Almost wordless Wednesday; A break in Paris & Pere Lachaise

   After a blogging break, some upheaval, and a lot of travel, there's really so much to say...
but it is wordless Wednesday, so I'll compromise.

Pere Lachaise is probably one of my favorite spots in Paris, and I took more photos, but this one captured the overall feel.

 While strolling the streets of Paris is beyond amazing, there really isn't a better place for a quiet, reflective walk in the city than Pere Lachaise cemetery in the 20th arrondisement. The cool of autumn provides the perfect light and temperature for the kind of contemplation that comes with a walk among the graves.

 If you aren't too star struck by the monuments to famous people like Chopin, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, and Jim Morrison -and the list goes on- you'll see that everyone lying in repose here is equally still, and your mind will settle on the sunlight. Your senses will heighten as you feel the breeze and hear the leaves rustle, because you are enjoying these small pleasures while you can.

Do you like to walk or sit in cemeteries?

What's your favorite?

Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by, 

~D. Renée

Something wicked this way comes...

It's heeeeere!

October, aka the most wonderful time of the year, is back, and along with it all things Halloweenie.

(Visit this post to see our October ancestor tree tradition.)

The Patron reward printables are posted to the Patreon page, so visit there if you're interested in supporting art & getting benefits like freebie downloads & reward codes.

(This month's mid & top tier Patrons get treats from Paris! Read the post for more.)

If monthly subscriptions aren't your goodie bag but you like spooky DIY decor & coloring pages, swing by the NouveauNiche shop for a special bundle featuring 5 Halloween themed pages including one new (to Etsy) owl page. Patrons will remember this guy from last autumn!
And make sure to subscribe to the Collector's Circle newsletter on my website. You'll get a reward code to my Etsy shop when you confirm. :)

I'm heading out today to do a little fall shopping. (This girl needs some more closed toe shoes for the colder climate of the catacombs.) And I might pick up a few more things for our October tree.

What do you do to decorate and get in the mood for this season?

Let me know in the comments!

Happy Haunting!

Felt Hat Day, Some Magic, & The Little Piece of Purple Felt

September 15 marks the middle of the month that (cough cough wipes sweat) ushers in the brisk autumn air.

It is for that reason this day is chosen as Felt Hat Day.

Felt was once a very popular material for both men and women's hats, and the cooler weather made them the perfect fashion accessory. 

I adore felt hats, and even in Florida I wear mine every chance I get.

There's something magical about wool felt.

I don't know why or quite how to describe it.

It's warm and soothing. The wool is pliable, strong and forgiving. I prefer my felted hats big and a tad floppy, but I suppose for me, the magic of felt hats can be summed up 

 below;

Fleur Delacour et les élèves de Beauxbâtons.

(And ummm, can you guess how insane I am right now over the mere possibility of visiting l'Auberge Nicolas Flamel in a few weeks? It's getting ridiculous.

*update- Paris & Flamel's blew my mind.*)

Back to felt...

Since I can't quite put the magic into words, I painted it as part of my ongoing figurative series.

I sent an image of my work-in-progress and left the words to Quirine Dongelmans.

She came up with a lovely narrative that I think you'll really enjoy.

The perspective is particularly magical...

Rain and Renewal

My collaboration with "Q" a few weeks ago, see the post here,

was a fun change of pace for me. 

As it's been gray and rainy all day, I'm sharing another piece and poem created with the award winning writer, actor, film-maker, and now poet extraordinaire.

I won't go into details, but it's been a rough month. 

Her poem for this piece was especially poignant, and we had quite a bit to say and commiserate on regarding personal tribulations and the sometimes rocky paths an artist's life presents.

Excuse the use of a trite phrase, but we truly are soul surfers.

There can be a deluge of overwhelm, pain or loneliness at times, but for an artist there isn't really an alternative. Our vulnerability and openness, our fiery and sometimes easily bruised hearts, are what help us to flow with the emotional current we are supposed to ride. 

For eons the emotions have been tied to water.

It is also what heals and renews us.

Tears from the sky. Pouring. Pain. Sadness. Despair.

Water splashes. Diluting. Lifting. Giving life.

Mend your reflection; flourish.

~Quirine Dongelmans

Wow.

She really boiled it all down, didn't she?

I love her writing.

Visit Q's website to learn more about her & her art.

If you like my Rain Break painting, you can click here to see details without the text, 

or add it to your collection while it's in my DPW gallery. 

Thanks for stopping by to see the collab. 

Subscribe to the newsletter and send an email with your links if you're a writer that would like to submit to collaborate on the project.

What do you do when you're in the doldrums?

Here's to the rain & her renewal,

~D. Renée

Kidding Around

"Everyman can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends." Marcus Tullius Cicero

Today I started celebrating my best friend's day of birth by whipping up a hand-painted card featuring a few of his favorite things in one; animals- namely goats, baby goats, & skepticism of others' motives through the side eye expression. 

There's some gorgeous, artisan crafted, goat shaped soap (from Oil Patch Farm on Etsy) to accompany this card, don't worry. My gag gift giving game is still en pointe. 

Farm Animals/Goat Soap by Oil Patch Farm

(I wish I could've shown you a better photo b/c this soap it so detailed and pretty, but I couldn't unwrap a gift, y'know. He also said won't be using it, because he likes it too much! )

I'm a lucky lady to be married to someone that can poke fun at things most ppl take seriously. To all the Virgos ♍️, you're an intelligent, caring, and incredibly hard working special lot. May this year bring you the amazing rewards you deserve. :)

Do you make your own birthday cards?

Are silly and fun gifts your thing? 

Let me know in the comments!

Thanks for stopping by,

D. Renée

Tropical Storm Hermine ; Rainy Days Ahead

Possible tropical storm Hermine is headed our way this week.

I'm actually sort of excited about a storm named Hermine, a variant of Hermione! 

Total Potterhead over here. As long as she doesn't do much damage...

The governor has already issued a state of emergency for 42 counties, and ours is one of them.

We aren't overly concerned, but we'll be picking up extra water at the store and charging our portable device backup battery.

My biggest complaint is that I'm probably going to get some cabin fever.
I've already been stuck inside the past couple of days because I've been busy working.
I love yoga, but for real inspiration and rejuvenation
I need to hit the trails, whether walking, running, or biking.

I will be busy drawing and scanning the coloring printables rewards for my Patreon supporters, so that's good. I'll also have time to get some reading done.
I've taken advantage of this optimum electricity and internet time to make a rainy day treasury to get me in the mood for the onslaught of rain.
After all, the water levels of our swamps and bogs are really incredibly low for this time of year.
A heavy storm is actually a good thing.

To see these Rainy Day faves, on Etsy click here.

What do you do on rainy days?


Thanks for swinging by, 
and I hope you spend your doing all the rainy day things you love.

Announcements- Shooting Star Day & a Yay!

If you follow me on Instagram, you might already know that 

  

today was Shooting Star Day! 🌠

https://www.etsy.com/listing/461025402/shooting-star-colorful-watercolor

What's a rockhound to do on this happy Shooting Star Day?

 Pull out the meteorite fragments and paint a meteoroid inspired watercolor, of course. 

2- I'm very happy to say that I will be exhibiting my art in the 53rd annual Space Coast Art Festival this November, Thanksgiving weekend. 

Port Canaveral is very close to some of my favorite people, and the port is always fun on a holiday weekend.

I'm hoping the show turns out to be a great kickstart to the holiday season.

I have a few projects and vacation in between now and then, though. 

So I really have my work cut out for me.

I suppose my wish is that it all falls into perfect alignment, smoothly and full of bright spots, like the gorgeous night sky over the ocean after a long day at the shore.

To add this small shooting star to your collection, visit my Nouveau Niche shop.

What's your wish?