Creating Art Makes Me a Better Person

on January 26, 2013

What makes you a better person?

“Creating Art Makes me a Better Person,” by Melissa Fassel Dunn

Like this print? It’s for sale in my Etsy Shop!

I’ve been able to spend more time painting the past month than I have in the past six months combined.

I’m guessing this is pretty normal for a working mom of three kiddos under six, one of whom isn’t that fond of sleeping through the night. Anyway, mommy issues aside, it’s pretty miraculous that I was actually able to finish a painting! (Hopefully, you’ve checked out my Conway Covered Bridge painting, complete with progress.)

So, the other night, while I was putting the finishing touches on Conway Covered Bridge, I thought to myself, “Creating art makes me a better person.” And probably healthier, too. I’m one of the most Type A people ever – definitely not your typical artist. I have to fight myself to be Zen (an oxymoron, I know). But, when I have time to regularly paint, I’m less bothered by the little things, less aggravated with my husband, and I’m a WAY better mom.

During my six month old’s 2 a.m. feeding that night, I wondered what else made me a better person… coffee, definitely. Working out? Check! Losing 5 lb? Double check! There are so many things that make us feel better on multiple levels. I thought I would branch out of painting and make a digital print of what makes me a better person.

I would love to hear your comments about what makes *you* a better person!

Maybe it’s a long run, a hot bath, or even People magazine. Please share!

Conway Covered Bridge, progression

on January 21, 2013

Conway Covered Bridge

I don’t paint enough winter scenes. Perhaps, it’s because I love summer. I mean, l kindof live for summer. There’s something so romantic about New England’s covered bridges in the winter, I thought I would paint a small one surrounded by some mountains. At 8×8″, this painting would be a great addition to any room. I will update with my progress!

Original Sketch:

“Conway Covered Bridge,” sketch by Melissa Fassel Dunn

Day 1:

“Conway Covered Bridge,” Progression I by Melissa Fassel Dunn

Day 2:

Note my daughter’s contribution to the painting… (purple crayon in the window). I guess I left it out for too long!

“Conway Covered Bridge,” Progression II by Melissa Fassel Dunn

Day 3:

“Conway Covered Bridge,” Progression IIII by Melissa Fassel Dunn

Day 4:

Listening to Ray Charles Radio on Pandora + Painting = Total Relaxation. I thought I was finished with this, until my husband reminded me that the road doesn’t actually go through the bridge. At that point, it’s the bridge floor. I pointed out that I’m not exactly going for realism, given that my portrayal of the bridge is actually structurally unsound, but at the end of the day, he’s right. Back to the brush!

“Conway Covered Bridge,” Progression IV by Melissa Fassel Dunn

Day 5

“Conway Covered Bridge,” by Melissa Fassel Dunn

Why Conway?

I decided to give the bridge’s sign the name Conway, in reference to the Northern New Hampshire ski town.

“Conway Covered Bridge,” by Melissa Fassel Dunn

Check out my super fancy palette!

“Conway Covered Bridge” palette

1 Comment

What would you like to do if money were no object?

on January 15, 2013

This video has gone viral, for good reason. Every time it appears in one of my friend’s Facebook posts, I take the three-and-change minutes to watch it. I wish somebody had shown this to me when I was eighteen.

What really resonates with me, as a mom, is that our children follow or example: if we continue to support the notion that we have to work at something we don’t necessarily love, we are teaching them to do that exact same thing. Take a couple of minutes to view this — and share it with a child.

whimsy for your world

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