Commissions, and Connections. :)

Today a lovely young woman came by to pick up a commissioned painting. I was anxious, as I always am when someone finally meets their painting face to face. I am always looking for that involuntary first reaction, hoping for a gasp of recognition, an instant connection with the piece. I unwrapped the painting and showed it to her. She took a breath, and hid her face with her hands. When she lowered her hands, her eyes were glistening with tears. Even before she spoke, I knew from that first reaction that something special had happened between her and the painting. It was the most beautiful, inspiring thing that has happened to me in awhile, especially in these past few months, where I have been caught up in making things to be sold. At the heart of everything I do, there is this: the belief that art connects us to each other in a basic, inexplicable way. I needed dearly to be reminded of this. 

Bits and Pieces

Hi!!

My goodness, I have not updated this blog for what seems like so long. The past few weeks have been so incredibly busy, productive and surprising that I am just now pausing to catch my breath a bit. On the first Saturday of this month I took part in the annual Bits & Pieces event, which was held this year at Movie Towne, Invader's Bay. Twas the biggest artisan's market I've been a part of thus far... and I was more than just a little anxious about the scale of it! Things went beautifully, though. The flow of energy was wonderful, and we met some lovely, creative, energizing folks there. A couple of paintings found new homes, and so did many of the notebooks, bookmarks and gift sets on the bright little table pictured below. I think things like this have become largely about the sharing of energy for me. They are sooo creatively revitalizing, and so inspiring. I've also revived my Etsy shop, and filled it up with some new little things. I will update soon. So much to share with you.

I hope you're well. <3

Soon,

Dani

Handpainted bags. These are sewn by my grandmother. :)

greeting cards and notepads

art bookmarks! 

bookmarks, gift sets, keychains

and me! :D

Mural Painting

My work on one of the walls where the Represent: Regional Mural Project was taking place. :)

Twas such an experience!

Grow, do good, be inspired <3

 

Diviner

"I’ve been walking so long

with my diviner’s eyes bound

and the green earth that lives in me

turned to drought on my tongue."

 ...

Featured Work

Hello you!

I just realized that I haven't updated or posted in quite a while! I'm passing through a season of searching and quiet discovery at the moment, and during these times I can scarcely keep track of things... time seems to fly away with me. My work has been featured in a couple of places these past few weeks, and I want to share them here:

Scissors and Spackle: a Journal of the Written Word (paintings)

http://www.scissorsandspackle.com/august/visual-art/danielle-boodoo-fortune/

Splash of Red: Online Literary Arts Magazine (paintings)

http://splashofred.squarespace.com/red-gallery/danielle-boodoo-fortune/

Zocalo Poets (poetry)

http://zocalopoets.com/2012/08/31/danielle-boodoo-fortune-morning-song-for-a-second-son/

Blessings,

Dani

Marie and the Story World

I have a habit of making up a story for every drawing that I do. When I was younger, I would create worlds around the girl in the drawing. Sometimes there would be a whole series of drawings around that one imaginary girl. And by the end of it, she wasn't imaginary to me anymore... she would become so real. I'd feel as if there must be a girl somewhere in the world with a story just like hers. I still do feel that way about my paintings. They are each so very real to me, created out of a feeling so very tangible.

This is Marie. For some reason, she reminds me of those girls I used to draw when I was little. I feel instinctively as though one painting is not enough for her.

More soon.

Dani

Mango Morning

After each morning run, we would come home and raid the mango tree. He'd tug them down, and I'd collect them, clasp against my damp chest, each one edible gold. For two weeks, it was like this: we'd sit in perfectly full silence, savouring our morning mangoes. Now the tree is still, gathering sunlight, flowering quietly. Looking forward to more mango mornings. 

Mango morning, watercolour and pen

Mango Morning, watercolour and pen

All The World is Light....

Morning on the Hill... O, All the World is Light.

Blessings,
D

Wildflower Studio

Wildflower Studio is where I keep all my little handmade things.:) So far we've made bookmarks, notebooks, keyrings, greeting cards and tote bags using my art as inspiration. The page is here, if you want to check it out, and maybe give it a like! :D
http://www.facebook.com/the.wildflower.studio

Also, we've linked up with this very cool site, Ah!Piece, which carries locally made items for purchase online. They deliver anywhere in the world. Links to our handmade things below.

Bookmarks on Ah!Piece
Notepads on Ah!Piece
Key Rings on Ah!Piece
Greeting Cards on Ah!Piece
Tote Bags on Ah! Piece

More art soon, I promise.
Blessings,

~D

Two Things Bright and Beautiful

Hello you:)

I really don't think of all my pieces as being beautiful. At least I don't intentionally try to make each of them beautiful. Some pieces are unsettling, just simply the outcome of burning ideas, or some insistent need. Some are so complicated, and bound up so intimately in my own experience that I can scarcely explain them.

These though, are just bright and beautiful, and I love that.:) I think that a little brightness and loveliness has its importance too, oh yes. This is my Bright and Beautiful diptych. The dresses, the colours, the whole energy of the both paintings just make me happy. Hope you like!

Blessings,

Dani

On Painting and Poetry

I've been asking myself questions about my art lately. Interviews tend to do this to me, leave my thoughts circling around some central idea that I cannot quite get to because it is so fortressed. I think of my own art as intimate poetry, as letters to a loved one, as metaphor in itself. I've become obsessed with the idea of what we keep, of submerged and secret selves, and of all the personal meaning that gathers in objects, places and words. I've barely begun to say what I want to... but I am happy with what's emerging. 

Love and Blessings,

Dani

The Good Daughter. Acrylic, Pen and Collage.

New Workspace

This is my new workspace. I'm sitting here listening to birds in the little orange tree just outside the window. I'm working on lots of little pieces, and having fun with the possibilities. I can't wait to show you some new photos when it's all complete.

Hopefully good things come out of this new space.

~D

The cover of Blackberry: a magazine

Yesterday in the mail I received my beautiful, glossy copy of the premier issue of Blackberry: a magazine. (go to the magazine's website)

My art is featured on both front and back covers. yayy!! :) I am so thrilled about this. It's a lovely publication, and a great selection of literary material too. I keep randomly touching the cover. I can't help it.

My first blogoversary approaches, and I think this is a nice way to mark the occasion! I think we're in a pretty sweet place, and I am so thankful for that.

Blessings,

D

*You Inspire Me: ::interview with Dani::

Interview with me on Essence Vibez' blog:) Follow the link and check it out!

*You Inspire Me: ::interivew with Dani::: JACKPOT DANI IS PHENOMENAL!!! What is your name? Dani Do you have a website/blog?  I do! It's at danielleboodoofortune....

Morning, Sunshine.

It's early. It seems that all the birds in the world are anticipating the light, already bursting with song. It's no small feat, this matter of rising each day with a song. I have no idea how they do it. It's the stuff of Lazarus poems and earth-worshipping paintings. I will sit here, just for a moment, and allow myself to be awed by this small thing. I cannot see the sun, but I know it's on its way. I can feel it:)

Have a beautiful day.

Dani

The Sun Lady. Watercolour and Pen.
Please do not use without permission.

Making Notebooks

I call them thought books:). They're wee little notebooks, decorated with artwork and all sorts of intricate design details. They're meant to be carried around, kept for recording inspiration wherever one may find it. I've used all sorts of natural fibres, including strong tree vines and coconut tree fibres. It's soo good to make things. My hands are tired, but it's been incredibly fulfilling. 

Soon,

~D

Bookmarks

...new project in the works:)

These bookmarks are prints of my art, accessorized with beads, leather and all sorts of odds and ends. 

If you're interested, contact me at dboodoofortune@live.com

Blessings,

Dani

The Three Ladies: Notebooks

The Three Ladies are watercolour and ink pieces. Each one is uniquely patterned, and is a perfectly unique individual in my mind. They've been in my head for awhile now, but it was only last week that I was able to put them to paper. 

I've embarked upon a paper project, with these ladies at the core. The first part of it is this series of little hand-stitched notebooks. A print of each lady is included, and seen through a window in the outer cover. The outer cover is also hand-collaged. 

I'm hoping, soon, to be able to make more of these that I can offer for sale. There are also bookmarks and postcards in the works. I have such faith in this project... can't wait to update you with progress :)

Dani

Moon Water and the Bamboo Lady

"On the night of a full moon, fill a jar with water.

After the moon is fully visible in the sky, take the jar outside and position it so the moon is reflected within. Maintain this position, looking at the moon's reflection in the water.

The water is now charged with lunar energy."

"The Bamboo Lady", keeper of water and enchantress of the moon. 

watercolour, acrylic and ink.

Dryad Blog

Hi:)
I've been posting the odd photos here, from time to time. I take too many... they take on lives of their own!
They're so good for my creative process, though. I've started a blog for these images, and random bits of nature stuff.

It's here...
http://dryadimages.blogspot.com/

Soon,
Dani

Outside

The only thing better than being outside is being outside with the doggies :)

I'm not a photographer, but I do love to capture beautiful little things. Hope these make you smile, or at least make your heart a bit lighter.

Blessings,

Dani