only day two of the Art Every Day Month challenge.....yikes!! I do happen to paint most days of the week but now I'm forced to show something for myself. I often spend lots of time on my bigger paintings so I've decided that I'm going to need to do some other things to make my quota....lol. Today I've been working on a larger piece so I thought I'd take a break and whip this little one up. Nothing fancy and I noticed that she has so much molding paste under the paint that it's creating interesting textures on her face. At this point I'm going to pretend I don't see it....lol. This is my piece for Day #2....yay!!

fill you heart with art and lots of creativity!!

manon

Art Every Day Month

2010-11-01T16:17:00.005-04:00

© manon doyle

© manon doyle

© manon doyle

Native American Prayer

I give you this one thought to keep -
I am with you still - I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning's hush
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone -
I am with you still - in each new dawn.

© manon doyle

© manon doyle

© manon doyle

I've never done an art challenge so with the encouragement of my friend and fellow artist Miz Katie, I signed up for Leah Piken Kolidas's Art Every Day Month Challenge which Leah hosts every November! Omg.... what the heck was I thinking...lol. I'm going to attempt this. I usually do something creative most days but there are days that I may take it a little easy...lol. I probably won't post everyday but I will try my best to do something each day and post a few times a week letting you know where I'm at.

This is my kickoff. A friend of mine gave me a ride the other day and we drove through Beechwood Cemetery which is the National Cemetery of Canada. I have to say that it is breathtakingly beautiful and so peaceful. It is the site for those who served in the Canadian Forces. There was a certain feeling of calm that washed over me as we drove through. Tomorrow is All Souls' Day and Day of the Dead so please take a moment and remember friends and family that have passed before us.

fill your heart with art and creativity

-manon

shine on

2010-10-24T13:30:00.006-04:00

9" x 12" mixed media painting on watercolor paper
© manon doyle

this thing they call our time
heard a brilliant woman say
she said you know it´s crazy
how I want to try to capture mine
I think I love this woman´s way
I think I love this woman

the way she shimmers
the way she shines
the way she radiates
the way she lives
the way she loves
the way she never hates
~excerpt from Shimmer by Shawn Mullins

© manon doyle

This month has been Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I'm a little late in the month but I wanted to make sure and post a little something for those who have have been touched by this disease. I want to honor those who show courage through pain and adversity and let their spirits shine through. I am continually inspired by those who I have lost to cancer, those who have battled and survived and those who continue to fight.

To all my sisterfriends.... don't forget to check your girls each month. We have all heard it before but early detection is so important!!

fill your heart with art

-manon

renewed passion

2010-10-20T17:28:00.002-04:00

12" x 16" sketch on cradled Gessobord
© manon doyle

9" x 12" sketch on watercolor paper
© manon doyle

Lately I have a renewed passion for sketching. I used to love to draw in high school but over the years I ended up doing basic sketches and focused on painting instead. There's a beautiful voice inside my head that has awakened my desire to sketch again. I am so very grateful. My problem now is that as soon as they're complete I want to throw paint all over them and that means losing a lot of the work I've done. I'm looking for a happy medium....lol. Light layers of paint might be the answer....omg....not sure if I'm capable of that....lol. I will try and figure it out. : )

fill your heart with art

-manon

i believe in my destiny

2010-10-17T15:29:00.003-04:00

9" x 12" mixed media on watercolor paper
© manon doyle

"There are winds of destiny that blow when we least expect them. Sometimes they gust with the fury of a hurricane, sometimes they barely fan one’s cheek. But the winds cannot be denied, bringing as they often do a future that is impossible to ignore."
~ nicholas sparks

fill your heart with art

-manon

you move me

2010-10-13T14:48:00.002-04:00

9" x 12" mixed media on watercolor paper
© manon doyle

As I stand here searching for the right words
I know that wisdom comes from despair
And I realize it's harder to find your own voice
Than to follow one already in the air

And as our time draws nearer
I wonder just when we stopped being young
And I know my greatest deeds will go unnoticed
And our treasures were here all along

Child of the earth hear my confession
Please don't tell me that it's overdue
And from the four corners of the universe
I will make my way to you
~excerpt from *Child of the Earth* by Gov't Mule

One thing I love about art and music is that all of it can be left to the viewer or listener to interpret. You bring your own life experience to each piece. When someone sees my paintings they might think I cry a lot....lol.....that may or may not be true but what should be important to the viewer is how it makes them feel.

The lyrics in this song speak to me. When I hear them I feel a little sadness but mostly I feel hope. I feel hope for today and the future. I love it when a song moves me and fills me with emotion like this.

fill your heart with art

-manon

earth teach me

2010-10-10T19:34:00.002-04:00

I felt somewhat out of sorts today. To be honest, I've felt this way for a bit. I decided to get in my car and drive with no real destination in mind. I ended up on this parkway and turned into one of the lookouts. I found this. Somehow just the site of these rocks gave me peace. I sat and lingered for awhile and watched as many people came and took pictures. Maybe they were looking for their own answers.

I read recently that getting grounded with the earth means to allow our spirit to connect and be nurtured by Mother Earth.

Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with new light.
Earth teach me suffering ~ as old stones suffer with memory.
Earth teach me humility ~ as blossoms are humble with beginning.
Earth teach me caring ~ as mothers nurture their young.
Earth teach me courage ~ as the tree that stands alone.
Earth teach me limitation ~ as the ant that crawls on the ground.
Earth teach me freedom ~ as the eagle that soars in the sky.
Earth teach me acceptance ~ as the leaves that die each fall.
Earth teach me renewal ~ as the seed that rises in the spring.
Earth teach me to forget myself ~ as melted snow forgets its life.
Earth teach me to remember kindness ~ as dry fields weep with rain.

~An Ute Prayer

fill your heart with art

-manon

sorry.... I forgot

2010-10-06T18:47:00.003-04:00

9" x 12" mixed media painting on watercolor paper
© manon doyle

A bend in the road is not the end of the road… unless you fail to make the turn. ~ author unknown

My girl is surprised but what I think she is really saying is....*sorry..I forgot*! Could be *sorry I forgot...your birthday, our dinner date, to call you, your sweater, to kiss you goodbye, to bring the wine*....lol.... you get the picture. Fill in your own blank!! : ))

9" x 12' sketch
© manon doyle

Still sketching for future paintings.

fill your heart with art

-manon

merrily I roll along

2010-10-03T15:35:00.003-04:00

9" x 12" sketch that will soon be painted : )
© manon doyle

There hasn't been much painting since my last blog.....but my paints are staring at me today and the seem to be saying...*open us up, Manon...... come on girl*! LOL Ok.... probably wasn't that funny but I am rolling on with these sketches and now I've got three ready to go.
I'm pretty messy at this sketching stuff. I've got graphite all over me and I keep smudging everything in site. I have my workable fixative but I only use it at the end before I paint. I'm thinking that I should spray my arms and hands with the stuff...lol.

K.... so last year Blick's was giving these little Golden paints out to try. I haven't given them a whirl yet but I'm going to. The Golden Open Acrylics apparently act like oil paints and stay wet for quite a bit of time. You can blend them with regular acrylics and when the paint is still tacky they say you can add a little water or medium to make them workable again. Gonna try them out!!

fill your heart with art

-manon

sketches for new paintings

2010-09-30T13:48:00.003-04:00

9" x 12" sketch
© manon doyle

9" x 12" sketch
© manon doyle

I did accomplish sketching these two new girls this week. : ) They are both going to be my next paintings. I didn't get involved with too much detail because they'll both be covered up with paint..... lots of it!!

The winner of my giveaway was.....Tweedles. Tweedles is the sweetest pug who has a fun blog about her travels through life. Please check her out if you have a minute!!

fill your heart with art

-manon

no painting zone and a giveaway

2010-09-25T14:27:00.001-04:00

6" x 6" mixed media heart
© manon doyle

I think this post is pretty self explanatory.....lol. I haven't done anything creative for the past week....grrr!! So.... to make myself feel better I'm giving away *my heart*!! Leave me a comment on this post, Twitter or Facebook and you'll be in the drawing. Hopefully....I'll be happily painting by tomorrow!! : )

fill your heart with art

-manon

be still

2010-09-16T14:54:00.002-04:00

9" x 12" mixed media on watercolor paper
© manon doyle

When you are in doubt, be still, and wait;
when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage.
So long as mists envelop you, be still;
be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists
-- as it surely will.
Then act with courage.

~Ponca Chief White Eagle (1800's to 1914)

I love the above quote. It reminds me of the quote I used on my Facebook page the other day, *do nothing when nothing works*. We are all rushed for answers. I believe that many of those answers come when we calm our minds, our bodies and just breathe.

As it gets dark earlier I light my candles. There's something about the soft glow of candlelight that makes me feel so warm and cozy.

fill your heart with art

-manon

new painting

2010-09-12T14:00:00.005-04:00

9" x 12" mixed media painting
© manon doyle

I've been posting the progress of this painting on my art page. Kimberly Wlassak of Gerushia's New World and I have been having a blast commenting on her. Yup.... we decided there were no words needed for this painting. Her look says it all....lol!!

Please check out Kim's amazing work on her blog. She just got her Dancing Fiona piece tattooed on her arm. It's incredible!!

I have so many products and I admit that there are a few sitting on my shelf waiting for me to use them. Golden's Retarder happened to be one of these products so I busted it out this for this painting and I really liked it. When added to acrylic paint the Retarder extended the drying time. I was able to put the paint down and play it with and even rub out areas I didn't want while it was still moist. I just added a bit at a time to my paint. Try it out if you get a chance. It's sold in different sizes and a tiny size so you can test drive it. Gotta love that!!

fill your heart with art

-manon

you deserve beautiful

2010-09-07T10:37:00.001-04:00

9" x 12" mixed media painting on watercolor paper
©manon doyle

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.
~helen keller

I woke up yesterday thinking that we all deserve beautiful. I don't mean in a materialistic way even though that's nice sometimes....lol. I meant it in a way that we all have the right to never settle for less than we deserve in our lives. Most of us want beautiful relationships, positive attitudes, warm experiences and the list goes on. We need to honor ourselves each and everyday so we can be strong, live happy loving lives and accept all the beautiful that we deserve.

fill your heart with love and beautiful

-manon

searching for answers

2010-09-02T15:50:00.005-04:00

9" x 12" mixed media painting on watercolor paper
© manon doyle

im looking for a place
searching for a face
is anybody here i know
cause nothing's going right
and everything's a mess
and no one likes to be alone

Isn't anyone trying to find me?
Won't somebody come take me home
It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you take me by the hand
take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are
but I... I'm with you
~Avril Lavigne and The Matrix. Here is the song.

fill your heart with art

-manon

be you

2010-08-29T15:46:00.003-04:00

7" x 10" mixed media painting
© manon doyle

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”
-Dr. Seuss

mixed media journal page
© manon doyle

Today I broke out my Caran D'ache Neocolor ll Watersoluble Crayons. I've used them many times in the past but I've never really mixed them with acrylics. They work beautifully together. I took this old journal page above and reworked her using the crayons combined with acrylic paint. They've been on my long list of favorites but I may now put them in the top five. : )

Have a great upcoming week!!

fill your heart with art

-manon

follow my paintings in progress on my art page

be brave

2010-08-25T09:11:00.003-04:00

7" x 10" mixed media painting
© manon doyle

"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it." ~ maya angelou

fill your heart with art

-manon

follow my paintings in progress and other stuff on my art page

painting everything in sight

2010-08-22T09:50:00.005-04:00

11" x 14" mixed media on art board
© manon doyle

If I had wings, I'd fly up to heaven. I'd look down from the clouds, on every thing....
then I could find all the things we've been missin'. I would have all the answers...if I had wings.
-if I had wings by Darius Rucker

© hands by manon

This may be one of my longest posts.....lol. I have been painting everything in sight this week including my hands and feet. It feels good to be painting again after some time off. Please do not invite me over because I will end up painting something of yours...lol!!

7" x 10" mixed media journal page
© manon doyle

This was a quick journal page.

© feet by manon

I was a little bored the other day and took a Sharpie marker to my foot. The pen didn't like my moisturized foot too well... lol. I started thinking that I should try my hand at using henna....omg.... lol.

mixed media journal page
© manon doyle

I was also fooling around in old journal pages and reworked some of them. That is soooo much fun!! : )

I hope ya'll have a great week!!

fill your heart with art

-manon

You can follow some of my paintings in progress if you'd like on my art page

back from blogger break

2010-08-15T14:10:00.001-04:00

© feet owned by manon doyle

Yikes....I haven't painted in 9 or 10 days but I'm not counting....lol. This is what I've been doing...lol. Actually, I've been busy with a ton of life stuff. I'm anxious to finally get back to my daily artwork.

mixed media paintings
© manon doyle

I had all three of these down on the floor today and thought that they looked awesome together. A series has been born...lol. I love it when that happens and I don't even have to think about it. Sorry if they look a little crooked. I should of really taken my ladder out for the pic.

sweetheart
6" x 6" mixed media on Gessobord
© manon doyle

fill your heart with art

-manon

follow my painting progress on my art page.

path of the heart

2010-08-05T16:57:00.002-04:00

path of the heart
16" x 20" mixed media on art board
© manon doyle

Let your mind start a journey thru a strange new world. Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before. Let your soul take you where you long to be...Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar, and you'll live as you've never lived before.
- erich fromm

Done.

fill your heart with art

-manon

follow my paintings in progress on my art page.

a little progress

2010-08-01T15:44:00.004-04:00

16" x 20" mixed media painting on art board
© manon doyle

Just a little progress to show for myself...lol. I've left her alone for a couple of days to think about my next move. I do, however, have a title....which is odd for me!! Today I've been working on the hands and face and this is where I'm at. I want to thank all the comments and suggestions from the last post. I actually think that leaving some lines in is a good idea but I'll probably have to do them again because I've covered them up with a ton of paint...lol. I hope that she's done later this week!!

I want to apologize to ya'll for my lack of commenting lately. I've had a lot on my plate but I promise to get back at it!! Promise!!

fill your heart with art

-manon

follow my paintings on my art page

painting in progress

2010-07-29T07:08:00.002-04:00

painting in progress
16" x 20"
© manon doyle

I have nothing but a painting in progress to show you today. The little ones are much faster for me to paint. I obviously spend more time on the bigger pieces and sometimes have to leave them for a day or two if I get stuck and I get stuck often....lol. I post many paintings from start to finish on my Facebook art page if you want to follow them.

She's got a very interesting hairdo going on right now....lol. Almost reminds me of the beehive my mom used to wear in the sixties...lol. Well..... maybe hers isn't as big. : )

I hope that everyone has a great day!!

fill your heart with art

-manon

i hope i can write another post

2010-07-25T08:51:00.002-04:00

7" x 10" mixed media on watercolor paper
© manon doyle

Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark. ~George Iles

I was going to write about hope today. I actually had a whole paragraph written and then realized I didn't really know what the heck I was talking about....lol. I find that I have all these strong feelings about different subjects and can't seem to express them in writing the way I'd like to. I see so much of what I feel in each one of my paintings and I hope that I can convey my emotions to the viewer through them because words aren't working that well for me....lol. I may have to start just posting my paintings and not saying anything. Every post will be wordless.....yay!! : )

fill your heart with art

-manon

Follow these paintings in progress on my art page.

watch over me

2010-07-22T10:18:00.006-04:00

watch over me
16" x 16" mixed media on canvas
@ manon doyle

I was going to talk about how many times I've changed things in this painting but I'm not....lol. I'm going to quickly say that I believe in angels. I spoke about this many posts ago and I still stand firm.....lol. I know I'm being guided, watched over and being kept safe. In my moments of self-doubt I know I can call on her. It sounds so crazy....lol.... but it's the way I feel!!

On my last post my pal, Steve, commented that if I let him name my painting he would write a song. I don't think he thought I would agree to that but I can never figure out any names out for paintings so I said *yes*!! I got my painting named and Steve had to write a song....lol....perfect!! He is still working on the music but here are the lyrics!! They are wonderful!! Way to go, Steveroni!!

Check out his blog if you have a minute!!

SONG LYRICS
Where goes my heart go I
There goes my heart, so why
Do I not follow close
Even though most
Of me--body, soul--yearns to fly

To meet my beloved
To see him, kiss him
Yes, I wish to touch
Him. I miss, I need him
Way way too much

Fly me away to Asia
Europe or Malaysia
Afrika, Amerika
Wrap me in a package
Marked "Sent to the Orient"

To meet my beloved
To see him, kiss him
Yes, I wish to touch
Him. I miss, I need him
Way way too much

Each time we've met, I cry
Where goes my heart go I
My heart is already there
No! Here I will not stay
For I'm ON MY WAY

To meet my beloved
To see him, kiss him
Yes, I wish to touch
Him. I miss, I need him
Way way too much
--steveroni

fill your heart with art and angels

-manon

follow my painting progress or lack of it on my art page!

music inspires me

2010-07-18T17:10:00.001-04:00

7" x 10" mixed media journal page
© manon doyle

Have you ever fed a lover with just your hands?
Closed your eyes and trusted, just trusted?
Have you ever thrown a fist full of glitter in the air?
Have you ever looked fear in the face and said, "I just don't care"?

Have you ever wished for an endless night?
Lassoed the moon and the stars and pulled that rope tight?
Have you ever held your breath and asked yourself will it ever get better than tonight?
Tonight

-excerpt from Glitter in the Air
songwriters: billy mann and alecia moore
sung by Pink

One of my greatest inspirations for my paintings is music. I'm a huge fan of all kinds of music and I love to pay close attention to the lyrics. I can listen to a song over and over again listening to what the artist has to say and what those words mean to me. I'm not going to lie when I tell you that I often cry over a song. I've done it a the gym so many times that I'm sure people think I'm a total nutjob. It's so awesome when you can relate to a song and it can move you to tears. It's also a ton a fun to crank up the tunes, dance and paint. Gotta love that.

fill your heart with art and music

-manon

follow the progress of my paintings on my art page

surrounded by love

2010-07-13T15:47:00.004-04:00

11" x 16" mixed media on watercolor paper
© manon doyle

I hear you breathing in
Another day begins
The stars are falling out
My dreams are fading now, fading out

I've been keeping my eyes wide open
I've been keeping my eyes wide open

Ooh, your love is a symphony
All around me, running through me
Ooh, your love is a melody
Underneath me, running to me

Oh, your love is a song
Your love is strong
-Your Love is a Song by Switchfoot

I think I may have gone a little nutso on the stars but I like em...LOL! I had a lot of fun making a mess. That's what it's all about right? She started out in a different direction but as always... I ended up with something else.

I love the song above. I couldn't find it on Grooveshark so I posted a YouTube thing. Listen to it if you have a minute.

fill your heart with art and surround yourself with love

-manon

Follow my works in progress on my fb art page

Inktense makes me happy

2010-07-11T08:46:00.007-04:00

7" x 10" Inktense on watercolor paper
© manon doyle

7" x 10" Inktense on watercolor paper
© manon doyle

7" x 10" Inktense on watercolor paper
© manon doyle

A couple of months ago I talked about using Inktense pencils. I wish I were an athlete and could get an endorsement deal for this but...lol..... I can't. I will just talk a little about them. They are like a watercolor pencil but after you wet them they dry and become permanent.....yay! No lifting other layers and the colors are really intense.....yay! They are ink in a pencil and if you shave off pieces and put it in water....voila....ink! Smart people at Derwent for calling them Inktense....... lol. I use them on watercolor paper. I wasn't happy with the girl's hair flower so I gessoed and used the pencils on top of it once it dried. It didn't work as well as the paper but did the job for me.

I've been obsessed for a few days now. I'm certainly not even close to understanding these but I'm having fun. All that is required are the pencils, water and some brushes. I promise this is my last post on this subject....lol..... ya....right!!

have a great Sunday

fill your heart with art

-manon

blue

2010-07-07T13:00:00.002-04:00

blue
8" x 12" mixed media on Gessobord
© manon doyle

I wasn't naked, I was completely covered by a blue spotlight.
~Gypsy Rose Lee

I've talked many times of my love for Golden products. I use a huge amount of them. Gesso and molding paste are two of my favorite things. Lately, I've been using Blick's molding paste also. It dries to a much different texture than Golden and I really like it. I kind of reminds me of the spackle that I use. Let me know if you have a favorite that I can test out.

The above painting was covered with molding paste before I started working on it. I'm not sure if I'm finished with her so she'll stay as she is for a while.

I hope ya'll are enjoying the heat wave!! : )

fill your heart with art

-manon

Join my art page on facebook.

the not so good

2010-07-05T08:10:00.001-04:00

11" x 16" mixed media on watercolor paper
© manon doyle

Time has been transformed, and we have changed; it has advanced and set us in motion; it has unveiled its face, inspiring us with bewilderment and exhilaration.
-K. Gibran

Well..... I wasn't going to post this. I spent way too much time on her and just wasn't happy. The trash can was an option but I decided to be true to my promise and post the not so good pieces. The colors were much deeper and I didn't like it so I gessoed most of her and then took out my Inktense pencils and played around. She's meant to be much taller but I ran out of room so she looks a little weird...lol! Omg.... I see so many problems....LOL! I can't believe I'm even sharing her....lol. Guess it's all part of the journey. : )

fill your heart with art

-manon

new paintings

2010-06-27T13:20:00.002-04:00

6"x 6" mixed media on Gessobord
© manon doyle

And while I stood there
I saw more than I can tell,
and I understood more than I saw;
for I was seeing in a sacred manner
the shapes of things in the spirit,
and the shape of all shapes as they must
live together like one being.
-Black Elk

it's 5 o'clock
6"x 6" mixed media on Gessobord
© manon doyle

Two more little quirky paintings. The wine glass is leaning a bit but I figured that after you have two of those glasses it won't really matter...lol.

I've come to the realization of what matters to me in a painting. I'm never going to be an artist that strives for accuracy because that is an idea that I threw out a long time ago. I am not a realistic painter. I'm aiming to get some kind of feeling across and I'm also very interested in color. Even when I look at my mosaics I realize that I've always been attracted to color combinations. Big, bright and bold. I like that.... a lot!! I can't even find a label for my art nor do I really want to. I guess I'd like to be known as the girl that likes color...lol.

fill your heart with art and your world with color

-manon

awakening has a new home

2010-06-21T17:17:00.006-04:00

awakening
12" x 16" mixed media with glass mosaic heart on birch
© manon doyle

I wasn't really sure if I was going to talk about this but I happen to be really excited so I've decided to share. A couple of months ago I was asked to put a piece in the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Yay!!! I chose this one because she's my favorite and I thought that she would find a lovely home in this Museum. I dropped her off today and she will spend 6 months in Corporate Office being catalogued and what not and then she'll make her way into one of the hallways of the Museum.

This is the Grand Salon that is filled with the most beautiful totem poles. I have a huge affinity for totem poles dating back to when I lived in B.C. My pic doesn't do this room justice...btw!!

The Canadian Museum of Civilization is the largest museum in Canada and it is a stunning building. It overlooks the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. It is pretty impressive. I feel so honored to have a small piece in this Museum. I am very grateful.

fill your heart with art

-manon

a day to celebrate

2010-06-20T11:22:00.001-04:00

Today I am sharing my birthday with all the fathers of the world and my dad, Fred. Happy Father's day dad. We've decided that my mom should wait on us hand and foot.....lol.... it's only right after all!! I hope your day is awesome Freddy!! Let's celebrate!!

fill your heart with art

-manon

a little of this and that

2010-06-16T15:41:00.005-04:00

bing
6" x 6" mixed media on Gessobord
© manon doyle

I had to redeem myself from the fish painting where everyone thought I was painting a heart so here's another go at cherries. Just a quick little thing. I've almost come to the end of the line with little canvases. I'm itching to do a big canvas again.

part of a journal page
© manon doyle

This is part of an old journal page of mine. I saw it today in my photo gallery and it popped out at me. I can't explain intuition nor will I attempt to. When I don't follow it I'm screwed...lol! All I know is that it usually points the way.

I'm enjoying my time in Canada. I am living a retirement lifestyle with my parents...lol! I am definitely ready to deep six the elevator music....lol!

fill your heart with art

-manon

painting classes in Canada

2010-06-13T12:53:00.002-04:00

6" x 6" mixed media painting on Gessobord
© manon doyle

I arrived in Canada on Wednesday. It's day four and my parents are still glad I'm here...lol! The last two days I've been transforming my mom's dining area into art central. Her sister, Louise, came over yesterday and I decided to hold a heart painting workshop for both of them. My dad wasn't very interested...lol! With my fine tutoring...lol... they created the masterpieces below. : )

heart painted by my aunt Louise

heart painted by my mom

Sorry I've been out of the blogging/commenting loop. I will try and get caught up this week.

Btw..... Ya'll thought that my fish was catching a heart but I meant it to be a cherry. Back to the drawing board...lol!

fill your heart with art

-manon

a fish and a trip

2010-06-08T07:26:00.015-04:00

mr. carpaccio
6" x 12" mixed media on cradled Gessobord
© manon doyle

Can you believe I painted a fish? Not sure what came over me...lol! I think he still needs a little work but I'm almost done. I hope I don't offend anyone with his name. Just trying to have fun!!!

6' x 6' mixed media painting
© manon doyle

This is another version of last week's painting. She was actually a commission. The new owner seems very pleased with her and that makes me extremely happy.

Tomorrow I'm taking a little road trip to visit my mom and dad in Canada!! It's a long trip so I plan on taking it easy and not stressing myself out by trying to make it in a day. I've got my paints and computer packed so I'll keep on blogging. See ya'll in Canada!!

fill your heart with art

-manon

something different

2010-06-01T16:27:00.004-04:00

6" x 6" mixed media painting of Gessobord
© manon doyle

I close my eyes, then I drift away, into the magic night I softly say. A silent prayer, like dreamers do, then I fall asleep to dream my dreams of you.
~roy orbison

I've come to realize that the more I paint the less I know what I'm doing...lol! I never have a plan, direction or even a destination. I feel like I throw paint around most of the time. I'm cracking up over this piece because some of you that saw it in progress over on my FB page told me to leave it alone. Well... you probably knew that wasn't going to happen but I did do something different this time. Yay for me....lol!! The thing is though..... I'm not sure what to think of it yet. I've decided to leave it for now and start something else.... whatever that may be.... your guess is a good as mine!! : )

fill your heart with art

-manon

did someone say shoes?

2010-05-30T13:30:00.008-04:00

try walking in my shoes
6" x 6" mixed media painting
© manon doyle

lovin' my heels
6" x 6" mixed media painting
@ manon doyle

All I want are high heels, high heels. If I was a girl, I'd wear a lot of high heels. High, stiletto heels.
-isaac mizrahi

I've been fooling around with color combos this week and I wasn't sure what to paint on these little canvases. I've done lots of hearts and girls with them so I asked myself what are the other things that I like. Yup.... I am a shoe lover. Most of you know this from my comments on my Facebook page. I don't own a ton of them but I have a huge affection for high heels....lol! I think they make any girl's legs look great except for the ones I painted above.... omg..... they are such skinny looking things.
Anyway.... it's really not about functionality it's about getting in touch with your inner goddess....lol!!! Every once in a while it's good to put a pair on and feel like your six inches taller than you really are!!

Btw.... I can't really believe that I'm posting this!! I'm laughing at myself today...lol!

Oh.... and please check out Ces's series on tears! She has done an incredible job with these posts and illustrations!! I could use some advice from her on subject matter!! : )

fill your heart with art and a pair of red strappy stiletto heels!!

-manon

Follow my paintings in progress on my Facebook page!

giving to you

2010-05-26T13:44:00.001-04:00

6" x 6" mixed media on Gessobord
© manon doyle

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
~Lao Tzu

Giving means can mean so many different things. It can be giving money to charity, helping someone move, donating time to a good cause or even listening to a friend. My mom has always told me that the more you give the more you get back in return. She's absolutely right. I know it's been said millions of times but I would much rather give than receive. The simple acts of smiling, lending a helping hand and making people laugh fill my heart with more love than anything else in my life. Just a little act of kindness can bring happiness each day!

I'm sending smiles to all of you!! : ))))))

fill your heart with art and kindness

-manon

happy sunday

2010-05-23T10:52:00.005-04:00

6"x6" mixed media on Claybord
© manon doyle

I think that many of my women look doe eyed but this one especially..... lol! I will say that she has *bedroom eyes* because it sounds a little better. This is another quick little painting. It's hard to get too much detail in the face but I still like working on them.

The rain has finally cleared and the sun is back!! Early morning walks are so peaceful. I love the light at this time and in the early evening.

Those of you who read my blog last Spring know I'm obsessed with cherries. The first ones of the season came in last week and I'm officially in hog heaven.I can't get enough!! My daughter, Alex, doesn't seem to like them as well as I do. I asked her last week if she liked them and her question to me was..... "do you mean maraschino cherries, Mom?" Omg!! LOL

Have a great Sunday everyone!!

fill your heart with art and cherries!! Lots of them!

-manon

small paintings

2010-05-18T14:36:00.008-04:00

6" x 6' on board
© manon doyle

Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.
-Saint Augustine

I'm back to the small paintings for a few days. I'm finding that I can never stick to one size. I seem to be all over the place. Must be the Gemini in me coming out!! LOL. So.... these are really fun and quick to do. I usually start by getting these little 6" x 6" Gessobords. I buy them at Dick's and they come in a 4 pack for about six dollars. I then cover them all with molding paste and let it dry. When it's nice and dry I put a coat of gesso over it before I paint. You really don't have to do it but I love gesso so I gesso everything including myself.... lol! Your good to go after that. The picture below is my sketch on the painted surface. Before I painted her face, I gave her a quick coat of gesso letting some of the blue show through and then finished her off with acrylics. Fun, fun!!

@ manon doyle

fill your heart with art and gesso

-manon

smelling the roses

2010-05-16T15:47:00.003-04:00

7" x 10" on watercolor paper
© manon doyle

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.
-Helen Keller

I would say that 90 percent of the time I have no idea what I'm going to paint. Today was no different. I sat down in my studio at 12:30 and this is what came to me. I think the rest of the world is outside in their gardens and I'm still in my sweats covered in paint...... LOL!! I need to get outside and smell the fresh air and at least see what the temperature is like...lol! OMG... I need a life!

Update.... I just went outside to smell the roses. There's nothing like the colors in nature for inspiration. I think I'll change and get out there!! : )

fill your heart with art

-manon

breathing you in

2010-05-12T17:49:00.002-04:00

7" x 10" mixed media journal page
@manon doyle

Learning to breathe
I'm learning to crawl
I'm finding that You and You alone can break my fall
I'm living again, awake and alive
I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies
-Learning to Breathe by Switchfoot

Milo has come to the end of the line with me. Yup.... packing his bags and sending him on his merry way. It's been a blast...... not!! LOL! I thought I'd give him another tattoo so he can remember his loving time with me. Farewell my little Milo!! I hope you don't have to go back to Texas!! : )

fill your heart with art

-manon

mom's day!!

2010-05-09T11:03:00.001-04:00

consumed with love
18" x 18" mixed media on canvas
© manon doyle

consumed with love - close up
© manon doyle

My mom is a neverending song in my heart of comfort, happiness, and being. I may sometimes forget the words but I always remember the tune. ~Graycie Harmon

I posted this pic two years ago but no one read my blog then so I'm reposting it....lol! I am pictured above at six months old with my mom and my brother, Daniel, a year before he passed.
Anyway... I love my mom. I can't thank her enough for raising my sister and I. She is an amazing woman and a lot of fun to be around. I'd write a list of her qualities but I'd be here all day. I will say that I couldn't of picked a better woman to care for me and love me. My sister, Claudine, would agree!! Big hugs and kisses to you Carmy!!
Btw.... I look at this pic and notice our hair is the same......omg..... I am my mother..... yikes...lol!

I couldn't find a decent pic of the three of us so here's Claudine and I as children. I would give my mum a medal for raising this kid. She was a handful!! : )

fill your heart with art and love

-manon

Milo.... the journey continues

2010-05-05T17:10:00.002-04:00

"I'll show her. Making me workout!! I'm the boss of me. She'll be so mad when she can't find that dioxazine purple paint....hee, hee! "

"Don't know what she's doing tonight but this is what I'm doing!! That babe in Texas showed me what a good time was. Let the good times roll!"

"Man.....things are looking pretty weird from here!! Where is that Manon chick? Could you give a bug a hand? Oooh.... I think i may need a restroom.......whaaaaaaaa!"

"Omg.... what the heck is this!! He looks so mean!! Hey.... chickie face..... get over here!! Get this terror away from me! "

"Ahhhhhhh..... DUDE..... THIS IS NOT COOL!!"

"Whew!! The chick finally rescued me.... thanks, babe! She put me out in the sun, gave me some of her chips and I'm just chillin'. Got myself two new pins and one is in honor of the Texas witch!! I'm a new man....yup.... givin' up my old ways. Hold on a minute...... *hey sweetheart will you grab me a cold one while I relax out here?*..... ya.... maybe not all my ways!"

fill your heart with art

-manon

the bug has arrived

2010-05-04T15:10:00.007-04:00

My friend, Deborah started a beautiful journey for Milo. He has traveled many miles to get to Ohio. His last stop was Texas...yikes. My girl, Ces, ruined this little bug. He partied, got a tattoo and did many things that a little guy shouldn't do. He even arrived in a dress....lol. So what's a girl to do with all this? Well.... time to put Milo on a workout plan....ya! Get the guy in shape.

"Who is this chick? What the hey? Cardio? What's up with that? I wanna go back to that Ces woman where I can party all night, hang with the babes and get myself another tat!"

"Squats? Geez. I'm gonna break my back! Get me out of here! I don't like this place and this Manon is a drag! I'm gonna hurl this weight right at her.....show her who's top bug!"

"OMG!!! Deb, baby..... please rescue me!! I'm hanging for dear life here. I've had such a blast in my other travels and now you send me to this? I want out.... i need a drink!! "

"Isn't this fun fabulous....ugh! Now she's got me sitting on some ball. Who sits on a ball anyway? What a nut job? How long is this trip going to last. Can't she paint or something? Someone help me.... PLEASE!"

fill your heart with art and Milo

-manon

gotta get back into my groove

2010-05-02T13:39:00.004-04:00

Alex and I
A daughter is a day brightener and a heart warmer.
~author unknown

I've had a busy couple of weeks. I just got back from Mom's Weekend at Ohio University. I had an awesome time with my classmates last weekend and this past Friday I hightailed it up to Athens, Ohio to see how the college students do it. OMG.... I'm so thankful I'm not 19 again....lol. I'm now sick....yup.... all this craziness had caught up with me. My friend, Laura, just told me that she doesn't remember me ever being sick. Yup.... she's right. I guess I can't soar with the eagles if I'm going to hoot with the owls...lol!

18" x 18" sketch on canvas
© manon doyle

This is the only thing I have to show for myself today. I will hopefully start painting her tomorrow. It's hard to see but I spackled the canvas before I sketched her. The spackle gives it a really nice texture. She's a version of a girl I did a while back but I'm going to change it up and add bolder colors. I need to get back into a painting groove. : )

fill your heart with art

-manon

friends for life

2010-04-28T12:35:00.004-04:00

6" x 9" mixed media painting
© manon doyle

I have made it back from Ottawa. It was a short trip but it was great to see my family and friends. We had a small reunion at my friend Louise's house. She was kind enough to open her home and have a rock out party. We are all older and I had not seen any of them for 25 years but as soon as I walked in it was like nothing had really changed. Our appearances change over time but the essence and souls of people stay the same. It was heartwarming. I now have my old friends.... that are new again...for life!

I'm a little behind on checking on all your blogs but I'll try to pop by soon!! : )

And the winner of the little painting is.......Sherry at of Mice and Men and Cabbages and Kings!! Yay!

fill your heart with art

-manon

a little giveaway!

2010-04-21T13:20:00.001-04:00

6"x6" mixed media on board
© manon doyle

6"x 6" mixed media on board
© manon doyle

I've been playing around with these little 6"x 6" pantings. They are a lot of fun. So.... I decided to give away one of them.... Yay! I'm going to give the red one away since I was listening to some rock music the other day and she became my rocker chick. Leave a comment anywhere here, Twitter or Facebook. I will draw the name next week when I get back.

Well.... I knew it was going to have to happen sooner or later. I'm getting on a plane tomorrow to visit my mom and dad.....lol! Just the three of us for 4 days.... : ) . Omg.... she gives me so much material to work with that I sometimes wish I were a comedian. I would have hours on just my mom. I'm sure she'll want to discuss *de blug* and *de gurls*....lol! I tink she will be appy dis time because all de gurls ave smilee faces..... lol! I am also getting together with high school friends that I have not seen in 25 years....yikes!! That should be a blast!!

See you next week!!

Fill your heart with art

-manon

Like my work!

i used to paint flowers

2010-04-18T09:40:00.001-04:00

6" x 9" mixed media painting
© manon doyle

6" x 9" mixed media painting
@ manon doyle

The painting above was a disaster so I decided to cover her up with gesso. I happen to love her now. A happy accident for me.

I'm often asked if I paint anything else other that women. I guess the answer is *no*...lol! I am able to paint other subject matter but there's a reason that I paint these women. Right now..... it's the thing in my art life that speaks to me. Each one of these girls is part of me and my feelings and I'm sure they may also represent the feelings of others. There are other artists that are driven by a passion for landscapes, still lifes and so on. This is my passion. Not to say it won't change..... who knows? : )

fill your heart with art

-manon

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a little fun today!!

2010-04-13T16:06:00.001-04:00

missing you
12" x 16" mixed media on board
© manon doyle

This was going to be a serious piece..... ya right! Ok, so as I painted this I couldn't help but wonder what she might be thinking. Btw... I was going to post her tomorrow but some of the girls on my Facebook page came up with ideas of their own so i thought I better get to it...lol! Here are some of the things that came to my mind. Please feel free to comment and add your own ideas!

*mmm.... I bet I just blew that ACT*
*omg..... why is there a trail of toilet paper behind me?*
*ohhh..... I guess tequila and wine really don't mix!*
*oooh.... think I forgot to turn the oven on this morning..... Happy Thanksgiving everyone!*

I could go on but I'll let you add to my list! : )

fill your heart with art

-manon

become a Fan!

can u feel it?

2010-04-11T13:55:00.002-04:00

can u feel it
© manon doyle
12" x 12' mixed media on birch

I feel it in my fingers
I feel it in my toes
Love is all around me
And so the feeling grows

It's written on the wind
It's everywhere I go, oh yes it is
So if you really love me
Come on and let it show

You know I love you, I always will
My mind's made up by the
way that I feel
there's no beginning,
there'll be no end
cause on my love you can depend
Love Is All Around
- written by reg presley and performed by Wet Wet Wet

I have to say that I'm a sucker for this song. I'm not even sure why but I love it!!

My sisterfriend, Ces, came up with a beautiful day last week. It was *sisterfriend day*. The day was to celebrate our girly friendships that have blossomed in Blogland . We support and inspire each other, share stories and techniques, and most of all have formed wonderful friendships through our blogs. She also deemed it *no housework day*. I, quite frankly, wished that would have gone on for the rest of the month... lol! Thank you, Ces, for your friendship and generosity!!

I thought about all this blogging and Facebooking stuff. It's work at times keeping up but I have met new friends and rediscovered old ones. It's awesome! I feel the love from many corners of the world and that warms my heart.

fill your heart with art and friendship

-manon

If you want to follow the progression of my paintings... become a fan.

dream your dream

2010-04-07T17:47:00.006-04:00

7" x 10" journal page
© manon doyle

“Dreams are like the paints of a great artist. Your dreams are your paints, the world is your canvas. Believing, is the brush that converts your dreams into a masterpiece of reality."
-author unknown

The last two days I've had a hard time motivating myself. I finally decided to blast the music loud and dance...lol! It always works and gets me in the zone to paint.

I've always been a little intimidated by the color green.... yup...lol! The last two paintings I've forced myself to use it. I do believe that it's growing on me.

journal
© manon doyle

This journal is filling up nicely. It's great to have as a warm up for the paintings and to get out what I feel in my heart.

fill your heart with art

-manon

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love overflowing

2010-04-05T14:09:00.001-04:00

love overflowing
20" x 24" mixed media painting on canvas
© manon doyle

And through it all she offers me protection
A lot of love and affection
Whether I'm right or wrong
And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me
I know that life won't break me
When I come to call she won't forsake me
I'm loving angels instead
- robbie williams Angels

I'm not quite sure if I'm finished with this so I'm going to leave it for now. It somehow feels like I could push it a little further. I do like working on a bigger canvas because I can use bigger brushes and swoosh more paint around. Playing in paint all day makes me very happy! : )

© manon doyle

And the winner is.......

James Parker!! Awe.... Mr. James has a great blog filled with his art and his hugely funny personality. I crack up every time I visit! Congrats, James!!

fill your heart with art

-manon

Become a Facebook Fan.

work in progress and a print giveaway

2010-03-31T15:54:00.001-04:00

20" x 24" mixed media work in progress
© manon doyle

The last few days I've been showing the progression of this painting on my Facebook Fan Page. It's bright right now...lol. This piece is 20" x 24". I thought I'd get into some bigger works for a bit and move out of my journal. I didn't paint her today because I felt I needed to take a step back and think about what's next. What's next should be toning it down...lol. Omg.... where is my head? lol

Giveaway

8' x 10" print
© manon doyle

I'm giving an 8" x 10" print of one of my journal pages away. Not a heart this time....lol! I'll have this up probably until Monday so if you leave a comment on here, Twitter or Facebook .... I'll throw you into the draw.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter!!

fill you heart with art and color

-manon

Become a Facebook Fan.

The Blog of Manon Doyle

dry skin?

I'm back!!!

falling free

friendship

new painting and an enameled necklace

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts

working in my old journals

August

stripping away the makeup

insanity

angelic

out and about

my new painting and a book by Carmen Torbus

quotes for you

if at first it doesn't work....breathe

beautiful tears

finished before they melted

just paint it!!!

giving hearts

slowly returning

lovin' the sun

flawless imperfection

a little of this and that

new journal page

a gift for me

journal page and a GIVEAWAY!!!

my lack of brushstrokes

i miss my Moleskin

painting hearts

my dream

I am me

guide me

the eyes have it

faith in my heart

happy holidays

three new paintings

only a few days left

passion

what's up with this?

i am still on the art challenge!!!

if all else fails....paint hearts

art every day month challenge......what day am i on?

Day 8

life has unforgettable moments

day 4 of the art challenge

day 3

is it only day 2?

Art Every Day Month

shine on

renewed passion

i believe in my destiny

you move me

earth teach me

sorry.... I forgot

merrily I roll along

sketches for new paintings

*no painting zone* and a giveaway

be still

new painting

you deserve beautiful

searching for answers

be you

be brave

painting everything in sight

back from blogger break

path of the heart

a little progress

painting in progress

i hope i can write another post

watch over me

music inspires me

surrounded by love

Inktense makes me happy

blue

the not so good

new paintings

*awakening* has a new home

a day to celebrate

a little of this and that

no painting zone and a giveaway

awakening has a new home