• About Me
  • PORTFOLIO
  • SKETCHBOOK
  • Blog
  • CONTACT ME
  • WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES
Menu

Dawn Gonzales Illustration & Design

  • About Me
  • PORTFOLIO
  • SKETCHBOOK
  • Blog
  • CONTACT ME
  • WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES

Welcome to my blog, a collection of my daily pursuits to find life's glittery bits.

Ground Control to Major Dawn

Ground Control to Major Dawn

On Universal Messages, Working Hard, and Keeping the Faith

May 6, 2016

I’m back! Thank you all for reading the FREELANCE FRIDAY series. It was great fun and I learned so much from our wonderful interviewees, Dawline, Lydia, Chris, Keith, Heather, and Adria. I'm putting this down for now so we can take all the useful tips and apply it to our own pursuits. I may pick it up again in the latter half of the year, but am switching gears right now to work on some other ideas.

I talk about the Universe a lot. And guess what? I'm going to do it today, because, well, it’s sending me signals that I cannot ignore and I must share my thoughts with you. Maybe you are like me and have spent some time feeling frustrated and depressed about “not pulling my weight in contributing to the household income, not getting as many licensing deals as I'd like, having so many ideas and not being able to focus on only one.” What’s an aspiring artist to do? We’re moody and crazy that way.

I spent a lot of time this past winter feeling blue about not being able to identify my purpose in life. And then I saw this:

love letter

This was a message written to me by one of my 9 year old students in my first after school community art class. (tears emoticon). Wait, I think there’s something in my eyes. Both of them.

Earlier in the year, I was approached by the Arts in the Community program from RAC. This program brings quality art making experiences to Richmond and surrounding cities for children, youth, families, and adults of all ages. Already a teaching artist at the center, I knew right away that I was interested in supporting the after school children’s programs, especially since my own childhood art education classes shaped my entire life in such a wonderful way. 

I’ve been so into mixed media and art journaling these days, I designed and proposed a curriculum based around this practice for children. I spent 4 weeks in March teaching Art Journal Explorations to young children in the community and the results were amazing. Here is my class description:

“Art Journaling is a refreshing relief from a world where we are bombarded with information, expectations, grades, and tests. It lets us “be,” providing us with an opportunity to connect with our heart and mind. The goal of this class is to encourage expression, self acceptance, and an emulation of a working artist’s practice. Students will explore the idea of combining imagery with colors and words in an unstructured format. 

During a progression of four loosely guided learning lessons, we will each make a hand bound journal from recycled and up-cycled materials. Our art making will include exploring printing techniques for background pages, adding memory pockets, collage, dimension, embellishments, and stenciling using hand made or found objects. The children will use teacher assigned prompts to spur ideas on visual self expression: TODAY, LOVE, ENERGY, STRENGTH AND NATURE. While creating theme pages based on these ideas, we will try not to worry so much about the “finished” end result, because the purpose of the class is in the DOING, the EXPERIENCE of CREATING from the heart and a place of authenticity. After all, isn’t it true that almost every artist could benefit from exercising less control and more creative freedom?”

Inspirational Art Journal pages from some wonderful artists on Pinterest.

At the end, while learning about mediums and techniques, each child’s book pages blossomed individually into a beautiful expression of themselves. It was a true gift for me to teach these little artists. It was also an exciting experience for the children as they were able to learn and practice with a real live artist. At about the same time this class ended, my first feature in U P P E R C A S E magazine was published.

Yay! Sharing my joy.

Yay! Sharing my joy.

Maybe one day we will see some of these beauties between its pages:

Student work: Spray ink stenciling and secret stamp pocket inspired by Nature.

Student work: Spray ink stenciling and secret stamp pocket inspired by Nature.

Student work: Mixed media journal pages inspired by Nature, Energy, Love and Strength.

Student work: Mixed media journal pages inspired by Nature, Energy, Love and Strength.

Student Hand Bound Journal with embellishments and fringe

Student Hand Bound Journal with embellishments and fringe

Student Work: Hand Bound Journal with embellishments and fringe

Student Work: Hand Bound Journal with embellishments and fringe

Student Art Journal page inspired by the prompt TODAY

Student Art Journal page inspired by the prompt TODAY

Class Journal Page exploring collage and printmaking techniques

Class Journal Page exploring collage and printmaking techniques

You should come see all the AIC student work beginning May 7th. The exhibit goes until May 27th with the opening reception on May 14th.

student art show rac

I have been basking in the glow of my AIC journal class experience for over a month. And, recently, after looking at this chart and reflecting on my own satisfaction of the teaching experience,  I realized that I may have found a calling, or “my purpose.”

What is my calling?

What is my calling?

This summer I will be instructing a 5 week Marketing and Design class to a lovely group of high school girls, graduates of the Rosie's Girls program, right here in Richmond, CA. That's going to be dreamy. Polka dotted kerchiefs for everyone!

And I'm teaching Summer Camp Art Classes  in July to grade schoolers in my community. How cool is that? I better dig up my OP corduroy shorts and tube socks right away so I'm dressed for success. 

Totally Awesome Summer Counselor outfits

Totally Awesome Summer Counselor outfits

I’m so excited and thankful for these wonderful opportunities.

You guys, I have so many ideas and I want to do them all! Workshops? Yes! Sewing projects? Certainly! Custom embroideries and art shows? Sign me up! I love doing them all. But I REALLY LOVE TEACHING. Something I learned from Lisa Congdon in her book, Art Inc., is that, as a working artist, a person usually has to do a bunch of different things to actually earn a decent living. But how to focus? How to manage it all? I’m really trying to work on this without feeling overwhelmed. But, I’m doing it!

Do you know Tosha Silver? I’ve talked about her before. In her book, Outrageous Openness, she speaks about being open to the Universe and different doorways of opportunity. Because goddess knows, that universe works in mysterious ways. You should read it.

There is some interesting stories about accepting changes in paths and seeing what falls into place. Here’s a story from me that could have fallen right out of Outrageous Openness: 

My two workshops that I had planned for mothers day got canceled because of low enrollment. Instead of being bummed, I tried to look at the cancellations as gaining some time to do something else fabulous. So I think I will use that time I just got back to organize my art supplies for all those jobs that will be coming in! Oh yeah! Guess what? This week I snagged a great freelance gig with one of my favorite brands, Levi Strauss! Boom! Now I have time to earn some money that can support my teaching habit!

Anyway, I’m open. I’m ready.  Oh, Fortuna, find me. And bring it on. And thank you, Universe, for helping me find my special purpose.

Special Purpose
In art education, business, inspiration, joy, teaching Tags universe, joy, art, business, Richmond Art Center, Art in the Community, art journaling, teaching, art inc., summer camp, purpose, calling, mixed media, Uppercase Magazine, Universe, Tosha Silver, openess, Outrageous Opennes
← On Branding: Hello, My Name is DawnFreelance Friday Fashion Designer Edition: My interview with Heather Habig →

New Work

Illustrations
Dressed Turkey: The Dinner Guest
Dressed Turkey: The Dinner Guest
about a year ago
Pianotter
Pianotter
about 11 months ago
On This Morning I Begin Again
On This Morning I Begin Again
about 2 years ago

Shop

etsy button
dawn_gonzalesspoonflowerlogo

Sashiko mending on a beautiful Sunday morning. What will you do today just for yourself? #stitch #sashikomending #sashiko #denim #indigo #mending #selfcare #meditation #makersgonnamake #calm #mending #threads #fabric #sewing #myfavoritejeans
Happy belated. #valentinesday #donathomas #pink #photoop #shiny #love
Weekend make-a-thon continues. Thanks @metal_pig for my favorite B-Day card yet! I love it so much, I added googly eyes and pasted it into my sketchbook. #collage #sketchbook #art #dailyart #greetingcards #washitape #googlyeyes #tears #truth #artjournal #cutandpaste #paperarts #gesso
Topo Chico! Que Sabrosa! Sometimes it’s fun to make a simple bright page in your sketchbook on a Saturday morning. Have a great weekend, friends! Thanks @metal_pig for the topo stickers! #art #sketch #sketchbook #topochico #popart #bright #artjournal #oilcloth #joy #inspiration #selfcare #dailyart #illustration #mixedmedia #paint #design
Presenting week 7 #RaisedbyTV: The Donny and Marie Show!

DAWN: (left) A weekly variety show with such superstar guests as Ruth Buzzi, Paul Lynde, and Don Knotts, this series encapsulated every trend from pop culture at the time. Because my fondest memories of Donny and Marie were playing with their doppelgänger dolls we received for Christmas one year, I decided to draw Marie the way I remember her best: with a giant head, an impossibly tiny waist and feet, and a plastic microphone that pierced through her hand to appear as a “diamond ring” on the other side. In my obsession, I also carried a vinyl Donny and Marie lunch box to Goins Elementary daily and I was probably very proud of myself about that.

The show debuted in 1976, the year of the bicentennial and, incidentally, the year our red-headed teenage neighbor boys wrote a giant ‘USA’ out of freshly mown grass in the middle of the street in front of our houses.

If you have never seen Donny and Marie, https://youtu.be/aqYKPfTvKkk. And you’re welcome. You can also still see the Osmonds in concert at their Las Vegas residency today.

Media: Hand drawn sketch, ink on paper, Adobe Illustrator

DIONNE: (right) She’s a little bit country…and I’m a little bit Rock and Roll! The 70s were a magical time for variety shows. Donny and Marie was one of our favorites. I just could not wait for Marie to stop singing about how she liked country music so Donny could go into his sexy Rock and Roll mode. In hindsight, he wasn’t Rock and Roll at all, but I loved him and his handsome face. We never had Barbie dolls growing up, but we sure as hell had Donny and Marie dolls! They were ensconced head to toe in purple feathery fringe, purple satin and glitter.  Exactly how I envisioned an adult me. We used to make them their own clothes with scraps of material and bric a brac from my mom’s sewing basket. My 1976 Donny pictured here is wearing his alternate cream colored suit that in the doll version includes a glittery purple vest. 
Media: Pencil ink, paper and Adobe Illustrator

artcards #donnyandmarie #eatart #illustration #osmonds #glitter #purple #donnyandmarieosmond #joy #inspiration #design @metal_pig
Memories from when Cookie taught an aerobics class in our living room and her junk fell outta her drawls. #punchkickandsretch #oneandtwoandthree #bulldog #englishbulldog #ilovedogs #dogsofinstagram #memories #fitnessfirst
Crafting it out at CLIF HQ! We had such a fun afternoon leading this Valentine’s Day card making workshop at the office! I co-hosted this event in partnership with my friends in Community. All 100 handmade cards will go to @covenanthousecalifornia to homeless and at risk youth. #crafts #jazzedforcrafts #cardmaking #voluteering #doinggood #needsmoreglitter #inspiration #joy #community #art #papercrafts #workshop #teach
@clubhuey getting me onto public transportation daily with this cute screen printed wallet. I love @frenchieandthenews . #merch #hueyandleon #frenchbulldogs #bayarearapidtransit #loyalfan #hillo #omigosh
Square pegs, square pegs, square, square PEGS! Hello, 1982. It's week 6 of RasiedByTV.

DAWN: (left) Omigod!!!! Square pegs was a turning point for me into young adult hood. We were 11 when this series debuted and our minds were blown. Not only could I relate to being a social misfit, but this is when I first learned about New Wave music from Johnny Slash and Marshall Blechtman who ran Weemawee High School’s radio station. They were lovable lovers of music, great friends, and regular kids trying to navigate through teenage life and I was FASCINATED by them and their fellow students. Johnny’s intimidating looks (to my 11 year old mind) and awkwardness were softened by his thoughtful gentleness and this really broadened my horizons to people that were different from the ones in my own town of Cheyenne, Wyoming. This image is inspired by an episode called ‘Open 24 Hours’ where Johnny’s band (also called Open 24 Hours), plays a set at the local grocery store. Enjoy it for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTaIRqMdPHg

Merritt Butrick, who played Johnny and also acted in the ‪Star Trek‬ movies of the 80’s, sadly passed away from aids complications in 1989, the year I graduated from high school.

Media: Hand drawn sketch, ink on paper, Adobe Illustrator

DIONNE: (right) Cliques. ‪The Waitresses‬. ‪Devo‬. New Wave. Valley Girls. Nerds. I loved this show so much and it was only on for 1 season! But I gleaned a lot from that single year. How I could relate to Lauren (Amy Linker playing the “fat girl") and the scholarly Patty (SJP). They were so awkward, but they really did put themselves out there in their quest for popularity. I admired that. And Muffy Tepperman, played by Jamie Gertz. What a goody-goody, and she didn't care! I learned the word "Behooved" from her on this show and I still love using that word.

Media: Hand drawn sketch, ink on paper, Adobe Illustrator
Anyone else tryna live by The Four Agreements right now? Every morning I recite these sentences to myself. And every night, I realize that I failed to follow them. But, tomorrow is another day. I made this weird collage/mosaic lettering spread in my art journal as a mindful exercise in being present. It worked! And now I shall nap. Hope you all are having a great weekend. You are doing a great job at life! Just keep doing your best😊 #art #dailypractice #artjournal #mixedmedia #sketchbook #paint #lettering #typography #collage #inspiration#joy #turqouise #cutpaper #paperarts #papercrafts #origamipaper #thefouragreements #donmiguelruiz #mantras #goals #illustration #design #words #cutandpaste #betterthantherapy
Throwback to this weekend when I flew on a private jet to Austin with a bunch of knuckleheads! #onajet #baller #cliflife #feedyouradventure #whodoithinkiam #teambuilding #friendlyskies #collaboration #wereworking
Selfies with Dogs. This is Ziggy! #selfieswithdogs #dog #officedog #cliflife #ilovedogs #dogsofinsta #dogsofinstagram

Follow me to see a lot of bulldog photos, art shenanigans and Bay Area adventures.


"Dogs. Food. Fitness. Clothes. Art. Love."