Sunday, October 6, 2013

30/30: Dayna Collins



30 artists...30 days. Spend the month of October with me at The Altered Page to meet the 30 spotlight artists in my book The Mixed-Media Artist: Art Tips, Tricks, Secrets and Dreams from Over 40 Amazing Artists. See them in action in their studios, read their 'quirky' bios written in their own words, see some of their art that led me to invite them to be a part of my book, and hear my story of what they each mean to me. Then click on over to their sites and see what they have to say about The Mixed-Media Artist.

------------------------------------
Dayna Collins


"Dayna Collins likes to get messy when making art. She works in layers, building up surfaces and then tearing them away to reveal deeper truths, mystery beyond the obvious.



When you look at something she has created, she wants you to wonder about its previous life, inviting you on an archeological dig, getting a glimpse beneath the surface, but never the full story."

------------------------------------
I cannot remember the first time I found Dayna Collins online. It just seems that I have been following and admiring her work for as long as I can remember. I am a texture lover, especially in abstract art, and have always been transfixed by the textures and layers that seem to be a central part to all of Dayna's work. She is also a color magician, magically creating shades of rich and vivid colors that light up her artwork.

I have been lucky enough to spend two fantastically amazing afternoons with Dayna and her equally wonderful husband Howard - one on my turf in NYC and one in her neighborhood of Oregon. Dayna is a gift that keeps on giving. Talented, funny, generous, thoughtful, and thought-filled. My only complaint was that the time went too fast. I am so pleased that Dayna and her work can be found on the  pages of my book and I so look forward to visit number 3 -- whenever and wherever that might be!
------------------------------------
GIVEAWAY

For every comment you leave in October on one of the 30/30 posts on my blog, you will have that many chances to win a signed copy of The Mixed Media Artist. I will be giving away a total of 3 copies. The more comments you leave, the more chances you have (but only 1 per post please). Please make sure I have a way to contact you. Winners will be announced in early November. 

80 comments:

Carol said...

Love Love Love The layers!

Carol said...

Love Love Love The layers!

Angie said...

Great textures! Very touched by Dayna tribute to her father “Brokenhearted”.

Rebeca Trevino said...

dayna is one of my favorites too.

i have never met her, but my sense is that she is kind, and giving and exceptionally talented.

good job, in picking dayna to be in your new book.

donna joy said...

amazing texture-another "new" artist to check out!

Kelley said...

It's wonderful to be introduced to new artists...

Shine on!
Kelley

Roberta Warshaw said...

Her work is wonderful as was her blog post about her family's battle with her dad's disease.

I will be following her blog now.
Thanks!

Angela M said...

so beautiful! love the depth!

elle said...

I'm with you on layers and textures. Another great artist I need to follow.

Aleta said...

Wow I just love the depth of these layers!

Nan G said...

Wonderful pieces! My visit to Dayna blog was heart wrenching..her piece about her fathers battle with Alzheimer's hit home, having lost my father to it a few years back. The memories of his sudden decline are .....
Ahem, this is an amazing experience, Seth. Look forward to the book.

Mary C. Nasser said...

LOVE the analogy of her paintings to an archaeological dig. Wonderful subtractive process, revealing underneath layers! This is so fun meeting the artist contributors of your new book!

Hue and Me Art said...

So happy to find out about dayna...you made a good find Seth.

tgarrett said...

I love these- it's amazing how abstract art can really evoke such emotion.

Linda Naprstek said...

love the textures and layers and colors, following her now!!!!Linda

Unknown said...

I love Dayna's work! We shared a class together online and I have been following her since then. Not only is her painting fabulous, her wonderful creative and playful spirit shine through them always.

Hastypearl said...

I'm going to find her site, right now! You know I love textures. I can see why you selected her:)...birds of a feather! Laura

Darlene K Campbell said...

I love those "chalky" layers with the idea of mysterious stories beneath. The way you have descrcibed her I imagine she is painting stories.

Canace said...

Thanks so much for posting this link to Dayna and her work. I was especially touched by the tribute to her Dad.. I lost my mother with Alzheimers as well. No one knows how painful it can be until you're there. Beautifully illustrated by Dayna's abstracts. Thank you both!

Lois0607 said...

Beautiful colors - I will definitely visit her page. Thanks for posting about her and her work

Sandy said...

I relate! --Getting messy and building layers and texture. Anxious to read and learn more about Dayna.

Unknown said...

I'm one of the lucky ones who know Dayna in "real life". The first word that comes to mind when I think of her? COLOR, of course! She also just radiates with inspiring, creative energy. So glad you included her in your book!

queenb2u said...

Love layers, texture and color. Have followed Dayna's work for quite sometime. Definitely talented and inspiring. Thanks, Seth.

Frances said...

Beautiful work!

trish quilty said...

Dayna work is so layered and textured. I love this art.

Deb Bee said...

I'm so glad you included Dayna in your book. Her art is inspiring!

Jo Murray said...

LOVE Dayna's paintings!!! Great layering and choice of palettes. Makes complexity look simple.

Unknown said...

I have the honor of calling Dayna my friend. She was one of the students in my very first class I taught In Oregon. SHe couldn't get enough of Anything Art. I immediately knew I wanted to be friends. She was cheerful and colorful and had an amazing and contagious smile. It all translates into her art.
you are wise to include her in your book. She is a wonderful artist and a fabulous person.

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful layers!

Chris said...

I'm an admirer of Dayna's work too. A recent post on her blog about her father's alzheimer's disease was very touching. Art saves us by helping us express without words that which can't be express by words. There is so much to see and feel in the layers.

rivergardenstudio said...

I love Dayna's work and hope to meet her one day too!

MB Shaw said...

Dayna is the best. She took classes from me at Artfest. Her husband bought my art. I spent time with her in OR. Then I bought *her* art. She just continues to grow as an artist and I adore her through and through.

Bill said...

Wonderful textures! Where would we be without texture?

Kathy said...

Wonderful work. Her tribute to her dad is heartbreaking.

Mrs Pretzel said...

I need to get together with Dayna. :) We're both Oregon gals... maybe a book signing with we Oregon Contributing artists. I think that sounds just about right.

nelda said...

I really enjoyed learning about Dayna and her work. It is very inspiring. And what a fun studio it looks like she has, plus she mentions some new to me antique shops in Oregon which I must now visit. Thanks!

Donna said...

Love the texture! WOW!

amy of studio four corners said...

like many others who have commented, I have been following Dayna for some time too...glad she is in the book!

E Makes Art said...

As a huge fan of texture (more like an addiction!) I was drawn to Dayna's work also... I've been following along with her on FB. Her art is gorgeous!! And I love her use of color!

Heather B. said...

I love how the texture allows many interpretations for the viewer to have an emotional experience/reaction.

Anne Camille said...

Thanks for introducing us to Dayna and her amazing artwork. Really like this series. Have been away but am slowly catching up on all of the artists you have featured.

Candice Thomas said...

I love her style. Am always inspired by the artists you introduce to us. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

oh - such peaceful spaciousness in Dayna's work!

Jan said...

Oregon has some fantastic artists, and I am glad you found Dayna. er work is beautiful!

Deborah J Bein said...

gorgeous work. dbein@hvc.rr.com

Unknown said...

Beautiful work! Love all the depth of the colors! Truly a wonderful artist - Dayna's work and blog are wonderful!

Lynda said...

Can't wait to see more of her artwork in your book... love how her work would be wonderful backgrounds, yet stand on their own...

Christine Kiehl said...

Two wonderful afternoons with her and her husband all to yourself, lucky! She creates great stuff; cant wait to see more!Thanks for the share!

Unknown said...

Your work expresses this "light" of love - teaching and caring for others. Beautiful!

Barbara Smith said...

Wonderful...whimsical...warm...what a great discovery!

Kathryn Dyche said...

Oooh you know me, I'm all about texture and layers. Love that her work makes you wonder what lay beneath.

bellefrogworks said...

The layers are fantastic - the texture is great! Love "meeting" new (to me) artists here.

Barbara I. said...

Thanks for introducing me to Dayna's work. I was unfamiliar with her art. I love the layers too! bkisrael@gmail.com

Barbara I. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Fantastic textures!

Laurie Richardson said...

oh how gorgeous! lovely layers!

stephanie brockway said...

Dayna, is my partner in crime for junking escapades. She has become a very talented painter,I am lucky to own a few pieces, love the rich colors and many layers, I never get tired of looking at her paintings and discovering lots of little nuances. Well done Friend!

Teri said...

I love the colorway that you have featured here in her work. It seems so interestng to me and I can see that a person would fall in love with her art. I cannot wait to see this new issue. It looks fantastic!

Mickie said...

Dayna's work is soul touching! Read and read on her blog and loved the tribute to her Dad.

froebelsternchen said...

oh my gosh.. what texture happiness!

Nina Mihm said...

Great pieces you shared with us. Enjoy the textures and mystery of her pieces.
Nina

Ruth Armitage said...

I love Dayna's texture, but it is her colors that remind me most of her sunny personality. What a gem. Congrats on your new book Seth!

Anonymous said...

You captured Dayna's art and personality in words so well! I love her paintings, and look forward to seeing the book.
Cynthia Herron
www.cynthiaherron.com

Leslie said...

Gosh, so many artists that I was previously unfamiliar with! Dayna's paintings are wonderful -- the colors and textures! Yum!

Unknown said...

Amazing abstract! Something that I aspire to and seldom reach. Her work seems so effortless!

Jan's Art and Musings said...

Really enjoyed her website!

wandamarie.blogspot.com said...

STUNNING, WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF!

Glenda said...

Great texture in her work.

Chris said...

I'm a huge fan of Dayna's work. I enjoy the layers...colors, textures, what's visible, what's hidden.

Barbara Mason said...

I too am a fan of Dayna's work - she plays hide and seek so well and I love her use of color!

Anonymous said...

Love Dayna, met her at one of my workshops in Artfest, and she stood out for me with her exuberant creative energy.
XO Orly

Peg Englishman said...

I just started getting interested in combining abstract painting in my own mixed media adventures. I love the layers and colors Dayna has used......very inspiring!

stlbarb said...

Just yummy!

Unknown said...

what a layering!

Queen Esther said...

amazing stuff

Renata said...

Just checked out Dayna's blog -- beautiful work! Love the texture and vibrancy in her pieces.

Lura said...

just gorgeous. xoxo

Parabolic Muse said...

Really cool textures.

Jorin said...

I like her paintings.

Gillian Pearce said...

I also love to build up layers and tear stuff off. I'm looking forward to exploring Dayna's work further.