Interested in Commissioned Artwork?

Ever wanted to own original artwork created by me specifically for you or a loved one? Well YOU CAN!

Artist’s Statement:

As a writer, artist, and perpetual dreamer, I find escape in creating worlds very different from my own life through both the written and the visual forms. Using these creative outlets, I strive to provide inspiring images and words, focusing on increasing self-esteem and promoting positive feelings in life, in oneself, and in the pursuit of dreams.

My journey into art began in 2005 with the deconstruction and reconstruction of old books into personal art journals. Art journaling involves using key words, phrases, or found poetry. I continue to explore this art form, which enables me to work through personal feelings, thoughts, and events on my art journal pages. Being unable to write for many years, the paint brush eventually brought me back to my writing pen. Most of the pages of my art journals are centered around overcoming personal issues and documenting important moments in my life. In 2007, I stumbled upon scrapbooking techniques, which I then incorporated into my art journals. Within the past two years, I started painting professionally, capturing images on canvas and paper to motivate myself and others in pursuit of dreams.

Generally, I work in my art journals and on different art pieces simultaneously. The most notable features within my artwork are texture elements. I utilize many tools to increase the textural feel of most of my artwork. In addition, my work centers around female images and includes positive inspirational wording. Building scenes through collage is a new practice that I am currently enjoying. A freelance, self-employed writer and artist, I work primarily in acrylics using collage, ephemera, scrapbooking, and mixed media techniques in fantasy and fairy art. Having received no formal art training, I am predominantly a self-taught artist on an enriching journey where my most invaluable lesson learned to date is how gesso can be an artist’s best friend.

I reside in my hometown of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. While having an on-again/off-again relationship with pursing my Bachelor's degree in English at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, I strive to live the creative life through writing, creating mixed media art, and mentoring others in creativity. I can be found working intensely, though it may look a little like daydreaming, on stories or splashing paint around in my studio with loud music playing in the background. I enjoy getting swept away in a good book, avoiding reality television, trying foods from around the world, and traveling whenever I can.

I create many differing styles of artwork.








My paintings will look great in coordination to children's decor, for wedding, or birthday presents!

Pricing is simple:

2.5x3.5 $10
4x6 $25
5x7 $35
7x9 $65
8x10 $80
11x14 $155
12x16 $200

The artwork can come on stretched canvas*, canvas boards, watercolor paper, etc. (*Artwork on stretched canvas can be painted black on the sides and hung as is without needing to be framed.) It can be sealed in varnish or beeswax at no extra charge. (See me for resin pricing.)

I do have referral discounts. Earn discounts on artwork based on completed (paid) referrals to friends and family. Half of artwork price is due up front to begin the commission. Remaining half is due at completion of artwork. Shipping charges apply if applicable. Item will be shipped/provided once payment is received in full.

I'm only accepting a limited number of commissions during this holiday season, due to work, classes, and life in general. So now is the time to get your order in.

Let's discuss your commission, and let's make your painting a reality!

Be a Doer of the Word

It is funny how everything in my life is becoming centered around the most important person...(I know you are thinking I'm about to say me, aren't you...Yes it's true I'm feeling very convicted over my self-centeredness. God is working on me. But apparently I'm slow to learn this lesson, so be patient with me please! I'll get there.)

Anyways, I'm spending time with Him each and everyday, and I'm loving it. He's teaching me so much about life and myself. I'm falling so much in love with Him. I can't wait to hear from Him, read about Him, see Him. It's amazing, this love story of ours.

And I'm not afraid to share Him. He loves us all...So do it. Get to know Him for yourself and see if you can resist Him...I dare you!


Verses of the week:

James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Romans 2:13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.

Matthew 7:24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.


Artwork:




Lesson Learned:

I'm thirsty for Him and His word. I read the Bible as often as I can. While I'm not able to memorize the verses or complete the assignments in my bible study like I wish I could, I'm still putting Him in my life and getting the seeds planted. He is working on me constantly, because He loves me, his chosen daughter, and because I believe.

I'm a hot mess, I must admit, financially, spiritually, emotionally, physically, domestically; jeez the list is a mile long, and I'll save us all from the rest of it. I'm partly surprised that He would even see fit to bother, but His heart is so amazing and His love so great. He accepts me for who I am. He loves me unconditionally. He forgives me for my past and forgets about it (boy was that a pill to swallow). He is love. He is beauty. What's not to love about Him?

He's taught me that it's not just about reading the bible. I have to apply it to my life. I have to take his words (ex: work as if unto the Lord) and apply it to my everyday. So I put that into practice this week, and I changed in ways I never thought possible. I became a better worker, a better teammate, a better person by doing everything as if unto Him.

But I'm not "there" yet, that's for sure. I have a long way to go. He's teaching me that He is working on me. He is providing me with the tools and the knowledge and the desire to be the person that He wants me to be. He is taking away all of the "things" that I do not need in my life and filling my heart with Him. As he works on me and my issues, he is helping me to grow stronger, smarter, whole, so that my house (me) will be wrapped so firmly within Him that nothing will shake it. No matter what happens, I will get through it (relationships, jobs, children, life) because I built my house upon HIM.

So what is your house built on?

Do you ever wonder if there is a different way?

Maybe it's time for you to change contractors...I definitely have one I could recommend with all my heart!

Jesus, is the light and the way.

Life Lessons: Work

God is good!

With my newfound faith, I had plans of attending weekly bible studies to grow further in my faith. Well, life (or something like it) soon stopped me in my tracks.

For the past few weeks, I've been torn between what I want and what I have to work with. I prayed. He answered, in the most unexpected of ways. (And his best is so much better than what I even knew to ask for!!)

But going backwards a bit, lets rewind to my last art class. I believe in art as therapy, helping us to overcome issues and hurts to grow stronger and heal. The class focused on collaborations, in the sense that we focused on the same subject, which was working through a current issue in our lives. We journaled our hurts, pain, thoughts, without edits. Then we used art (paint) to wash away the issue (Giving it to God, is how I see it). Next we added elements that we hoped for, wanted, envisioned, want to see in the place of the "issue."

My piece focused on the message I was to hear repeated for the next week.



Fastforward to today. Rather than change someone's heart to allow for more flexibility in scheduling or sending another opportunity my way, He planted a seed in my pastor to create a new bible study, lead by my pastor, on Sunday, my one true day of rest! How amazing is that, and better than I could have ever known to ask for.

Bible Study:

Ephesians 6:7 >> New International Version
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,

2 Corinthians 4:6 >> New International Version

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

1 Peter 4 >> New International Version
1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.


Lesson Learned:

God has a plan that is better than we can ever try to imagine, even us creatively imaginative types. We don't understand the hows or whys when things are happening, but He is forever in control of our lives. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations we do not wish to remain in. We pray and He answers. In His timing; not our own. For His good; not our own. He may leave us in unhappy situations because those situations have a lesson to teach us or someone around us. He leaves us in places of darkness so that His light can shine through us. Rather than suffer with complaints and whining, we should live as He did, suffering in silence, working to the best of our ability, with the tools provided to us, as if we were working for Him and His glory rather then for man.

My Plan To Grow:

I should work harder at receiving His will and commands and completing them, the first time, minus the complaints and kicking and screaming, as I do not need to understand His reasoning. He commands. I follow.

Thank you, God, for these blessings received.

Wanna learn some background techniques???

Life is certainly getting more interesting by the minute. I'm taking care of business and working as if unto the Lord in all that I do. I'm breaking through strongholds and becoming a better Mindy.

Enough about me and about life. Lets talk about ART.

Did you ever wonder how I make my backgrounds? What techniques I use?

Well, now you have a chance to learn some of my tips and tricks, firsthand, in a class setting. You don't have to bring anything, but it's always good to bring at least two pictures that you may use for the finished product.

I provide the supplies and paper to work on. You bring home your finished creation.

Sounds like fun, right? Come to my next class and see how fun and easy ArT can be incorporated into your life.

Creating Backgrounds and Techniques by
MINDY BLANCHARD
Date: Sat, Sept 24, 2011 @ 10:30 am
Where: Hobby Lobby Classroom
Cost: $10 on day of class
*CLASS IS LIMITED TO 20 STUDENTS ONLY!
SIGN UP TODAY!!

Travel With Me Sketchbook Project 2012

Sketchbook Project 2012 Teaser alert!! Combining my three favorite things: art, travel, and writing, I completed one the most fulfilling projects thus far. My project is based on the idea of an epistolary novel.

e·pis·to·lar·y   /ɪˈpɪstlˌɛri/ [ih-pis-tl-er-ee] 1. contained in or carried on by letters: an epistolary friendship. 2. of, pertaining to, or consisting of letters.

I love writing stories via letters. While this is not my first novel of letters, it is the only one that is able to be shown to the public at this point.

I finally found a use for all of the maps and paraphanalia I acquired during my travels. Going through the places and the lessons I've learned in life has helped me to see how truly blessed I am in life and how much I have grown.

For the first time ever, I finished a project way ahead of schedule. I'm looking forward to seeing what other sketchbooks come from this years project.

Take a journey with me...

Who am I?

This past trip to Dallas, Texas, has been an eye opener. I saw deeper parts of myself, my relationships, and my life than I ever thought possible. Every step that I take is one step closer to the ultimate goal. While they all seem different, they are so interconnected.

Perhaps I come off as flighty. Perhaps people have seen my transitions, my growth, and see the differences. They say, "Mindy is chasing dreams," "Each dream is different," "What dream is she chasing this week."

Maybe they cannot see the interconnectedness. Why should they; I didn't even see the full picture until this weekend.

I've been a storyteller since I was kid. I love telling stories of some sort. So being a writer is natural to me. I don't want to write; rather I need to write. My chosen genre is stories of paranormal romance, but maybe I should delve into stories of chic lit or inspirational. (But this is a lesson for me to learn tomorrow). I write stories of heroes and heroines who must face problems bigger than themselves, who must learn lessons that they are able to get out of their situations, they are good enough, worthy enough; they are able to do anything!

I became an artist, seemingly out of nowhere. I created art based on encouraging phrases and images. Showing the viewer, you can do anything. You are good enough, worthy enough.

I combine the two and teach classes on art journaling, on using both written and visual forms of art to heal, to grow.

I became a business owner of my own Mobile Spa Business. I travel around and speak to women about how to take care of themselves, when we usually save ourselves for last. I'll get to me after I ______________ (take care of my spouse, the kids, my job, my house, etc). I tell them they are good enough, worthy enough to take a chance, to take care of themselves, to relax and be pampered and have "girl time" and they are able to do anything, like be the owner of their own business, making others feel great and helping them change lives!

I work for Mindy Blanchard 7 days out of the week and other companies fewer days out of the week. Whatever the title I use, the end result is the same. I help people. I help people feel good about themselves. I help people feel good about themselves no matter what we are doing!

Each path leads to this path. I live, learn, and love to write, create, and help others.

Anything is possible. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Are you ready to change your life?

Ask me how!

What's Next: Creating from the HeART.

I've decided that my art classes will be centered around one theme: Creating from the HeART. I never saw myself as a teacher. Give me a dark corner and a good book or a piece of paper to play with and I'm happiest. But art has opened up so much inside of me. It has changed my perspective, and I love talking about it, sharing it, inspiring others.

I am a predominantly self-taught artist. I have yet to sit in a classroom and learn the basics. There is so much that I want to learn, so much that I want to do. But regardless of what I cannot do, I can sit down to a blank piece of paper and use my experiences and emotions to create something that captures the essence of that moment. I want to share that. I want to help others to reach deep inside themselves and open up their world to incorporate more of creativity into their lives, be it through art, art journaling, writing, etc.



I have no intention of teaching anyone how to re-create what I create, or do things "this" way. My intention is to help people reach within themselves to find something to create that is directly from their heART.

So with that in mind, my next class will be: Art Journaling (Part 1), This is a two part class, wherein you can attend either class and still receive something from them, but they are intended to work together. There will be things discussed at both classes that will not be addressed in the other, but they are both in reference to art journaling, what it is, what it means, how it can be used, etc.

Part 1 is focused with how to choose the right substrate, how to get started, layouts, general products, layers, etc. Part 2 will take it one step further, teaching techniques on different elements, transfers, etc.

Part 1 Class Date: Sat., July 16, 2011 @ 9:30am
Where: Hobby Lobby Classroom in Lafayette, LA
Cost: $10 on day of class
(Bring two pictures)
*CLASS IS LIMITED TO 20 STUDENTS ONLY!
SIGN UP TODAY!! via email.

During the class you will be working on a two page layout based on whatever you would like. The two pictures you would be could be used for inspiration pieces (one or both) as a basis for completing your first journaling pages. Do not bring one of a kind originals; bring pictures that you do not mind altering, cutting, gluing, etc.



Part 2 will be announced at a later date. There will be enough time in between for you to venture out into the world, choose your book, and create as many pages as you like, letting that initial creativity move you.

I hope to see you there.

I tend to be a bit scatterbrained. I have too much going on and not sure where I'm going with it. I often cry out for help in figuring out how to manage my time better to include the balance that I so dearly wish for in my life.

This has led to putting my creativity on the backburner for a bit. Nothing drastic. I still work on my art when I feel like it; I just do not let it totally consume my free time.

I work too many hours a week. The rest of the time I want to fill with other things that I feel I've been neglecting:

I want to write but not necessarily get my head filled with the characters, storylines, backstories, etc of my regular paranormal romance stories. I just want to feel the keys flying under my fingers as I pour my words out onto the blank screen.

I want to exercise at least five times a week. I want to make healthier choices food wise and eat at home more. I want to learn how to COOK!

I want to focus on the business aspect of my: art, writing, beauticontrol, etc., and get better at doing the weekly business things that these ventures require me to do so that I'm not stuck killing myself around tax time trying to find receipts and papers and information when I have other things to do with my time. (Organization is key or so they say).

I want to focus on my spirituality and get to know God.

This is just a few. I will not bore you with the minutia.

Anyone who knows me, knows I usually have two books in my hand and at least one notebook to write it, at any given moment. Well, I usually can never find one of three pens or pencils in the bottom of my purse, but you know how that goes...sometimes I never have two things that work!

Lately I've been reading up a storm. Reading for the soul rather than reading the regular smut I love so much. (Though I started a smut book today - and I'm loving it). It all started because of the book I'm reading with my church's singles group, Lady in Waiting by Jackie Kendall and Debby Jones. I cannot express how this one book has changed my attitude since the first chapter.

I'm also reading passages from the Bible associated with the Bible study and just choosing different verses. Outside of catechism assignments, I'm not sure I ever looked inside of the Bible before. It's kinda daunting at first but I just take it one page at a time.

I'm reading The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Really good insight into the soul and into asking questions about what you are doing with your life and how you can make the changes necessary.

All of this book reading is taking a lot of time to get through (even for someone like me, who can read a 500 page novel in four hours). So I've set a schedule to map out my work schedule and days to do different chores and work on different aspects of my life (Workout, Bible Study, Drawing Exercises, Business, Writing).

I am using my blog to slowly get back into writing. I'm going through all of the drawing and art books I have purchased and I'm actually spending an hour every few days working on them (so much better than collecting dust). I have two hours a week to get the business in gear. I even schedule housework (don't laugh I hate doing it and I could really care less if it isn't done today). Yes I'm lazy, and doesn't that just explain it all.

My life worked better when I had a schedule, working two jobs, going to night school at UL. I had only a small window of opportunity to get things done, and I couldn't play around. Now I have so much time on my hands, I can't find the desire or time to do anything. It's weird how that works, huh?

I'm taking it all in, one bit at a time. The projects will get done at my own slow pace, which is better than not at all. It's getting better and less daunting, and I'm loving the changes I've made in my life.

I'm not turning into a holy-rolly. I'm just turning into a better version of me. It's quite a ride, and it sure beats the alternative.

Birchbox Favorite Finds

I really like to try new products that I can't afford; but I really really like to try it for only a fraction of the cost. I listen to 102.5 every morning on the way to and from work. Jenna gave a beauty tip one day about Birchbox. I was intrigued. So I researched it, and I thought what the heck, for I would try it for a few months and check it out.

Basically I pay $10 a month and they mail me a few beauty samples. I've received some pretty interesting products so far. Some I wouldn't ever buy for myself, but I like the perfume samples, eye shadow, hair products, etc.

Let's be honest, I could never afford this stuff. But its nice to try it out. The newest products I'm impressed with in my June box is the amika oil treatment for hair and laura geller makeup in apricot berry - love love love it.

So maybe you are like me and are interested in trying new products for a fraction of the cost. Or maybe you just want a tiny glimpse of how the "other" folks live. Whatever the reason, this is a cool idea; I'm always excited when I know its coming and when I receive it. It's like a mini-Christmas present to myself 12 months out of the year.

To find out more go to http://www.birchbox.com/ .

Don't forget about what's new in my life. The next art class will be TOMORROW. If you can make it to my neck of the woods, then I will see you there:

Artist Trading Card (ATC) Class by
MINDY BLANCHARD
Date: Sat., June 18, 2011 @ 10:30am
Where: Hobby Lobby Classroom in Lafayette, LA
Cost: $10 on day of class
(Includes goody bag with supplies to complete 2 ATCs)
Perfect for ages 6 - adulthood
*CLASS IS LIMITED TO 20 STUDENTS ONLY!
SIGN UP TODAY!!*

This is the last ATC class this season. Next up: art journaling!