Featuring colorist Ronda Francis

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Rule Your Own Life

Change can be hard when you are used to living your life a certain way. Not only hard for you, but others also.

If you are used to doing everything for everyone and putting yourself on the back burner, it may come as a shock to them when they have to start putting away their own socks. Many times when we find ourselves angry and exhausted it is because we are doing things we no longer need to do. 

Yep, your 15 year old can do his own laundry.

So get used to it! 

The same goes for your art. It is your own world and you can make it any awesome way you like.


Little Ruby
 If you like black and white and red all over, go for it. Glorious colors are your thing? Don't hold back.

You do not have to try and follow someone else's style because they are popular. Make your own style, then find the people who like it. There are Facebook groups, Google hangouts, Meetups, and endless social media forms where you can find your people.


Ruby, grown up.

So stop conforming! 

Be like a comet and blaze your own trail. 

xo

Oh! Don't forget to enter the February Art Giveaway RIGHT HERE. Good luck!



(This blog was inspired by awesome art agent Lilla Rogers and her Monday Moments. You can find her HERE.)


65 comments:

  1. So true Dea. I made my 4 guys do their own laundry when they were around 11. Love the "little ruby" painting ---so pretty. I like what you said about art - doing your own thing...very nice.

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    1. Thank you Sandy! I am not sure why women (and men for that matter) are so quick to give up what is important to them. And good for you! Your four guys are probably self sufficient and great at caring for themselves. Have a great week! xo

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  2. Lovely post, with great advice and I love your pieces today!

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    1. Thank you! Grown up Ruby is the first of a series so I am glad you like her. xo

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  3. Your advice is so meaningful when you are a newbie like I am. I already notice that I have my own style, and I am happy with it. I just spend way too much time worrying about how it looks when I post it to the blog. I what everything to be just right. I need to learn to accept it as it is and stop changing and fixing this and that. I love your drawing this week. The flowers are so whimsical and went and the face on you girl is lovely. I just adore your work.

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    1. Genie I do the exact same thing. I go over and over until I think it's perfect. I don't think that is a bad thing--in fact I think it helps us improve! Thanks for your super sweet words--I am always happy when you stop by. Have a great week! xo

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  4. Great post, we all need to really do our own thing. Happy PPF, Hugs, Valerie

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    1. We DO Valerie! And to a point I think we can't help it--we just have to get out of our own way! xo

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  5. The girl is also sweet and your style is great,Dea.
    Happy PPF xx

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    1. Thank you so much Sirkka! I appreciate the kindness. xo

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  6. perfectly put... great post and lovely art to go with it...xx

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    1. Thank you thank you Tracey! (Love the image of those shoes BTW--soo great.) Have a great week. xo

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  7. Wonderful artwork. People do not like change. When I started writing, I noticed those close to me starting to become worried about how my new-found creativity was going to affect them, and it seemed like they tried to distract me every time I put pen to paper. They soon found out, however, that I was not for stopping no matter what obstacles they put in my way. It took a little time, but now people tend to leave me to my own devices and let me get on with what I need to do. If you stick to your guns people will eventually get the message.
    So true what you say about your art being your world. That is something I have told my daughter frequently, and something which she has taken on board. She is only young, but some of her artwork is just so imaginative it's sometimes hard to believe how young she is.

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    1. OMG Ink--I had the same thing happen! How dare we venture out into our own wonderful art-world? If I didn't know better I would think it was sabotage! (And I swear the people I love the most were the worst offenders--not every time, but you get it.) Yes--you have to be your own advocate here--there are obstacles around every corner. I'm glad you stuck it through. As for your daughter--it is wonderful that you are supportive. I would love to see her work one day. Some work of the little ones surprises me. xo

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  8. Well written! And yes, a 15 year old can help with the laundry. I was "forced" to do it at a much younger age and din't die. ;) Happy PPF!

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    1. Right! I think they are better for it too. They realize the world is not there to make them happy. :) Happy PPF to you to Kokopelli! xo

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  9. Well written and easy for some of us to follow. Learning new things and then make them our own is great. I just love it when I can feel some new technique is falling in place and feels familiar. People quite new to art might not yet have the confidence and experience to know this, but it sure helps to trust the process.

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    1. Yes I agree. It is a wonderful feeling when suddenly it clicks. And I do believe that people can ask and ask how to do something--but there is no way to explain--you literally just have to go for it! Have a great week Laila. xo

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  10. Great post! you're so right, we each have our own individual style and I love the whole evolution of that, finding out what fits for you, trying different things while not blatantly just copying some other artist. Using your own imagination is what makes an artist unique.

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    1. Yes Nicole! I had to get over the fact that not every piece was going to be good. I had to be more giving and just go for it over and over. NOTHING in art is a waste of time (except sleeping). Have a great week Nicola! xo

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  11. Well written, be proud of yourself and your own doings!

    (and you 15 years old, wash up those clothes!)

    Ruby is so sweet, I love her hair!

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    1. Thank you thank you Susu! Yes--my son who is now 19 and in college got the hint very quickly when the familiar stack of folded clothes on his bed was no longer there. ;) He picked it up quick. Have a great week! xo

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  12. great advice, and I love little Ruby in flowerland as well as her beautiful grown up face. Happy PPF!

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    1. Awww--Ruby in Flowerland--I think that is my next book title. Have a great week and thank you! xo

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  13. Yes I agree with you 100%. Your art is beautiful. I see how Ruby grew up to be confident woman. Thank you for the giveaway as well.

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    1. Awww thank you Nicole. Your kind words mean the world. Good luck on the giveaway! Next month is a bit of artistic luxury. Have a good week! xo

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  14. Very sage advice and so true!! Be you, the best way you can!! Love Ruby she is phenomenal...vintage looking yet current.... the other one with all the scrumptious colour is awesome too!!Love the little girl hiding in a forest of flowers!! So fun!! Thanks for sharing your wonderful spirit and art!!

    Hugs Giggles

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    1. Thank you thank you Giggles! So glad you like Ruby as she is the first drawing in a series. (Forest of Flowers--too cute. Perfect alliteration--I think. Actually it might need one more word to qualify--but I like it anyway.) Have a great week and keep your fingers crossed for an early spring! xo

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  15. Very wise words! I love little Ruby ♥

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    1. Thank you so much denthe. Ruby looks like my little sister when she actually was little. Have a great week. xo

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  16. Little Ruby is so cute with all her glorious flowers. Wise words.
    Happy PPF
    Vicki-Ann :)

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    1. Thank you so much Vicki-Ann! I think I draw her that way because that is how I would be happiest. Have a lovely week! xo

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  17. I enjoy your beautiful paintings and the good suggestions concerning art and life.

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    1. Thank you Gloria--I appreciate the kind words. Have a great weekend. xo

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  18. I love little Ruby, how adorable! But I like the grownup image even more, just beautiful style and color! Love that hair!

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    1. Oh thank you for saying Cindy! Grown up Ruby is the first of a series so I'm happy you said you like her. Hope you have a great week! xo

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  19. What a wonderful post, Dea! I am very glad we found each other on Instagram and in blogosphere. Now I need to do some more perusing of your site and work, but later - first I need to get rid of my headache so I can really enjoy what I am seeing XO

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  20. Yes! I agree! Oh no a headache! Feel better--headaches are the worst. xo

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  21. Great work and great advise. It's so wonderful when a person finds his/her own unique voice and becomes 'true to themselves'. hugs, Donna

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    1. Thank you Dorothy--I agree with you. Not an easy task! I think for some it is the most difficult of all. In fact I think some don't even realize they are avoiding it. And do wonderful when they come through. Have a wonderful week. xo

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  22. Oh Little Ruby! - is she part of a story? Love to see her among the giant flowers.
    Just gone back up for another look - and she's all grown up now - aaawww! Love her necklace too.
    Good words about finding your own style - that's why I don't like workshops so much.

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    1. Yes Sheila--she is in a book I am working on. And yes that necklace--I would like to have that myself!
      You know I never thought of that with workshops but you are right. Have a great week. xo

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  23. I must say I adore little Ruby and those gorgeous flowers!!
    I have always danced to my own drum
    Happy PPF

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    1. Thank you thank you and good for you! Not an easy task. xo Have a great week!

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  24. I love how you portray Ruby at different ages - and her background changing along with her! Beautiful soft shading.

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    1. Thank you thank you! Grown up Ruby is the first in a series so I'm glad you like. Have a great week! xo

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  25. I couldn't agree more. Art is a personal expression of who we are, so it can't be real if it's a copy. I love Ruby's magical world growing up, and the beauty she blossomed to be. Blessings!

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    1. Thank you thank you Arnoldo. Sometimes it is hard to find ourselves--we dont realize we need to be brave. Hope you have a lovely week. xo

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  26. you drawings are so happy colored and ful of smiles - thank you for share them with me, with us :)

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    1. Thank you Nat. I love your work too--very expressive and rich with emotion. I'm going to go take a look through your Google+ page. Good to connect. xo

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    1. Aww thank you Granny Annie! Have a lovely week! xo

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  28. Love Ruby - all grown up! I especially like the part about living your life any awesome way you like!! And how can anyone beat blazing like a comet? Keep on inspiring the world and happy PPF!! :)

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    1. Thank you so much Tammie! I am so happy to hear you like Ruby grown up since she is the first of a series of Zodiac girls. Those Polychromos pencils are amazing. Hope you have a great week and happy PPF to you too! xo

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  29. So true, but then, also not always so easy to do. With so much inspiration everywhere around, it can sometimes be hard not to get overwhelmed and lose touch. But always something worth remembering. Ruby looks great!

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    1. Thank you Nordljus! And you are so right. Tough stuff when you get right down to it. But then again we artists need a thick skin. Have a great week! xo

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  30. Absolutely. As long as you're not hurting anyone, you should live your life in your own terms. And those artworks are so fabulous.

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    1. Thank you Lux! And great words you said--so true! Have a great week! xo

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  31. Great advice! Something I try to follow myself. Ruby is wonderful.

    Thanks for visiting my blog and I enjoyed reading your comment about your experience with the owl and the hawk. I envy you.

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