Tag: artexhibition

An Exceptionally Difficult Year

Let me start by saying how incredibly grateful I am for the wonderful people in my life. Family, art friends, and kind people on the internet. I never want to take them for granted.

I haven’t been as active, artwise, this year, as I’ve been in previous years, due to heartbreaking life events.

As you may or may not know, I suffer from chronic illnesses. Every day, every moment my symptoms can change. Dealing with health problems is time consuming, expensive, and draining on your mental health. It’s devastating and isolating. I’ve really taken the year to focus on my mental health and heal past childhood traumas, in hopes it helps my overall health.

June wasn’t a good month for me and my family. My dog became extremely ill and we spent all we could to try to save him, last October. And we did. We got around eight more months with him, before he became ill again. We made the excruciatingly painful decision to ease his suffering. He passed June 8th. He was my bestest buddy and I’ve been mourning his loss a great deal.

Then, last month, August, I was painting, when my brother called to tell me our mom was in the hospital. She was dying. She was moved to hospice, where she passed away. It all happened so quickly and unexpectedly. But I was by her side, when she passed and we got to say our “I love you’s” to each other, before she went.

My mother’s passing has hit me hard. I haven’t painted anything in the past month. I just wasn’t able to bring myself to do it, until today. My mom would always see my Instagram posts and tell me how much she loved my artwork. She’ll never get to do that again and it hurts so much. I just didn’t feel like creating, but I also know art heals the soul.

I decided, despite everything, to take myself out to lunch and then to go paint in the park today. I’m so glad I did. I actually had some fun and I hope my mom was there with me.

Painting pumpkins in the park on my mom’s blanket

I’ve had a few of my art pieces on exhibit earlier in the year. And I was recently asked to join an exhibition at The Lil Blue Goat in Mansfield Texas. The artist’s reception is October 14th, with details in the above link. I’ve been thinking of joining a biweekly artist get together to get out more, also.

Both watercolor pieces are on exhibit at The Lil Blue Goat in Mansfield Texas. The top piece has sold. The bottom is available.

I’m still here, though. I post on TikTok pretty much daily. I’m on Instagram and YouTube also. As well as Facebook and Pinterest. I also have loads of work available in my Society6 shop and some in my new Threadless shop. You can find everything through my LinkTree.

This beautiful design of mine is available in my Threadless shop. Link above.

Thank you so much for supporting me, my work, and this little blog of mine. Take care of yourself and hug your mom, if you can.

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“Never Let Gogh Of Your Dreams” Painting

Here I am standing with a large 3d statue of a hand reaching out. I painstakingly hand painted it in an homage to Van Gogh. It’s named “Never Let Gogh Of Your Dreams”.

A friend purchased this large statuette at Ross with the hopes of doing something special with it. She never got around to painting it, so she asked me to work some magic and my first thought was Van Gogh’s Starry Night. What could be more magical?!

Detail Photo Of “Never Let Gogh Of Your Dreams” by artist Misty Lemons of Designs By Misty Blue

I liked the idea of the design swirling around the length of the arm and stars kissing the fingertips on the statue. I love how the piece turned out, but it fought me every step of the way. Lol! Van Gogh was a genius who created flowing, passionate works of art. To try to recreate such a unique style was difficult, but well worth the effort and I had so much fun with it!

Detail Photos Of “Never Let Gogh Of Your Dreams” by Misty Lemons

One of my all time favorite artists is Van Gogh. He had a tumultuous life and yet still created brilliant emotionally charged pieces in vibrant colors. You can almost feel the flow of energy radiating from his pieces. I can relate to having difficult and traumatic times in my life also. And though hard times suck, they can enrich the soul and your art. It can make you a more passionate, empathetic person.

“Never Let Gogh Of Your Dreams” by Misty Lemons

The statue stands almost one and a half feet tall. My friend wound up giving me the piece to do what I wish with it. I don’t think I’ll part with it anytime soon. I love how it turned out and I want to keep it in my personal collection for the time being. Despite how large the piece is, it’s fairly lightweight, which helps with carrying it. Right now, I have it on display in my office.

Size Reference (Please, Excuse My Dry Hand! Lol!)

I painted the hand with acrylics and thoroughly sealed it in a semi gloss finish, so it has a nice sheen to it.

I love how painting odd shapes presents a challenge. It was a lot of fun trying to feel out the piece and place the artwork in a pleasing manner. Painting rocks prepared me well for this challenge! A rocks surface can present several challenges! From size, texture, surface, porousness, and more! I love painting rocks!

Large Rock I Painted (This Piece Is Also A Part Of My Personal Collection)

I hope the name of the piece resonates. Despite hardships and disadvantages, it’s important to hang on to hope. Please, remember to “Never Let Gogh Of Your Dreams”.

To Learn More About Me, Please Visit: http://www.designsbymistyblue.com

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Goodbye 2020: An Artist’s Reflection

As the year comes to a close, I’m wont to reflect upon the highs and lows of the year. I’m sure so many are doing the same all over the world.

For me, the year has been an emotional rollercoaster. I bet you can relate. It was getting to a point where it was effecting my health, so I was put on an anti-anxiety medication. Which, has taken the edge off. You may be thinking I’m oversharing and I might be, but if you are going through some things, just know you aren’t alone. It’s been a tough year for a lot of people and it’s okay to seek help. You don’t have to shoulder the burden alone.

That said, there’s been a bunch of good too! People coming together (but staying apart, if that makes sense), people trying to help others stay calm or find peace and comfort, artists trying their level best to make a positive difference. Myself included!

Earlier this year, right after the pandemic hit, I decided to create a project with other artists, all while in lockdown/quarantine. I came up with the Artists Give Love Project. We each created a painting of a message we wanted to convey to our communities and the world. I did “Give Love”, but there was also “Give Kindness”, “Give Thanks”, “Give Hope”, and more. In the end, we created a video challenging others to give messages and then ultimately, our pieces were hung in an exhibit at the Farr Best Theater in Mansfield Texas. The project was even featured in an Art News article circulated online for Texas artists to read and be a part of.

I’m proud that I could curate such a fine endeavor with a group of highly talented artists with kind, beautiful souls. And from that project grew friendships and strong art connections. I love my arty friends!

Project Artists Give Love (Top left by Sang Ratu Adil, Bottom left by Heidi Tournoux-Hanshaw, Top middle by Heather Schroeder Harbaugh, Middle by me, Misty Lemons/Designs By Misty Blue, Bottom middle by Keerthana Naresh/Kiki.artful, Top right by Dallas Williams Art & Bottom right by Wendy-Wayne Caldwell/Artsundefined By Wendy Moniqué)

During quarantine, I wanted to help artists keep busy during an extremely difficult time and create hope for others who were struggling. To combat anxiety, I drew a lot and I do mean A LOT! My iPad was a constant and welcome companion. Each illustration was meant to shine a light into the darkness, not only for others, but for myself. I’m so thankful I had such an outlet for my thoughts and emotions. And it is my deepest hope that I was able to help others.

This illustration was inspired by the senseless, heartbreaking murder of Elijah McClain. Please, if you don’t know about it, Google it. His family still needs justice. You can also go to their Justice For Elijah page on Instagram.

People are trying to find some sense of normalcy and comfort during these exceedingly difficult times and so people are trying to move on. That said, art/music festivals are trying to find ways to be safe and create opportunities for artists to work. Mansfield had Music Alley this year and though it was less capacity and people had to wear masks, it was a success. I didn’t have a booth set up, but my art was present. I entered into the art contest and the photography contest. I won first place in the photography contest. I actually cried when I found out. It meant so much to me, after the year I’ve had. It was a bucket list item of mine, to win a photography contest. Before I started Designs By Misty Blue, I did photography with Misty Expressions Photography, a hobby that I loved for many years. So photography holds a very special place in my heart.

My Photo That Won First Place In Mansfield’s Music Alley Photo Contest

When I took the photo, we were still in quarantine basically, the tail end of it really. I found out about a huge sunflower field about an hour from our home. It was a welcomed outing for my family. When we got to the field, it was breathtaking! I was so excited that I didn’t look where I was stepping and evidently I trounced through an anthill. I still have the scars on my ankle where they tore into me. But getting this image and especially winning first place made it worth it.

So yeah, it’s been tough. Tougher than most years. But there’s been so much good too. I feel closer to my husband and son. I’ve gained some pretty amazing art friends, and so much passionate art has come from these trying times. I’m counting my blessings, for sure. Keep hope alive. That’s the least we can do. G*d bless and here’s to better days! Cheers!

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To Learn More About Me And My Artwork, Please Visit: www.designsbymistyblue.com

Copyrights to ALL images displayed here on this blog are the sole property to Misty Lemons of Designs By Misty Blue and Misty Expressions Photography. Do Not Copy Or Distribute Without Permission Or Credit. Permission must be approved first. The same goes for any quotes from my blog. All thoughts expressed are opinions and not subject to legal action, as such. Thank you.

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