Newly Commissioned Painting, "In the Garden of Truth and Light"

Mr. D and I recently returned from a weekend in Las Vegas with some dear friends. While the boys were gambling, we girls went shopping in one of the totally outrageous and over-the-top (what else would you expect in LV?) malls they had there.  Amidst the high couture and garish lighting and fountains,we were captivated with these beautiful clusters of poppies that were blooming.  My friend Erin even mentioned that they reminded her of one of my paintings.  It was so random, but we just played the tourist card and snapped a few pics.

Believe it or not, a few days after our return I was commissioned by a Client to make a poppy painting.  

(Cue "Twilight Zone" music.)

Just goes to show if you are patient, listen, and have faith, you will find that the Universe is unfolding exactly as it should.

In the Garden of Truth and Light
24" x 24"
Acrylic and Mixed on Canvas
SOLD

This painting was made especially for a woman who truly comes to life when she is outside working in the garden. I light-heartedly refer to Cathy as a "plant artist". I wanted to create something that stayed within the confines of her request for a bright poppy painting, but also conveyed her own personal warmth and light.


I wrote a personal message to her on the back that read: "While spending time in the garden, you can fall into a deep meditation...one where you have complete identification with the earth.  At this higher conscious state, we realize that the light of love is all around us because it is a part of our divine nature."

The Young Housewife, by William Carlos Williams

"La Bella Vita"
Fine Art Prints available here.

The Young Housewife 

At ten AM the young housewife

moves about in negligee behind

the wooden walls of her husband's house.
I pass solitary in my car.

Then again she comes to the curb
to call the ice-man, fish-man, and stands
shy, uncorseted, tucking in
stray ends of hair, and I compare her
to a fallen leaf.

The noiseless wheels of my car
rush with a crackling sound over
dried leaves as I bow and pass smiling.

by William Carlos Williams

Love Grows

8" x 10"
Acrylic and Mixed on Canvas


“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.” - Albert Einstein


This new little painting is now on display at The Blues Jean Bar in Snider Plaza. I always love to be reminded that my outlook on life is a choice. Here's to choosing to live today like it's a miracle.

A Joyful Heart

12" x 12"
Acrylic and Mixed on Canvas
SOLD

This commissioned piece was ordered by a dear friend who wanted one more of my heart paintings to hang on her soon-to-arrive daughter's nursery wall. She is actually delivering tomorrow, so to say we were cutting it close is an understatement. She is going to add this one to a cluster of them in the nursery, and I can't wait to see how they all look together.

My original heart paintings have been quite popular since their feature on Daily Candy Dallas back in February, and I am always happy to create more.

I drew the inspiration for this one from Bob Dylan's "Forever Young". The lyrics to this song are collaged in the background under a layer of thick texture. I really can't think of a more perfect wish for a child from their parent, and I wanted this heart painting to be especially for Mrs. R's sweet baby girl.

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young,

Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young,

Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young,

Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

Today, I Wake Up and Love You

11" x 14"
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

This painting was commissioned by a dear friend's husband for her as a Mother's Day gift. First of all, kudos to any hubby with three young kids (including twins under one) who has the foresight to come up with such a thoughtful gift to his wife for Mother's Day. Mr. O gave me creative carte blanche, just asking that the painting be something that incportporates their three children and the love and admiration he has for his wife.

I wanted to create something that captured how beautiful Mrs. O is, both inside and out, and how full of life so I went with the floral theme. One song I always sing to my own kiddos is "Three Little Birds", by Bob Marley, so that's sort of wehre the birds came from...each one represents one of their little ones.

I also love the quote:
Life began with waking up and loving my mother's face.
- George Eliot, English novelist

This is kind of where I derived the title, but I wanted the title to convey something meaningful that could be said to each person in their family, including from a husband to a wife.

A Poem for Wednesday

Dance in the Sun
12" x 24"
Acrylic andMixed Media on Canvas
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38863596

Let it enfold you
by Charles Bukowski (excerpt)

either peace or happiness,
let it enfold you

when I was a young man
I felt these things were
dumb, unsophisticated.
I had bad blood, a twisted
mind, a precarious
upbringing.

I was hard as granite, I
leered at the
sun.
I trusted no man and
especially no
woman.

I was living a hell in
small rooms, I broke
things, smashed things,
walked through glass,
cursed.
I challenged everything,

I changed jobs and
cities, I hated holidays,
babies, history,
france, italy, walnuts and
the color
orange.

peace and happiness to me
were signs of
inferiority,
tenants of the weak
an
addled
mind.

but as I went on with
my alley fights,
my suicidal years,
my passage through
any number of
women — it gradually
began to occur to
me
that I wasn't different
from the
others, I was the same,

they were all fulsome
with hatred,
glossed over with petty
grievances,
the men I fought in
alleys had hearts of stone.
everybody was nudging,
inching, cheating for
some insignificant
advantage,
the lie was the
weapon and the
plot was
empty,
darkness was the
dictator.

cautiously, I allowed
myself to feel good
at times.
maybe the other life had worn me
down.
I no longer found
glamour
in topping somebody
in conversation.

I re formulated
I don't know when,
date, time, all
that
but the change
occurred.
something in me
relaxed, smoothed
out.
I no longer had to
prove that I was a
man,

I didn't have to prove
anything.

(the whole world is at the
throat of the world,
everybody feels angry,
short-changed, cheated,
everybody is despondent,
disillusioned)

I welcomed shots of
peace, tattered shards of
happiness.

(don't get me wrong,
there is such a thing as cockeyed optimism
that overlooks all
basic problems just for
the sake of
itself —
this is a shield and a
sickness.)

The knife got near my
throat again,
I almost turned on the
gas
again
but when the good
moments arrived
again
I didn't fight them off
like an alley
adversary.
I let them take me,
I luxuriated in them,
I bade them welcome
home.
I even looked into
the mirror
once having thought
myself to be
ugly,
I now liked what
I saw, almost
handsome, yes,
a bit ripped and
ragged,
scares, lumps,
odd turns,
but all in all,
not too bad,
almost handsome,
better at least than
some of those movie
star faces
like the cheeks of
a baby's
butt.

and finally I discovered
real feelings of
others,
unheralded,
like lately,
like this morning,
as I was leaving,
for the track,
I saw my wife in bed,
just the
shape of
her head there
so still,
I ached for her life,
just being there
under the
covers.

I kissed her in the,
forehead,
got down the stairway,
got outside,
got into my marvelous
car,
fixed the seatbelt,
backed out the
drive.
feeling warm to
the fingertips,
down to my
foot on the gas
pedal,
I entered the world
once
more,
drove down the
hill
past the houses
full and empty
of
people,
I saw the mailman,
honked,
he waved
back
at me.

Happiness is Smaller Than You Think

9" x 12" x 1.5"
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

I'm currently reading "Happy at Last: The Thinking Person's Guide to Finding Joy" by Richard O'Connor, Ph.D. Slowly but surely, I make it through a few pages every night before my eyes close from the sheer exhaustion of moving our household and raising three children under four. This book's philosophical approach to happiness and its message of being mindful is so simple, yet so easily forgotten. The author offers hope that we can somehow rewire our brains to be mindful, and by doing so experience a heightened state of happiness.

Although I feel so blessed to have the life and the family that I do, I am always restless, always searching for something. Does this mean I am unhappy? I don't think so, but I long for an inner peace that I feel often eludes me. Maybe it's just the chaotic state of life my right now, a season that will pass. I feel glimpses of the calm when I practice yoga, so I know it's there within reach. As an artist, I feel some of my most significant work has come out of painful or difficult experiences. Is it harder for me to be "happy" because I am genetically wired to find the difficulty in each situation that leads me to create, to process turmoil into my art? As I try to be more mindful and more present, I look at all the beauty in life, especially my children, and I can't help but smile as I watch them every day. To them, life is so simple, so full of wonder. I think they're onto something...

Valentine's Paintings Series

A Prayer in Spring
11" x 14"
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

This is the latest of my custom commissioned Valentine's painting series. A client selected the poem, "A Prayer in Spring", by Robert Frost, to be collaged into the background of her painting, as it has a very special meaning to her and her husband. She even chose to handwrite the verses herself which makes the painting that much more personal, a little piece of her heart that she's offering to her husband immortalized on the canvas.

I have had great success with this series and feel so happy to have created so many commissioned pieces over the past month and a half. It's kind of like my own artsy way of playing Cupid. Several paintings from my Valentine's series are available at Artisan Style Gallery Uptown. Brandon Lynch, one of the Owners, recently informed me that they are soon going to be featured in Daily Candy Dallas. Can't wait!

"For this is love and nothing else is love,
To which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends he will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill." Robert Frost

La Bella Vita

8" x 10" x 1.5"
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

"You are such a good boy. You sleep now. Dream sweet dreams. Maybe we are both dreaming." from the film, La Vita y Bella

In the midst of working on some larger paintings, I wanted to make something smaller and sweeter as I counted my blessings out in the studio. My beautiful son arrived last week and is healthy. Plus, he loves to sleep so the transition from two to three children has not been as rough as I was anticipating. As I recover from a difficult pregnancy, I am feeling more like myself and stronger every day. My family is together and complete and we have a wonderful support system of loving friends. My husband is a wonderful father and more help than I could have ever hoped for. My art is being shown in two different shows this month. Life is beautiful!

Dance in the Sun

12" x 24"
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

I thought I was done painting until after baby arrives on Thursday, but somehow this one just sort of finished itself. I think the excited energy of all the changes about to take place crept out through my fingertips and manifested itself in this vibrant image. I applied a thick layer of texture to the canvas and basically carved in the images before I painted them and then I added the paint.

This pregnancy has been so difficult, full of surprises and ups and downs. I feel so thankful I have my artwork to channel all of this tension. The past six months or so I have taken the term "art therapy" to a whole new level.

I'm making a CD to listen to when baby is arriving, and this song will definitely be on it: "Dancing Nancies" by DMB

Sing and dance I'll play for you tonight
And thrill at it all
Dark clouds may hang on me sometimes
But I'll work it out then I

Look up at the sky
My mouth is open wide, lick and taste
What's the use in worrying, what's the use in hurrying
Turn, turn we almost become dizzy

Happy Words from a Collector

Love is the Answer
8" x 10" x 1.5"
SOLD

"Gina, the painting is fantastic! I love the textures in it. I will have to find the perfect spot--in our apartment in the Irish Channel! I'll have to send you a picture when the painting has a little home. Thank you so much for creating it. It's amazing how a little bit of paint on a canvas can bring so much joy. Good luck with the rest of your paintings...I love the colors in your newest pieces!"
Margaret Peters, Metairie, LA

I love hearing happy words from people who buy my art! Marg purchased one from my current Valentine's series. Many paintings and velvet giclee prints are still available through Etsy as well as at Artisan Style Gallery Uptown.

This Valentine's Day, I invite you to ignore all the commercial marketing of the season and select a truly personal gift--an original painting--that expresses your genuine affection. I have started early this year creating a series of artwork which especially fits this occasion, paintings that come straight from the heart and illustrate love in its purest, most organic sense.

These paintings are created using acrylic and mixed media, and each one has a particular love story, song or sentiment which inspired it. Paintings are highly textured, containing multiple layers of handwritten love letters, parchment paper and mixed media collage. They are fully wired and painted on all sides so there is no need to frame.

We Belong Together

11" x 14"
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

This painting is a continuation of my Valentine's series. It was inspired by one of my all-time favorite love songs, Edwin McCain's "I'll Be". I love how listening to a special song can be like stepping into a time machine that takes you right back to a significant moment.

The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
And emeralds from mountains thrust towards the sky
Never revealing their depth

And tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

And I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love suicide
And I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

And rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
And you're my survival, you're my living proof
My love is alive, and not dead

And tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love.
I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

And I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I`ll be love suicide
And I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

And I dropped out, I burned up, I fought my way back from the dead,
I tuned in, I turned on, remembered the thing that you said.

And I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love suicide
And I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

This Valentine's Day, I invite you to ignore all the commercial marketing of the season and select a truly personal gift--an original painting--that expresses your genuine affection. I have started early this year creating a series of artwork which especially fits this occasion, paintings that come straight from the heart and illustrate love in its purest, most organic sense.

These paintings are created using acrylic and mixed media, and each one has a particular love story, song or sentiment which inspired it. Paintings are highly textured, containing multiple layers of handwritten love letters, parchment paper and mixed media collage. They are fully wired and painted on all sides so there is no need to frame.

I am also able to create custom commission works featuring any personal handwritten notes, love letters, or lyrics to special songs that you would like to present to your loved one in a truly unique way, as long as you place your order to me by January 15.

©2009 Gina Marie Dunn

Free delivery in Dallas.

You and Me

11" x 14"
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

This painting is a continuation of my Valentine's series. I love the Dave Matthews Song, "You and Me". It's one of the few love songs that I can think of that talks about loving your spouse AND your children. It always makes me think of my sweet husband, who is so supportive of my artistic endeavors and helpful with our growing family. We both know that one day the kids will be older and life won't be quite so hectic, and we try to enjoy these days when everyone is so small while at the same time looking forward to our family growing up together. He also knows that if I don't get out into the studio to paint I just don't have a "balanced" day and I love him so much for recognizing that.

Wanna pack your bags, Something small
Take what you need and we disappear
Without a trace we'll be gone, gone
The moon and the stars can follow the car
and then when we get to the ocean
We gonna take a boat to the end of the world
All the way to the end of the world

Oh, and when the kids are old enough
We're gonna teach them to fly

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby
You and me together yes, yes

You and I, we're not tied to the ground
Not falling but rising like rolling around
Eyes closed above the rooftops
Eyes closed, we're gonna spin through the stars
Our arms wide as the sky
We gonna ride the blue all the way to the end of the world
To the end of the world

We can always look back at what we did
All these memories of you and me baby
But right now it's you and me forever girl
And you know we could do better than anything that we did
You know that you and me, we could do anything

Til Kingdom Come

12" x 12"
Watercolor and Mixed Media on Paper

Here is a continuation of my Valentine's Day Series. Listening to comforting music is essential when I'm working in the studio, and this little watercolor just sort of poured out of me while Coldplay was playing. It was almost like the song was working through me...I love when that happens.

Til Kingdom Come, Coldplay

Still my heart and hold my tongue
I feel my time , My time has come
Let me in, Unlock the door
I never felt this way before

And the wheel just keeps on turning
The drummer begins to drum
I don’t know which way I’m going
I don’t know which way I’ve come

Hold my head inside your hands
I need someone who understands
I need someone, someone who hears
For you I’ve waited all these years

For you I’d wait 'til kingdom come
Until my day, my day is done
And say you'll come and set me free
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me

In your tears and in your blood
In your fire and in your flood
I hear you laugh, I heard you sing
I wouldn’t change a single thing

For you I’d wait 'til kingdom come
Until my days, my days are done
And say you'll come and set me free
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me

Beautiful Soul

11" x 14"
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Gallery-Wrapped Canvas

"Love is the beauty of the soul." St. Augustine

This painting is one of my series of Valentine's Day-inspired abstract poppies/hearts.

This Valentine's Day, I invite you to ignore all the commercial marketing of the season and select a truly personal gift--an original painting--that expresses your genuine affection. I have started early this year creating a series of artwork which especially fits this occasion, paintings that come straight from the heart and illustrate love in its purest, most organic sense.

Paintings are highly textured, containing multiple layers of handwritten love letters, parchment paper and mixed media collage. They are fully wired and painted on all sides so there is no need to frame.

I am also able to create custom commission works featuring any personal handwritten notes, love letters, or lyrics to special songs that you would like to present to your loved one in a truly unique way, as long as you place your order to me by January 15.

I have several in stock, please email me or visit my website to see more pictures.

web.mac.com/utopiapkwy

Original Valentine's Painting Series

Dear Friends,

This Valentine's Day, I invite you to ignore all the commercial marketing of the season and select a truly personal gift--an original painting--that expresses your genuine affection. I have started early this year creating a series of artwork which especially fits this occasion, paintings that come straight from the heart and illustrate love in its purest, most organic sense.

These paintings are created using acrylic and mixed media, and each one has a particular love story, song or sentiment which inspired it. Paintings are highly textured, containing multiple layers of handwritten love letters, parchment paper and mixed media collage. They are fully wired and painted on all sides so there is no need to frame.

I am also able to create custom commission works featuring any personal handwritten notes, love letters, or lyrics to special songs that you would like to present to your loved one in a truly unique way, as long as you place your order to me by January 15.

I have several in stock, please email me or visit my website to see more pictures. This week I will be featuring each painting with a detailed description on the blog.

Sizes range from 8" x 8" to 11" x 14". My hope is for these paintings to be affordable gifts, so they are priced between $75 and $125. Original 8" x 10" or 10" x 10" velvet giclee prints are also available for $30.

For more details or to purchase, please contact me at utopiapkwyarts@yahoo.com. Thank you for looking!

These Small Hours

16" x 20" x 1.5"
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas
SOLD
Velvet giclee prints of this and all my original artworks are available.

I wanted to capture these flowers in a fresh light and try a different color scheme than the current bold and bright palette I've been using. Because this painting seems calmer to me, it makes me think of quiet moments. I love working out in the studio, spending peaceful time with my unborn son. In three weeks he will be with us and life will change forever. But for now, I am treasuring these last few days of my pregnancy and enjoying the opportunity to spend these small hours with him.

This is my last painting of 2009. I look forward to what 2010 will bring. Happy New Year, and many blessings to you and yours!

"These Small Hours", Rob Thomas
Let it go,
Let it roll right off your shoulder
Don't you know
The hardest part is over
Let it in,
Let your clarity define you
In the end
We will only just remember how it feels

Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders,
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away,
But these small hours,
These small hours still remain

Let it slide,
Let your troubles fall behind you
Let it shine
Until you feel it all around you
And i don't mind
If it's me you need to turn to
We'll get by,
It's the heart that really matters in the end

All of my regret
Will wash away some how
But i can not forget
The way i feel right now

Follow Me Home

12" x 12"
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

"Just living is not enough," said the little bird, "One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." Hans Christian Anderson

I enjoyed adding birds to my poppy "surrealscape". I think they will be making some repeat appearances.

Love is the Answer

8" x 10" x 1.5"
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Gallery-Wrapped Canvas
SOLD
Velvet giclee prints of this and all my original artworks are available.

I was working on a looser style of poppies in this painting, and I love how when my sister took a look at this she saw the poppies as hearts. My family and I were listening to one of my favorite Jack Johnson songs, "Better Together", the evening I finished this painting. My favorite line from the song is, "Love is the answer at least for most of the questions in my heart," which is where the title of the painting comes from. That song always reminds me of my sweet husband, who told me he really liked this new work. I think this painting is going to make a perfect Valentine for somebody.


There's no combination of words
I could put on the back of a postcard,
No song that I could sing
But I can try for your heart,
Our dreams, and they are made out of real things,
Like a shoebox of photographs,
With sepia tone loving,
Love is the answer
At least for most of the questions in my heart ,
Like why are we here? And where do we go?
And how come it's so hard?
It's not always easy,
And sometimes life can be deceiving,
I'll tell you one thing, its always better when we're together

MMM, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, we'll look at the stars when we're together
Yeah, it's always better when we're together

I believe in memories
They look so, so pretty when I sleep
Hey now, and when I wake up,
You look so pretty sleeping next to me
But there is not enough time,
And there is no, no song I could sing
And there is no combination of words I could say
But I will still tell you one thing,
We're better together

Fortune's Flowers

16" x 20" x 1.5"
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Gallery-Wrapped Canvas

This painting got its name because tucked inside its many layers and rich texture are a bunch of fortunes I have been saving up from Chinese take-out meals gone by. I love opening up my fortune cookie after eating Chinese; it's a ritual that's almost as good as the meal itself. I hate to throw them away, so I've been collecting them in the studio with the hopes that inspiration would strike, and lo and behold, it did.

My friend Lara saw this painting and commented, "Gina, I think it's so cool how your work went from so brooding to so joyful as you get further along in your pregnancy (maybe a coincidence, but I am all about this fetus-as-muse theory!)." I totally agree with her. As the prognosis for my son gets more and more positive, so does the tone of my artwork. Even though it's hard to walk these days, moving around comfortably is a joke and my clothes don't fit, I am so overjoyed that in a few weeks we will get to take our son home from the hospital that I want to paint flowers for everyone!