Category Archives: artsy stuff

druthers

artsy stuff, classes, life as an artist, My Art
seascape_ajai
20×16 demo painting for classes I teach. took about an hour to get this far

So in between answering questions about where to find floral supplies and where to sign up for classes, I painted this in about an hour. I didn’t look at any picture other than the ones in my head. I see so many pictures in my head all the time…

I find excuses when there should only be reasons…reasons why I should be creating NOW not “when I get the time…” I’m always “working” on something that isn’t what I want to be doing so much as what I feel I should be working on to make other people happy.

If I could have my “druthers” as my grandma would say…I druther be paintin’ than cleanin’ and I druther be sculptin’ than cookin’…

Ahhh…to live and balance the life of wife, caretaker, mother, grandmother, self appointed fixit queen, authoritarian bitch and artist all rolled into one perfectly f*cked up package…this is the life my friends…today…I say F*CK the dishes…I’m gonna PAINT!

death becomes her

artsy stuff, life as an artist, My Art

mom5-15-14_ajai mominprogress5-15-14_ajai

Sitting in the emergency room waiting for tests and results
waiting for the words to find me… without finding faults
finding the courage to face what I see
remembering the days that used to be
old, wrinkled, covered in pain
the thoughts of nature and slow falling rain
“I hate Mother Nature…she’s chipping away at my heart”
said mom as she whispered her fear of the dark
fate has a way of teaching us to grow
learn to know what your spirit must sow
falter not…bring haste to fate
so she will not linger in hate
bring her peace…let her heart be calm
let her feel the nature of your song
she will learn at her own pace
grant her peace and grace…
I love you mom…
-Ajai

Artist Statement

artist statement, artsy stuff, Dreams, life as an artist, My Art

artiststatement_ajai

As an artist, you have to have an “Artists Statement” that says something about who you are and what your art is about…here’s mine…

The artistic and creative force is within each of us…I just let it out when it scratches at the door…

I’ve often told others that my hands are guided by something other than myself. I do not create images, they find me in my dreams and on my quests for knowledge and journeys through life. These images manifest via mind and spirit taking over matter and medium and encouraging it to rise to a higher expression. I am merely an active participant in the process.

I have learned to recognize from a collection of possibilities what resonates most strongly with my dreams and personal vision and choose to pursue images and projects that reflect the expression of my soul.

I have a thirst for knowledge and a desire and ability to work with diverse individuals and groups to attain a common goal. My talents range from painting both large and small scale landscapes and portraits to digital photography, sculpture, video, web design, interactive installations and multimedia as well as mixed-media. I am personable, punctual and responsible as well as creative, talented and skilled.

What was once a long journey through tall grass and muddy water has become a short drive to the local watering hole…I look forward to this journey.

Dani E. Day –aka- Ajai

 

Surfs up!

artsy stuff, life as an artist, My Art

wave_ajai

I’m so glad I broke my toe! I was sitting around with ice on my foot, moaning to folks on facebook about my booboo when I decided to take advantage of the moment of down time to do a little painting…I wanted to do something I haven’t done before…something…of somewhere I’d like to be…it took about an hour and I didn’t think about my foot the entire time! I think this could be fun to play with.  Maybe next time I’ll throw in some rocks and a few more waves…

I think I want to try some more seascapes and see what I can come up with…I’ll post them…