On the first day of Christmas...

 Okay, okay, so technically the 12 days of Christmas happen after Christmas, but that wouldn't really be as fun for you guys, and the build up helps you get in the spirit. 

 Fun fact, the gifts in the song seem super weird because they are actually symbols for the tenets of Christianity. The "true love" is representative of the Judeo-Christian god, and a partridge was chosen because this bird displays a behavior to protect its young wherein it will lure predators away from the nest and go so far as to feign injury to keep any threat away. 

Man, I love birds. Nature is so cool.

 The printable page of the line drawing is available to download on my Patreon page for supporters at the $10 level. It can be used for coloring, wrapping paper, or various small pet bedding when properly shredded. Printed at a very small scale, they may enjoy the artwork, too.

 Not into coloring or supporting independent artists monetarily? That's cool. Interject your new carol knowledge at the office party to make people uncomfortable when they thought they were singing strictly secular songs. 

 FYI- the Cyber week sale has ended and the extra Patron codes have expired, but as an extra thanks during the holidays, there is a 30% off code for $10 Patrons on the Patreon page with the Partridge download. 

 Thanks again for stopping by!

See you birds soon,

D. Renée

Gemini Journey

Gemini and some Cosmic Communication

(to see a bigger view-visit Gemini Journey; Pollux Pleads in my shop.)

Wowza. It's June already.  It's also already pretty hot here in Florida.

The heat has me a bit spaced out and that's totally fitting since I got a request to make this month's Patron rewards theme "something cosmic".

 With no more cosmic specificity than that, I chose the May/June sign of Gemini and melded astronomy and astrology into one, because that's how Gemini floats. The air sign has a unique mythology and history behind it. I TIED IT ALL IN, there's a lot to unpack, but I'll try to be brief.

The gemini (Latin for twins) Pollux and Castor are the namesake of the stars in their constellation. To make a long story short,  Queen Leda, the mother of the infamous Helen - was seduced by Zeus/Jupiter in the form of, wait for it, a swan, and became pregnant. In the same night, she was also made pregnant by her husband, Tyndareus the King of Sparta, hence the twins. One was immortal- Pollux, one was not- Castor. These twins were super tight, fought in the Trojan War, had major adventures, and when Castor finally died, Pollux couldn't handle it. He went to dad (Zeus/Jupiter) and begged him to do something.  He did. He made them both immortal, flinging them into the sky to shine as stars, forever and ever, (well you know) and that's the happy shiny ending.

(Click here to see rewards for $10+ Patrons- )

 Geminis are ruled by "air" making them a thinking yet very chatty bunch, and that chatty part is in tune with the next connection- Mercury. 

Hermes, or Mercury, was the god in charge of messages. To the gods, between gods, between gods and mortals, between mortals and the dead (he also took the dead to the underworld/Pluto-that's coming up) you get the idea.

 Okay, I mentioned Mercury/Hermes and communication. Mercury got his moniker as the quicksilver messenger with winged feet because Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun. This makes its orbit much faster, hence the speedy association. Messengers need speed, hence communication was probably just a natural trait to ascribe to this planet. So, as DMB would say- Sa-te-lliiiiiiiiiiite. Find the Astronaut. In the second, I just put together a nifty mandala of the stations of Saturn with some fun doodles and comet thingys. Lots of artistic license in that one, but the planets positioning in the Gemini Journey printable ($10+ ink line drawing, $20+ reward print download ) was fairly accurate as of a few days ago, so think about the symbolism in twins positioning, Pluto & Jupiter. What do you see? What does it say to you?  Talk to me about it!  

• $5+ Patrons click here      $1 Patrons click here

Okay- this month also couched RN week! Yay, nurses!!! I love you, we all love you! Thank you. <3 I'm sure you've all seen the caduceus on some nursing stuff. It's a staff with two snakes wrapped around it. Here's the fun part- it's not actually the symbol for healing, that would be the staff of Asclepius, which is one snake wrapped around a staff. The caduceus is actually Mercury's/Hermes' staff, and is a symbol for merchants, commerce, and communication/messengers. However, snakes are super symbolic of healing because of their regenerative powers, and nurses are very much the intermediaries between life and death (Hermes and Hades!) so that makes the caduceus an entirely appropriate symbol. Boom. Caduceus away, nurses. One of the repeat patterns is a caduceus. Do with it as you will.

 The second repeat pattern is about cosmic communication on a much larger scale. Om . The sound of cosmic creation, but, ummmmm, more meta? All that is, was, or ever will be. It's nebulous yet simple. It's also relaxing to hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

So that's the story behind this month's rewards! Stay tuned to the next few Patron only posts  over on Patreon for your downloads and let me know if you have questions.

This is a communication themed month, so please let me know how you're doing, or just say hi.   :)

Email me, hit me up on insta  or facebook .

As always, thank you so very much to my Patreon Patrons for their support. I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart, even though I'm floating and I don't quite know which way is up or down...

In gratitude,

D. Renée

Flamingo Friday

I've obviously been on a flamingo roll lately.

I'm a bird lover, but these tropical beauties are unique, and I really like unique.

They stand out. They are elegant and really specialized for their environment.

The printable July rewards for my Patreon Patrons followed suit.

You can get them by pledging support on my Patreon page, or swing by my Etsy shop and get an instant  download, easy peasy.

Speaking of Etsy, 

I put together a lil' flock of fabulous pink things for Flamingo Friday. 

I've also listed another of the small watercolor flamingo studies on Daily Paintworks.

These auctions give collectors and artists a chance to add a small originals to their collections at an affordable price. :)
Click to see more or Bid

Thanks for stopping by the blog.

Don't be afraid to stand out.
Stay flamboyant,
stay weird,

April showers bring...

I'm busy as bee putting the final touches on paintings and framing work for the Mayfaire show this weekend in Lakeland, but I have created the first four printables for my Patreon Patrons.

May is full of flowers, and a few bees! 

These downloads are free for Patrons, and they will be available in my Etsy shop sometime in the next week or two.  

Now, I've got to get back in the studio! 

There's lots of work to bee done. ;)

A queso fountain and Freebie Friday

It's Friiiiyaaaaayyy!

I was traveling last Friday, so I am a week late getting this freebie up on the blog.

(Today's freebie is on my Patreon page!)

This week has flown by, and I'm glad it's the weekend-

but it can't compare to last weekend.

I got to visit my old home of Tybee Island, GA, and one of my oldest friends from SCAD.

A true "seeester" during my days romping around on one of prettiest, and quirkiest, places on the planet.

The affair was graciously held at the astonishing Drazek abode.

Keith & Jen are the owners of Latitude 32. My personal favorite place to shop on Tybee. Super nice people, great apparel, and the bride designed the company logo!

My friend Kelley was a gorgeous bride, and she really deserves her own post, but I'm actually happy to say that I didn't take many photos after the wedding began.

I was really enjoying myself, and I was sans phone most of the weekend.
The photographer, Travis Sayre, was doing a much better job than any of us amateurs could, anyway.

  I do wish I could have gotten pics of the flowers, though! My god, they were gorgeous! I showed up a bit early to help with any extra loose ends before the ceremony, and I got to help put the arrangements on tables. Unbelievably pretty. Two close friends of Kelley's (and also super awesome people!) are amazing floral designers and flew in to do the wedding.
Andrew Zellmer and Sarah Rheaume of Bowerbird Atelier.
The wind was seriously kicking and they still made it work. It was like a fairy tale.

The Sunday Bloody Mary bar brunch at Marlin Monroe's 
softened the blow of the open bar reception and The Wind Rose Cafe after party.
(Yes, the after party; the bride insisted.
The bar where the couple met was having its 20th anniversary.
No one refuses the bride!)

Best wedding favor in the universe!

Marlin Monroe's is where my husband and I had our wedding reception five years ago after our beach wedding,
 so it was really nice to reminisce and walk the beach before brunch.

Brunch wasn't the end of the parties, there were still more beach houses and friends to visit.
Sunday Funday may have originated on Tybee. I'm just sayin'; they were living it there well before hashtags.

Monday was a day for Husboo and I to stroll around Savannah, shop, eat, visit a couple more friends, and pick up art supplies. (I especially miss that part of living in an art college town.)

It was a fabulous trip full of friends and fun,

but you really do need to see the magic that is the queso fountain. I did shoot a quick video of that, because I knew the bride was super excited about it. I mean, yeah. 

  Check my Instagram to be mesmerized.

I'm so very happy that one of the most beautiful, fun, and unique souls I know has found a partner that appreciates and cherishes her like she deserves to be.

Ahhhhhh. I love love.

Okay- back to life. Back to reality.
Back to work.
BUT-
I love my patreon Patrons, too!

Here's a little sampling of the April rewards 

posted, so far...

Click here to get to the FREE download.

I'll be getting artwork ready for the Mayfaire show this month, 

so there won't be any more freebie downloads in April, just download rewards for Patrons only posts, and today's freebie will switch to Patron only soon.

Thanks for swinging by.

Have a great weekend, Beautiful!

I think we might just take it easy...

Left or Right on Freebie Friday

Happy Fri-yay!

I hope you're having a fantastic one, so far.

I've kind of had it with opinions on social media as of late, and I've been steering clear of my personal Facebook newsfeed for the most part. (I'm on my art page and ig, and though.)
The day after a debate is like a port-a-potty after a music festival. No thanks.

But I'd love to hear what your left or right preference is when it comes to adult coloring pages.

Care to give your opinion on 

which one of these coloring downloads you might prefer for print-at-home coloring?

 #1 or #2 ?

This particular design is pretty intricate and has a lot of symbolism, but I'll leave that unpacking for a later post.

When it comes to coloring, do you prefer the option to shade yourself, or do you like dark linework?

The dark lines of the original also leave patrons with the options of simply printing the artwork to hang if they wish, so there's that.

Let me know- left or right?
#1 or #2

It's #freebiefriday for patrons and I'm getting all the downloads together for the reward post.

Thanks so much for your opinions ;-)

Have a wonderful weekend, and try to stay sane out there.

5 New Coloring Page Downloads for Patrons

Pop on over to my Patreon page to see my thoughts on New Year resolutions

and a preview of the latest free coloring printables for pledge supporters. 

Art inspired by a collector

To add the original drawing to your collection, contact me,

or click here.

This line drawing portrait was inspired by a very special art collector of mine.

It is a personality, or soul, portrait of sorts. This woman has not only shown tremendous transformation and grace through many hardships and trials, but she is also a source of continuous inspiration and compassion for others. 

She is a very hard working and loving mother, runner, and hospice nurse, among many other things. 

 I hoped to seamlessly interweave the beauty of the butterflies and flowers around her kind smile in this drawing.

I created this ink drawing with the intent of making it also available as a coloring page, because this particular collector is also a supporter of my Patreon project.

Visit my Patreon page to learn more about the perks of becoming a patron,

like free downloads for coloring printables, discounts in my Etsy shop and on custom artwork, giveaways, and more.

If you'd like a coloring page printable of Butterfly Runner today, you can visit my Etsy shop. 

I'm still taking a few more holiday orders, so get yours in if you'd like to commission a 

coloring page portrait of your own.

You can contact me today about custom artwork

by clicking HERE.

P.S.

To get some daily motivation and inspiration, I suggest you checkout 

Butterfly Runner on Facebook!

It's coming. Just breathe.

The idea that busyness = importance, or even necessity, is one that can rob us of 

health and happiness.

We can become so involved in doing that we forget to be.

I am a firm believer that we are human beings, not human doings.

With the upcoming holiday season, all of us are probably feeling some sort of impending busyness.

The pressure to do more, buy that, be there, etcetera.

Presence is the greatest gift of all, especially to yourself.

You cannot give to others if you are depleted.

This is a reminder to breathe.

Finding moments of stillness and focusing on our breath activates the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS).

This is the part of your brain stem that tells your heart to slow down, 

your muscles to relax, dilates blood vessels

and generally makes your mind and body knock it the f@#* off.

It can be tough to focus solely on breath if you're truly stressed and have little experience with a seated meditation practice.

Gentle yoga or tai chi is a good way to work in a moving meditation that focuses on breath. 

This way, you are distracted with moving postures and have less mental space to wander.

And while I do not join the throngs that tout coloring to be certified "art therapy",

 psychologists have found coloring to be calming and self-soothing for adult colorists.

This is probably due to the relaxation brought on by the repetitive motion and slowed, deepened breath of those in the studies.  

Or you could just go outside and see what you can find in the clouds. It works for me every time, and I usually get inspired to paint, draw something, or get a really nice chuckle. 

And we all know laughter is the best medicine of all. 

Breathe in freely.

Know that you are supported by life.

Most importantly, let it go. 

Exhale.

You don't have to hold on to that breath. 

There's another right there, just waiting to nourish you,

but it can't if you still have lungs full of stale, old air.

So seriously, just breathe.

The Hunter's Moon & Owl Coloring Page

Here's another page for October Patrons just in time for the full moon!

This month's moon is actually called the Hunter's Moon in many native American traditions. 

I've included one of my favorite birds of prey, inspired by the small and adorable desert owls I saw in California (but with some creepy, fall flair).

 This instant download printable is free for my Patreon $5+ supporters. Sign up now, and you'll be able to download and print this one and all of the other October rewards for the rest of the month. Patrons also get discount codes to my Etsy shop and will be entered for giveaways next month, right in time for holiday gift giving! Print out your free coloring pages and find me on instagram to show me how you colored them. I'd love to see your colorful & creative interpretations. :)

Are you an owl lover, too?
What animals do you hope to see during the full October moon?
Leave a comment and let me know. :)

Freebie Friday Coloring Page

It's #FreebieFriday !!!!!

 I have a free coloring page instant download on my Patreon site for anyone that would like to print it at home. :D 

Click here to visit my Patreon page  and get your printable pdf. Easy peasy! 

You can visit my website  or Etsy shop to see my other currently available digital downloads.

(And being a Patreon supporter gets you discounts as well as freebies every month! ;) )

Have a fantastic weekend!

Freebie Friday; Coloring Page Download

Patron Reward Download

Here's another Patreon supporter reward!

This one is pretty intricate. Here's an example of the scale next to prismacolor pencils.

Patron reward free download.

Click here to learn more about my Patreon page  and the rewards.

You can visit my website  or Etsy shop to see my currently available digital downloads.

(And being a Patreon supporter gets you discounts! ;) )

Have a fantastic weekend!

Mandala Coloring Page; Patron Reward Freebie

Free printable coloring pages and more rewards for Patreon patrons.

Just click here to learn more about my Patreon page  and the rewards.

You can visit my website  or Etsy shop to see my currently available digital downloads.

(And being a Patreon supporter gets you discounts and free downloads! ;) )

September Coloring Page Freebie #1

 Autumn leaves coloring page pattern, Patreon supporters reward #1 for September.

  Just click here to learn more about my Patreon page  and the rewards.

You can visit my website  or Etsy shop to see my currently available digital downloads.

(And being a Patreon supporter gets you discounts! ;) )