#CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--MEET ROMANCE AUTHOR, ARTIST, AND CRAFTER DARLENE FREDETTE

Today we welcome Darlene Fredette to the blog. Darlene resides on the Atlantic Coast of Canada where the summers are too short, and the winters are too long. She writes contemporary romances with a focus on plot-driven page-turners. When not working on her next book, she can be found hanging out with her husband, her daughter, and her yellow Labrador. Learn more about Darlene and her books at her website and blog. 

An Artist at Heart

I’ve always been a crafter, from painting free-hand and ceramics, to needlepoint and cross stitch, diamond art beading, and pencil sketches. While I pencil sketch a picture once a week for my daughter and have a diamond art beading project started but not finished, I haven’t done other crafts in a long while.

 

During visits to see my aunt, who lives in a small town nestled on the Atlantic Ocean, we take walks along the beach to find sea glass. I wanted to design a sea glass project from all the little treasures I’ve found. I checked online for inspiration and came across an artist who works with sea glass. In one of her projects, she incorporated acrylic paint. I’ve always loved painting and the pouring technique piqued my interested, which led to following several painting artists.

 

I decided to haul out my paints and give painting a try. My first couple of paintings weren’t too bad, but I knew I could do better. I hadn’t painted in years, so I was a little rusty. I received plenty of painting supplies for Christmas and all I needed was an idea. My husband requested a painting design with The Rollings Stones tongue. I was thrilled with the result, as was my husband who requested another design.

 

Since then, I’ve done several more paintings, and I’m getting better with each one. There are many different elements to use instead of a paint brush, and I’ve already tried balloons, chains, and bubble wrap. My Daisy Balloon Burst is one of my favourites. Today, I finished another painting using red, pink, and white for the background and I painted a deep red heart on top. This painting will go on our front door for the next two weeks.

 

I have many designs I want to try, such as a themed series of fire and water, and earth and outer space, as well as a skull with a spooky background. The painting project ideas I have are endless!

 

I am happy to have rediscovered my love of painting, and while I may not consider myself an artist, I have been told by many that the title is appropriate.

 

If you want to check out more of my paintings and pencil drawings visit my website or blog.

 

Finding Home Again

A Redford Falls Novel, Book 5

A missing dog, a potential poisoning, and a suspicious death. Will Jordan and Logan find their happy-ever-after before another mysterious accident occurs?

 

Caretaker of a historical home, Jordan McKenzie, promised to keep a secret, but doing so gets harder by the minute, especially when an innocent kiss misses its intended target. Entangled in a web of mysterious mishaps, she discovers a surprising family connection. Is putting her trust in her boss' handsome nephew a risk worth taking?

 

Chef Logan Crane returns to Redford Falls hoping to claim an inheritance to open a restaurant, but he side-lines his plan after meeting Jordan. When past secrets intermingle with a present attraction, will Logan open his heart to the possibility of a future in Redford Falls…and with Jordan?

 

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#CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--AUTHOR LOIS WINSTON TALKS ABOUT ART BEING IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

There’s an old maxim that “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” The same can be said of art. When I was in college, I attended many Manhattan gallery openings. Some were beyond absurd, as far as I was concerned, like the one consisting of a piece of masking tape running down the center of the wooden floor of one room. Nothing else. To me, this was a case of the emperor having no clothes, but the gallery owner obviously thought it was an excellent example of minimalist art.

One exhibit I attended consisted of large squares of mirror placed on the gallery floor. The mirrors were then hammered and the glass left on the floor in its fractured state. A mound of dirt was then dumped onto the glass.

Was it art? I didn’t think so, but maybe I’m wrong, given that one of the objects of art is to evoke emotional reaction in the observer. I certainly reacted to the pieces, even though my reactions were decidedly negative. 

Maybe that’s why the curator at the Philadelphia Museum of Art purchased one of those broken mirror and dirt piles for the museum—to evoke emotion, whether positive or negative. I couldn’t find a photo of that “sculpture,” but the photo above is another by the artist from a different series where he didn’t first break the mirrors.

Recently my husband and I took a cruise to New England and Canada. Anastasia wrote about it in a post last month.

This particular ship featured framed artwork in many of their elevators. It’s unusual to find artwork in elevators. Most of the time people stand awkwardly facing forward, avoiding eye contact—not to mention conversation—with the strangers occupying the remainder of the limited floor space. However, the artwork in these elevators definitely got my fellow cruisers talking—and laughing.

I’ve always enjoyed the whimsical and comical, whether in art or music or literature. Maybe that's why I write humorous amateur sleuth mysteries with characters who are a bit outside the box. 

Anyway, these altered images of animals were definitely whimsical. Is it art? I’m voting yes on these, but it’s really up to each of us to decide.

Meanwhile, they'll probably show up in one of Anastasia's future adventures. I wonder what she'll think of that!

#CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--WHAT'S YOUR TYPE (FONT)?

When I was in art school, I took typography courses. Merriam-Webster defines typography as “the style, arrangement, or appearance of typeset matter.” Typography is an art form that uses letters rather than images to convey a message. In class we learned how to choose the perfect font to best partner with our designs to enhance them. Marie Miguel, our guest today, talks about the psychology behind font choices in today’s digital world.

What Your Choice of Font Says About Your Personality (and How This Influences How Others Perceive You)

Aside from a few people with fairly specialized interests, the art of calligraphy is more often admired than practiced these days. Graphology – the study of handwriting – is still used forensically to determine things like whether or not a particular person wrote something or other by hand and what their state of mind might have been, but the idea that a person's psyche can be analyzed through how they shape their P's and Q's has pretty much been debunked with anyone who knows anything about psychology.

In modern times, though, what used to be called penmanship has been replaced by the ability to write in paragraphs, ‘nt abrvt wrds’ unnecessarily, and generally FORMAT AN EMAIL as if your age is in the double-figure range. Part of this means the font you choose, which may seem trivial while you're actually composing a message but can indeed influence the amount of interest and credence you can expect from editors, customer service reps, potential employers and even your mom.

Times New Roman

If you would like nothing less than to stand out from the crowd, use TNR. It's traditional, but also not the easiest to read nor the most stylish – regardless of whether “style” means either something more minimalistic or ornate to you. Using this font basically says to the world that you either don't know how to change the word processor's default, or you just don't care enough to do so, or you're over sixty.

Comic Sans

Used exclusively for children's birthday party invitations. Ignored in all other contexts. Can you imagine an unsolicited manuscript in this font ever being read? There's a first time for everything, but we're not holding our breath.

Arial

Reading a message written in this font gives the idea that the writer probably loves Notepad++, writes in block letters rather than cursive and compiles lists alphabetically. With Arial, the message is the meaning, with no added flair or color.

Cambria

Not as bare-bones simple as Arial yet not as pointlessly ornate as some serif fonts, Cambria has character while still remaining readable and classy. It may be nothing special, but it's rarely the wrong choice, which is probably why it's the default font in Microsoft Word.

Helvetica

In many ways, this font is a suitable go-to option unless you want to express some special kind of emotion. It's clean, cool and easy to read without looking quite as sparse as something like Courier or Arial. While the “best” font will always be a matter of opinion, using Helvetica suggests that you are serious without being stodgy.

Rockwell
Occasionally, a writer really wants to make a point. One of the ways of doing so is to use a lesser known font, forcing the reader to slow down a little and reset their mental preconceptions. While Rockwell isn't all that suited for everyday use, a message in this font takes a little longer to read and will stand out from those written in more easily recognized styles.

#CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--GUEST AUTHOR REBECCA BROOKS ON #WRITING, #ART, AND #MAGIC

Rebecca Brooks lives in New York City in an apartment filled with books. She writes about outdoorsy guys with both muscle and heart, and independent women ready to try something new. Learn more about Rebecca and her books at her website. 

Writing, Art, and Magic

It occurred to me recently that I write an awful lot about artists. The heroine of my last romance is a painter. There’s a photographer in my upcoming release, and I’m outlining a new book in a series that will introduce a hero who is a sculptor—as soon as I finish up this next book about a bartender and a chef. (My other favorite thing to write about? Food.)

I’ve written elsewhere [http://avian30.com/2014/07/26/guest-post-writing-as-art-or-why-not-to-draw-the-perfect-nose/] about how my background in drawing shapes the way I write. But I think there’s more to it than that. Why do I keep coming back to these kinds of characters, the people who make and create?

I’ve decided it has to do with magic. Art is about making something new, transforming the ordinary into the extra-ordinary. Art is about a unique way of seeing and experiencing the world, and isn’t that true for writing, too?  

I write steamy books. But there’s such a thing as too much of a good thing, and too many overt sex scenes in a row can make a story start to lose its luster. I love to build tension and anticipation by finding other ways to insert sensuality into the narrative. Art is physical. It’s emotional, honest, and raw. When I describe an artist at work, I’m revealing something about the character and how he or she moves through the world. I’m also creating a point of connection—something the hero and heroine can experience together, no matter what other challenges they face.

There’s something special, something different, about those of us who are drawn to create, whether it’s a manuscript, a masterpiece, or something as simple as a cut-and-paste collage. The magic is there, if we take the time to notice it.  I think I’ll keep writing about artists. I want to find out what they’ll discover. And I love what they do with their hands.

How to Fall

Julia Evans has always put others ahead of herself—her high school math students, her troubled best friend, and her ex. But with New Year's approaching, she buys a round trip ticket to Brazil. For one week, she can put her needs first. She can meet a stranger in the hotel pool at midnight and dance all night on the beach. 


Screenwriter Blake Williams has to keep moving before Oz’s latest scandal catches up to him. But the dark-haired beauty with a backpack and an adventurous streak is messing with his plans. He can’t seem to walk away from her. But secrets have a way of coming out, and when the week is up, Julia and Blake will have to decide if they’re jumping into the biggest adventure of all or playing it safe.

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CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--GUEST AUTHOR AND ARTIST JO ANNE MYERS

Jo Anne Myers is both an author and an artist. Learn more about Jo Anne, her art, and her books at her website. 

Never Give Up by Jo Anne Myers

For as long as I can remember, I have had an artistic flare—whether that be for writing, painting, sewing or drawing. I recall as a child how much I enjoyed drawing. The writing came later.

My seventh grade English teacher was Mrs. Henderson—a young mother and wife. She gave us a writing assignment and after gifting me with an A+ told me I should consider writing as a career. She meant as a journalist. I did not take her advice and become a journalist (one of my many misgivings.) My mind went toward other things as many young girls dream of—a husband, home, and family of my own. I put my love for writing and painting on hold for years. 

I unfortunately married a man who like my mother never encouraged me to be artistic. It was not until my children were grown and I no longer had a husband that I went back to my first love-art. I got a late start, but always encouraged my children and others to partake of artistic endeavors. 

I now have seven books under contract with three publishing houses. So my words to you all, is that no matter what road you choose, never forget your passion, and always keep it close to heart. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from enjoying your natural talents. You might need to put art on a temporary hold, but never, ever give up.

Wicked Intentions, 7 bone-chilling paranormal tales

Blood Ties

After the mysterious disappearance of twenty-six year old wife and mother Lisa Smalley, her twin, Audra Roper, begins having dark and disturbing visions of Lisa’s disappearance. Trying to survive while looking for Lisa, Audra’s life becomes a roller coaster of risks, heartbreak, and intrigue.　

　

The Haunting of Barb

Even as a child, Barb Marie saw dead people. This took an unhealthy toil on her throughout her childhood and young adulthood.

　

Summer Wind

When twenty-nine year old Ginger discovers the old mansion Summer Wind, she is mysteriously drawn to it. . Immediately, the haunting’s have a negative and profound effect on the family.

The Truth Behind the Lies, laying the Norfolk ghost to rest

Solving the brutal murder of American born Ruthie Geil becomes a gauntlet of attacks and more murders for Federal Police Inspector Ian Christian. Between the victims family, ex-lovers, and ghostly occurrences on Norfolk Island, the killer is closer than anyone realizes.

　

The Legend of Lake Manor

For the young psychic Cassandra Lopez, coming to the infamous and haunted mansion Lake Manor, was more like a mission.

The Apartment

When young newlyweds Bill and Gayle move into their new apartment, their lives are plagued with sightings of evil ghosts that threaten their marriage and lives.

Dark Visions

When Carrie Reynold’s starts having nightmares on her twenty-sixth birthday, she believes her “dark visions” can solve the twenty year disappearance of her father.

　

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