06.2026 - May Studio Update
Art, longing, and other ongoing projects. Join an an art class: Cheaper than therapy
The worst part of all of it is never knowing if you are making the right choices.
I keep my goals so large,
And abstract that it simply doesn’t make sense to attach to anything
I live with myself and I find myself fleeting.
By the time I catch up with where I am
My mind is already elsewhere
Free coffee in the lobby
I have to stop paint thinner at night
Actionable deliverable outcomes
Aggressive prioritization
I’ve moved to a new side of the cube
Should I paint at my easel or stand?
I guess I’ll never know if I made the right choice
And that is the beauty of it all
I keep my hands and mind busy before
The longing can find me again
Cows chew on the meadow
In a newfound openness I cannot explain
There’s a secret bird society outside my window
The hills give the sun a place to rest its head
I was never in control of the choices to begin with.
Studio Practice & New Work
Commission Placed with Collectors
Rocco
This commission was really fun to paint, I loved his fur!! Through interpretation of the background I have been trying to create a spiritual liminal space for the cat portraits to live. This is my 3rd cat commission and this is my favorite one yet because of the teal background, white fur and the white frame. I love how the frame acts as an extension of the painting itself.
Work Placed with Collectors
His Love
Divine
In Progress
Johnny’s Hands (unnamed)
Conversation with God
Exhibitions & Milestones
2nd Publication of Vantage Magazine
My work was selected to be featured in the 2nd publication of vantage! The second issue of Vantage Magazine which is a Detroit-based arts publication bridging local creatives and their community, officially debuted at the Detroit Zine Fest this month!
Order 2nd edition here!
Check out their substack here: VANTAGE MAGAZINE
Led watercolor classes
May 8th, Lake Michigan class
So many new faces attended the lake Michigan watercolor class! My favorite crowd came in, you know the ones that say “I can’t even draw a stick figure”. People came in because their friend dragged them in and they walked away with a piece of art they are proud of.
May 22nd, Cross class
The cross class was a private event and it was so wholesome getting to work with everyone intimately. This class was extremely attentive and kind. My favorite part of this class is that we put scriptures in a bag and then everyone pulled one out at random. At the end of the painting everyone included their scripture somewhere in the painting and even taped the card onto the back. This class felt like a release.
Upcoming
Painting a wildflower meadow June 5th from 7 to 9pm
I have been loving hosting watercolor classes in macomb and meeting so many new people. Hosting classes for the Spring and into the summer has brought me so much Joy.
However, these next two classes will be my last in Macomb for the time being. Friday, June 5th from 7 to 9pm we will be painting a wildflower meadow.
If you are looking to join use this link and don’t forget to invite friends: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLAK83P4JG41F/checkout/ULMIGEZAVVC4QIQDXGI44ABC
As of writing this and posting, there are 17 seats left out of 26 and 6 days until the class
and for my last class at The Painthouse I had a cool idea to paint a 2016 sky. Can you believe the summer of 2016 was 10 years ago? This class is exactly what I need to express my existential dread because it is cheaper than Therapy. We will listen to summer 2016 music and have all the brow blindness.
The link isn’t out yet but mark your calendar for July 10th 7 to 9pm.
Collecting and Contact
If you’re interested in collecting available works or previewing pieces currently in progress, you can reach me directly at daniellepaganoart@gmail.com
I have attached my commission calendar here with my bookings for current commissions
Please email me if you would like to fit your commission on my calendar or book me for a private painting event.
Thank you for following my work and being part of this moment in my practice.
Continuing to expand,
Danielle
Random Thought
I recently finished The New Oil Painting by Kimberly Brooks and I had to accept something that I really have been avoiding. It’s time to stop the paint thinner. I had to look myself in the mirror and remind myself I love my life and I love my organs. Paint thinner is a slow killer and I am currently sleeping in the same place that I paint….
In the book she details her painting set up and how she thins her paint using marble dust. This is a truth I have been avoiding as long as I can and a bad habit it breaks my heart to ditch. I am going to have to get used to a new routine and that is okay. If you or anyone you know is a serious oil painter, this book is worth looking at.
Exhibit A:
Multi-organ toxicity and death following acute unintentional inhalation of paint thinner fumes