Never Lose Interest

“The best cure for being sad,"
replied Merlin, "is to learn something. 

That's the only thing that never fails. 
You may grow old and trembling 

in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night 
listening to the disorder of your veins, 

you may miss your only love, 

you may see the world about you 
devastated by evil lunatics, 

or know your honor is trampled 
in the sewers of baser minds. 

There is only one thing, 
one remedy for it then; to learn. 

Learn why the world wags and what wags it. 

That is the only thing which the mind can 
never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, 

never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting. 

Learning is the only thing for you. 

Look what a great lot of things there are to learn.”
~ T.H. White, The Once and Future King

~~~ 

 Curiosity and Optimism 

with Black Backing

with White Backing

with Beige Backing

I am offering these framed, hand painted, one of a kind tiles at a special pre-purchase price of $99.99 until midnight February 3rd, 2016 when the price will go up to $149.99.

 Go here to see more about painting number ten of my January 2016, 30 Paintings in 30 Days Collection; alcohol ink paintings on black tiles.

We're one third of the way through the challenge now!

The First Ten Days ~ 30 in 30 ~ January 2016

Thanks for following my posts and for commenting.
I really appreciate your friendship.

Have a great Sunday. See you back here tomorrow!

X ♥  O

Watch With Glittering Eyes

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes

 the whole world around you because 

the greatest secrets are always hidden 

in the most unlikely places. 

Those who don't believe in magic 

will never find it.”
~ Roald Dahl

~~~ 

Hidden Secrets

with Black Backing

with White Backing

with Beige Backing

Go here to see more about painting number nine of my January 2016, 30 Paintings in 30 Days Collection; alcohol ink paintings on black tiles.

I am offering these framed, hand painted, one of a kind tiles at a special pre-purchase price of $99.99 until midnight February 3rd, 2016 when the price will go up to $149.99. The tiles will be framed and shipped the week of February 8th, 2016. Each painting will also come with a surprise, bonus gift of my choosing (until February 3rd, with 10% off multiple pieces).

This unique one of a kind painting will make a memorable gift for Valentine's Day, birthday, wedding or anniversary and will add an elegant touch to any decor.

Thanks for following my daily posts, commenting and joining the fun.

Have a great Saturday. See you back here tomorrow!

X ♥  O

The Source Of Art

“The most beautiful thing we
can experience is the mysterious.
It is the source of all true art and science.
He to whom the emotion is a stranger,
who can no longer pause to wonder
and stand wrapped in awe,
is as good as dead —his eyes are closed.
The insight into the mystery of life,
coupled though it be with fear,
has also given rise to religion.
To know what is impenetrable
to us really exists,
manifesting itself as the highest wisdom
and the most radiant beauty,
which our dull faculties can comprehend
only in their most primitive forms.
This knowledge, this feeling, is at
the center of true religiousness.” ~ Albert Einstein

~~~

The Mystery ~ Available

with Black Backing

with White Backing

with Beige Backing

Here is my painting for day eight in the 7th 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge, January 2016. I hope you take a moment or two to give me some feedback on my collection so far. This piece is available for a limited time at the special pre-purchase price of $99.99 here.

Follow me on Facebook  /  Join my Yupo Artists Group

Wishing You A Wonderful Day,
Full Of Beauty and Inspiration!

X ♥  O

Childlike Enchantment

“A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful,

full or wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune

that for most of us, that clear-eyed vision, that true

instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring,

is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood.

~~~~~~~~ 

If I had influence with the good fairy who is

supposed to preside over the christening of all children,

I should ask that her gift to each child in the world

be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last

throughout life, as an unfailing antidote against the

boredom and disenchantment of later years…

the alienation from the sources of our strength.”

~ Rachel Carson

~~~ 

A Sense of Wonder ~ Available

with Black Backing

with White Backing

with Beige Backing

Go here to see more about painting number seven of my January 2016, 30 Paintings in 30 Days Collection; alcohol ink paintings on black tiles.

The tile pictured above is 4 x 4" and the elegant "black tie affair" frame is 6 x 6" with an overall outside dimension of 10 x 10". It will come signed, certified, sealed, delivered and ready to hang.The linen textured art mounting board is available in either black, white or beige, depending on your preference.

I am offering these framed, hand painted, one of a kind tiles at a special pre-purchase price of $99.99 until midnight February 3rd, 2016 when the price will go up to $149.99. The tiles will be framed and will be shipped the week of February 8th, 2016. Each painting will also come with a surprise, bonus gift of my choosing (until February 1st, with 10% off multiple pieces).

These unique hand painted artworks will make memorable Valentine's Day, birthday, wedding and anniversary gifts and will add a touch of class to any decor.

Thanks for following my daily posts, commenting and joining the fun.

See you back here tomorrow!

X ♥  O

The Moon Understands

““The moon is a loyal companion.
It never leaves. It’s always there,
watching, steadfast, knowing us
in our light and dark moments,
changing forever just as we do. 
Every day it’s a different version of itself.
Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong
and full of light. The moon understands
what it means to be human. Uncertain. Alone.
Cratered by imperfections.”
 ~ Tahereh Mafi 
~~~~

 Loyal Companion ~ Available

~~~~ 

with Black Backing

with White Backing

with Beige Backing

Go here to see more about painting number six of my January 2016, 30 Paintings in 30 Days Collection; framed alcohol ink paintings on black tiles.

These pieces will look great hung together in sets! Until 2/1/16,
I'm offering a 10% discount on two or more purchased at the same time.

 Please follow my daily posts, give me some feedback and join the fun!

Thanks so much for your friendship and encouragement.
You know who you are and I truly can't thank you enough!

X ♥  O

2013 Was A Very Yupo Year

"There is no harm
in repeating a good thing."
~ Plato

I just finished this painting and it is headed up to NYC to be included in

the corporate collection and gallery display of Legion Paper.

You can see snapshots of my trip to Legion Paper

and my Yupo Paper Demonstration on facebook.

See my NYC 2014 Spring Demo Schedule here.

Starry Starry Moonlit Night

11.5" x 14.5" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper

Signed and certified by Sandy Sandy

Corporate Collection, Legion Paper, NY, NY

• SOLD

Marketing Director, Marc Schotland, liked my "swirl series",

so I did several versions and this is the one he chose.

Looking back, it has been a Very Yupo Year!

I never dreamed that I'd paint over 160 "keeper" watercolors

on the slick synthetic surface in 2013. My success was largely

facilitated by the jump start I got listening to the Leslie's AHA

blog casts and participating in Ms. Saeta's 30 in 30 challenges.

In January 2014, I'll be doing my third

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge with Leslie Saeta

along with over 200 awesome artists worldwide.

I'm getting a little nervous though, because I'm still not
sure what my next month's theme will be.

In January 2013, I did "Paintings Inspired by Quotes About Trees"

and in September I did, "Legends, Myths and Folktales".

If you've got any ideas or suggestions, I'm all ears!

Follow along, come join in the fun and paint if you have the gumption.
In any case, wish us all luck and stick-to-a-tive-nous!

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Oh, one last thing, I'd really appreciate a small favor tonight.

Please share my work and spread the word about my 

year end studio sale to your family and friends.

It would mean so much to me.

X ♥  O

THANKS FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP!

Best Wishes Always to You and Yours

Poplar ~ Tree of the Autumnal Equinox ~ # 22 of 30 ~SOLD

“Autumn is a second spring

when every leaf is a flower.”

~ Albert Camus

Today marks the autumn equinox this year. Equinox means "equal night" and on March 21st and Sept. 22nd, 2013, the day and night are of equal length. The autumnal equinox traditionally has been a time of harvest and thanksgiving. Spiritually, it is a celebration of "going within", preparing for the darkness and a kind of symbolic death and resurrection. Now daylight will continue to decline until December 21st, marking the winter solstice, when the days once again slowly begin to get longer. Throughout the history of mankind, many legends, rituals and beliefs are centered around the changing of the seasons. There are as many varied beliefs as there are cultures. One of the most interesting I found was the Celtic Connection of the Autumnal Equinox to the Poplar Tree. Do you know of any you'd like to share?

#22 of 30

Myths, Fables, Folk Tales and Legends

Moving into the Dark 4" x 6" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 5" x 7" Signed and certified by the artist.

Moving into the Dark

4" x 6" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper

Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 5" x 7"

Signed and certified by the artist.

• SOLD

“But then fall comes,

kicking summer out on its treacherous ass

as it always does one day sometime after the midpoint of September,

it stays awhile like an old friend that you have missed.

It settles in the way an old friend will settle into your favorite chair

and take out his pipe and light it and then fill the afternoon with

stories of places he has been and things he has done

since last he saw you.”

~ Stephen King

Many thanks to Katherine Thomas for suggesting the subject of today's legend.

Happy fall y'all!