It all begins with one of these little guys!
G‘day! Welcome to my first post on my brand new website and blog!
I hope you like it. I think it’s wonderful! It’s bright and bold and colourful – and it makes me smile 
Well, what a journey it has been for me over the last 7 months! In November 2009 I decided to turn my love of painting into a creative biz. It was a leap of faith for sure, but I’m grateful to be in a position where I have been able to take baby steps and build things slowly, one new step at a time. Being a full time (stay at home) mother as well as trying to grow a new business certainly has had it challenges, none more so than lack of time! There have been many days where I would have given my eye teeth just to have had 4 or 5 hours to hole up in my studio and paint the new ideas buzzing around in my head, or get those receipts into MYOB, do some social networking or come up with some new marketing ideas. But for the most part, I have had to grab snippets of time here and there and do what I can with what I’ve had. So yes, it’s been slow, but steady, and for that I’m very thankful. I know that within a few short years I will have more time on my hands so it’s all good!
One of the first things I did when I decided to start my business was have my logo designed and brand myself. I decided on the name Donna Heart because my blog at the time was called *heart* life . So it’s partly a play on the whole “I love art” “I love this life” thing – and then a bit of me too. I like the fact thats it’s me, but it’s also a business name as well. Shortly after that I had business cards made up, my first run of greeting cards and I was off and running. My next plan was to get a new website, so in March this year, I found a great designer and we got together and started to design my way into the 21st century creative biz style, and this is what you see before you! I hope you pop by from time to time, pull up a chair, grab a cuppa and have a chat. What I really want for this blog is for it to be a real exchange of ideas and conversation between people. I’d love people to feel free to write honest opinions and thoughts, to exchange ideas and suggestions too! I want to be able to write about my artistic journey, the evolution of my paintings and my style. The new directions that are opened up to me along the way and perhaps every now and then the normal and everyday things like the beautiful time I just had down the beach with my kids…
I hope you enjoy having a look around. I have loaded up quite a few images to the gallery which you will first see as small snippets of the whole painting. If you click on any of those they will appear in full. In time they will be categorised, but for now you get to just play pot-luck!
It has been quite the journey to get it all right, but it’s been so worth it! I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Leah who was the brains behind this website. She put up with lots of indescision from me and powered on like a trooper! So if you need a website designed, she’s your girl. Thankyou so much Leah!
Now it’s time…
Not one, but three prizes! In the spirit of new beginnings today I’d like to offer these three prizes up for grabs…
- For one reader they have a choice of one of my small canvases from my shop. They are 4×4 inches in size and you can see them all here.
- For another, a pack of my 6 blank cards, and
- the third a selection of my bookmarks. ( a set of 4)
Here’s the catch! What you need to do is pass on a message about my new website to at least one other person (more if you like)! Leave a message here with a link to your friend’s page (and your message there!) and I’ll draw a winner this Tuesday the 22nd of June. Or you could just let me know that you sent out an email, a tweet or a facebook shout out – something like that – I’ll believe you!
Thankyou so much for your on-going support. I appreciate you stopping by to read my posts and ramblings and bits and pieces. I’ve enjoyed every moment of sharing this crazy creative journey with you all and look forward to meeting many many more friends along the way!
Thanks for staying with me for a while and thankyou (in advance) for helping to spread the word about my new site! Today I choose brave! I hope you do too
Hi Donna! Congrats on your new site! I tweeted “Visit @DonnaHeart to enter a contest & check out her new blog! http://bit.ly/cy9lII“. Btw, it’s okay if I’m too late for the contest. I’m just glad to have discovered your new blog!
Hey Donna, love it, love it, love it!! Just gorgeous and really communicates YOU. Lovely!
Am tweeting and facebooking it, my fingers are crossed!
xo
I just retweeted your message saying to definitely check you out!
I really love your site, it’s was put together very well, and your artwork is beautiful, I’ll be following you for sure! Congratulations on taking this big step!
Hi Donna! Popping in from Flying Lessons. The website looks great! Did you design it yourself? Congratulations!!
Hey Donna, site looks great. What an amazing effort. Have posted to my facebook. Lots of love and good vibes going your way. xoxoxoxoxoxo
Hey Donna,
Website looks awesome mate, well done, don’t know how you find the time!!! I’m looking forward to following it and will def pass it on to friends.
A x
Hey Don,
I just left a comment for my friend Kaili:-
http://kailiart.blogspot.com/2010/06/career-in-illustration.html
Her comments are moderated though so it might take a wee while to show up.
I’ll do a Facebook thingie for you too!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new web space. Particularly taken with those lovely yellow sidebars!
You are destined to be a star ….
Love and hugs,
Fee x
I just put your website on my Facebook for my friends to check out. Love your new site. Lynda x
Hi Don – Wheeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! So super excited for you with your new website. It, you, and your work all look gorgeous! Will post on Cliffy’s blog and repost your FB status on mine to spread to love…or should that be HEART?! Hugs xxxx
Love this new site! Love your art! Love love love your fabulous energy! Thank you for putting this goodness and light out into the world! I plan to soak up more than my fair share!!!! Good Luck!
Hi Donna, congrats on the new site. It is beautiful. You must be over the moon and I hope you are going to celebrate it in style this weekend. I tweet tweeted the good new. Cathy x (your flying partner x)
Would love to give you a HUGE shout!
your websit is awesome! well done!!
xoxoxo
Hi Donna, You can thank the lovely Nic Hohn for sending me this way. I’m glad! Your website and art are beautiful. I tweeted about your website to our Flying Lessons group.
I have followed you for sometime now and love your art. Congratulations on the gorgeous new website, I’m off to have a proper look around, and will be emailing my friends.
Hey Donna
Loving the new site, huge congrats! Have done a facebook shout-out and mentioned your giveaway o=so hopefully that sends a few more your way. xxx
Love your new brave look and soul. Great job. Keep up your muchness, Girl!
Hey Don,
Congrats hun!!! I tried to leave a message on your old blog too???Hmmmm?
I have posted a link on FB!
Go girl! Proud of you!
Melis XXX
I have to say I do love the layout and design of your website – its fabulous.
And Nic Hohn mentioned you which is how I found you.
All the best with everything. I am book marking your site as an example of the kind of thing I would like to have.
Moyra
and am happy to mention you on my blog.
I’m going to tweet the link from my account @amystweeting. Best of luck with the launch of your blog/site!!!!
Love love love your work and so proud of you for how far you’ve come in such a short time. Your website is clear and fresh and colourful and happy and so Donna<3 x
Love the website Donna , it oozes with creativity and fun … congratulations. I’ve suggested to my friends on facebook to check it out! xoxo
I love your art
I have bookmarked your site to friends. One question. Why US dollars??
Hey Kerry! I’m not sure – it’s an ETSY thing. I’m guessing that ETSY is American? Anyway – I work out what price in AUD and then convert it to USD, which is why they can sometimes be odd prices. For example, a print will be $27 US and $30 AU (or thereabouts)!
Hi Donna
Love seeing your new work as you complete it. In my mind I am dreaming up an idea for a painting I would love to commission from you one day – of my four little daughters playing… … I have been telling my friends about you for a while now, but will do a big loud SHOUT for you on FB today! Congratulations on your new website!
Jacqui x
Hi Donna
Posted a link to your new site on my facebook status. Even if I’m too late for the giveaways, I’m very happy to share your beautiful work with more people.
Arlene