Absinthe. Looks good but I HATE it. Well this one anyway. The strongest licorice taste ever. And I hate licorice. But the one they used to sell in Czech Republic was better. That one tasted like Scope. Minty fresh. I will always remember absinthe night in Prague, 95. What a hoot. We were a bunch of new "expat" friends, and we were all leaving after a summer of art and adventure, going back to our respective countries. And so we treated ourselves to this "dangerous"drink that was banned in most countries. We thought wormwood was a hallucinogen, because that's what they said. And we laughed ourselves silly as we played kick the can down a beautiful old cobble street road on a quiet evening. I even smuggled a bottle home and treated friends to this rare delight at parties. Well, turns out wormwood isn't a hallucinogen at all. It was the high alcohol that made it dangerous. 110 %. And it's now available in Canada, wormwood and all! Ah, makes me laugh. Go placebo, go! I still wish I liked it. Or Pastis, Ouzo, or Sambucca. It's such a pretty green and when you add water it turns opaque, like magic. I tried it again last night because I was celebrating becoming a painter, a life long dream, and cleaning up the kitchen after the neighbour's renovations covered the inside of my whole house with dust. (Ugh). The bottle was so sparkly and I love those old French labels. And that pretty green. With a cube of sugar. So romantic because I love that period in art history. Paris in the late 1800s, the crazy art scene, the incredible art is what made me want to learn French so badly. But blech. It's still licorice. You love it or you hate it. What say you about licorice? Love or hate? And what's your fave art period? #artlove #absinthe #artinparis #praguecity #memoriesofalifetime #artsydreams #latebloomers #diaryofalatebloomer #diaryofalatebloomingartist #keepdreaming #itsnevertoolatetopaint #dumadoartprocess #dumadoart #parisinthe20s (at St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWL7MIkPwKw/?utm_medium=tumblr

I spent yesterday after Hurricane Larry catching up on my spur of the moment #30daypaintingchallenge. I was out at a friend's in Champneys (near Trinity) for a few days taking in the art at the #bonavistabiennale - and the views. Beautiful. What a great way to explore the area. But ivdidn't have time to paint. So yesterday was catch up time. Each of these took about 40 minutes to paint. And a marathon day was great. I felt more confident with each painting. Now I'm getting ready to paint today, and to practice what I learned yesterday, so it becomes knowledge. When we are learning things, we need repetition to make it stick. That's why practicing daily works so well. We don't have time to forget what we learned the day before. We practice, build on our knowledge, and perfect. Also, I was exploring with new limited palettes. What fun! And it really works to keep the colour in your paintings harmonious. Join me in the challenge. Just start painting daily. These are tiny, the size of a business card. And the principles of art will stay the same whether you paint big or small! If you've wanted to try painting, this is a great way to learn. What are you waiting for? Seriously, let me know!! Painting is too much fun, and even good for us, to keep putting it off. ______________________________⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ . . . . . #paintingclass #oilpaintingtechniques #oilprocess #paintingforbeginners  #allaprima #paintingcourse #paintingcourses #yyt #diyart #diyartist #oilpaintingart #oillandscape #collectart #originalart #fineartpainting⁣ #oilpaintingdemo #colorfulart #dumadoart #dumadoartprocess #oilpaintingart #easypainting #easypaintings #artlovers #easyart #easyoilpainting  #artistsofinstagram #instaarts #creativeprocess #creativeprojects (at Trinity, Newfoundland and Labrador) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTukN_drQBi/?utm_medium=tumblr

View of Cabot Tower from the East Coast Trail at Fort Amherst. A little 4x4 inch #minipainting #ittybittymini #miniduma #miniatureart #miniart #tinypainting #miniatureoilpainting #miniature #paintingaday #dailypainter #arteveryday #artforgifts #startcollectingart #affordableart #dumadoart #dumadoartprocess #dumadoarttip #smallsteps #ittybittyartpractice #artchangestheworld #theworldneedsmoreartists (at Fort Amherst) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQooFACsGzt/?utm_medium=tumblr

Tip to get started creating. Instead of saying I don't have time, say "I'm not making it a priority". Because that's what's happening. It's about priorities. For example, what are we doing today instead of painting? Is it ironing? Watching Netflix? Shopping? Imagine yourself at 99, sitting on the porch, looking back at your life. Are these the things that are going to make you feel proud of your life? If so, awesome. Your priorities are on track. But if you go: "ironing! I put ironing first? Waaah!" After you calm down, remember, all is not lost. We can make changes. And the best way to make lasting habits is with mini steps. Make small changes that are so easy you can't say no. This is where mini paintings shine. A little mini painting like this takes about an hour and a half to paint. An hour and a half of pure joy. Pure me time. Which is so good for you. It's not only an exciting challenge, having space for yourself is restorative. We are not truly at rest when we are with others. We are always on the alert. If you can't find an hour and a half, then try sketching just 5 minutes a day. This is enough. Keep a sketchbook in the kitchen and do a sketch while waiting for the water to boil. Small incremental steps over time is how we build up mastery. And visual arts are all about looking. The more we look, the better we will see, and the better we see, the better we will paint. Psst. I'm working on a get more art in your life challenge. Drawing exercises that will take just 5 minutes a day, especially chosen for painters. Stay tuned. DM me, and I'll put you on the list, as soon as I create it. ______________________________⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ . . . . #paintingtip #oilpaintingtechniques #oilprocess #oilpainter #paintingclass   #paintingcourse #paintingcourses #hobbyart #diyart #diyartist #paintingforbeginners  #oilpaintingdemo #colorfulart #dumadoart #dumadoartprocess  #oilpaintingart #easypainting #easypaintings #artlovers #easyart  #easyoilpainting #instaartist  #artistsofinstagram #instaarts #creativeprocess  #creativeprojects2021 #learntopaint #getcreative (at St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador) https://www.instagram.com/p/CO8YoggMhHs/?igshid=1w806yttoeuyr

Trying a new synthetic brush. These are softer than natural bristle brushes, but this one is quite firm which I like. It also holds a nice edge which makes it good for painting lines. You'll never know which brush you will like until you try it. Try everything. (#DumaDoArtTip - that's another great thing about mini paintings. You get to try things faster. Every painting can be a new exploration. ) Ready to try oil painting?  My itty bitty Intro to Oil Painting course will show you everything you need to know to paint your first oil painting in 3 hours! DM me, or see link in my bio.  ______________________________⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ . . . . #paintingtip #oilpaintingtechniques #oilprocess #oilpainter #paintingclass   #paintingcourse #paintingcourses #hobbyart #diyart #diyartist #paintingforbeginners  #oilpaintingdemo #colorfulart #dumadoart #dumadoartprocess  #oilpaintingart #easypainting #easypaintings #artlovers #easyart  #easyoilpainting #instaartist  #artistsofinstagram #instaarts #creativeprocess  #creativeprojects2021 #learntopaint #getcreative https://www.instagram.com/p/CN8LC_hsEjJ/?igshid=pahxbgmvzsvm

Need a last minute gift? My Intro to Oil Painting course is perfect for the art lover in your life. (Even if it's you!) Link in bio. Here's the plan. Get your 4 art supplies during the Boxing Day sales. Then join the 5 Day Art Challenge coming up in January. And you will learn how easy it is to get more art in your life. (And see how much joy creating art adds). ______________________________⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ • • • • #lastminute #lastminutegifts #paintingtutorial #artlessons #learntopaint #howtopaint #paintingprocess #paintingclasses #artinspiration #artschool #onlinepaintingcourse #paintingdemo #paintingtechniques #paintingteacher #allaprima #oilpaintingtechniques #oilprocess #instaarts #instaartist #oilpaintingprocess #oilpainter #landscapepainter #landscapepainting #impressionism #oilpaintingart #oillandscape #dumadoart #dumadoartprocess https://www.instagram.com/p/CXypwodOuY_/?utm_medium=tumblr

(sold) Big boat. Little boat in the distance is also a big boat. I love watching the boats come into the harbour. They really are big!! And I absolutely love how their colours pop against a cool sky. Thats the magic of color temperature. Cool colours against warm colours are just so beautiful. _____________________________ It’s here! My itty bitty Intro to Oil Painting course is OPEN🎨 ⁣⁣ Learn to paint with oils in a fast and fun way - with mini paintings! I show you how you can paint your first fine art mini painting in under 3 hours. Enroll now in the course and get some extra special bonuses along with a great introductory price.  ⚡️ Click on link in bio or go to irene duma teaches art dot com. Who's in? . . #dumadoit #dumadoartprocess #artchallenge  #onlinecourses #artcourses #inmystudio #studioscenes #mystudiotoday #artprocess #artiststudio #artistlife #paintingclass #oilpaintingtechniques #oilprocess #paintingcourse #artistlife #onlinepaintingcourse #onlineartcourse #onlineartclass #makeart #makearteveryday  #arteveryday  #learnoilpainting #creativeprocess #artprocess #lifeofanartist  #createeveryday #artcommunity #artistssupportingartists #dumadoart  https://www.instagram.com/p/CTIOnSoHj9P/?utm_medium=tumblr

Final touches-sky colours reflect on the ground too! A little mini painting of pretty Petty Harbour! Yes, oil painting is as fun as it looks. Creamy, buttery, beautiful colour to smush around until something magically appears! Addictive! But the good kind! #creativespace #anartistslife #artsydreams #lifeofanartist   #creativespaces #creativeworkspace #thiscreativelife #creativeinspiration #homeinthestudio#carveouttimeforart #creativeprocess #inherstudio #artflow  #acolorstory #colormehappy #colorwhisperer #hellocolor #colorcrushcreative #ihavethisthingwithcolor #studioselfie #newfoundlandartist #dumadoart #dumadoit  #yyt #islandlife #newfoundland #iranawaytobeanartist (at Petty Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSzc0ICndG5/?utm_medium=tumblr

Did I do that? Yes! Just thinking that 5 years ago this time, painting was just a dream. Albeit a dream that was getting harder to ignore. I had always wanted to be an artist. Always. And yet, it eluded me. Why couldn't I do it? It was like an invisible force field kept me away. There was always something I had to do first. Something more important. I’m still trying to figure it out. But somehow I put what I wanted to do last on my list. But you can’t squelch your calling forever. I was 54 years old, and my dream of being an artist wanted to be heard! I was listening to artist podcasts non-stop (@savvypainterpodcast so good) and browsing art store websites for fun. (#currysartstore ) So when I got laid off from work later that year, I knew I had to shift gears, put up sails, and set course for that new land called artville. I also knew I needed to commit (love this tip from improv comedy). So I decided I was not only going to burn my bridges, I was going to burn my boat. No more fee for service work. I hauled in the "fishing lines", cut the ties, and wheeee!!! That first year was so much fun! ( I had a little package from work that I gifted myself). I didn’t think, I just threw myself in. I was a kid in a sandbox. I tried gouache, pastel, and finally oil. Love them all. But I digress. The point is, I’m doing it now. I’m living my dream. And living your dream feels great. There is no longing anymore. No resentment or jealousy (oh, yes, I was jealous of artists. How come they did what they wanted, but I had to toil? How come indeed? I’m still trying to figure that out). There is just doing. So glad to be doing my "dream". I am on the right track now. Peace. Now to you. What's your big dream? Are you making steps towards it? Or are you still leaving it until "some day?" Let me know in the comments. #anartistslife #lifeofanartist  #creativespace #creativespaces #creativeworkspace #thiscreativelife #creativeinspiration #homeinthestudio #carveouttimeforart #creativeprocess #onmywall #inherstudio #artflow #acolorstory #colormehappy #colorwhisperer #hellocolor #colorcrushcreative #ihavethisthingwithcolor #studioselfie #newfoundlandartist #dumadoart (at St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPYupqiM5-z/?utm_medium=tumblr