Don't Stop Playing!

"We don't stop playing because we grow old;

we grow old because we stop playing."

~ George Bernard Shaw

Dolphin Spirit ~ Natural Rhythms

Social ~ Relaxation ~ Exercise ~ Exuberance

~  8.5 x 6.5" Hand Painted Watercolor on Yupo Paper

Matted and Framed to 10" x 8"

Here's a few in-progress shots for today's painting.

First Step - Paint the eyes and body.

Because I wanted the dolphin lighter than the

background, I started with light to medium mid-tones.

Second Step -

The background wash and swirls were added.

Third Step -

As in previous posts, the painting was finished

by adding the calligraphy, lifting a little pigment

here and there and adding a few darks and darker mid-tones.

Dolphion Spirit -  Full frame/ Uncropped

Thanks again for all the comments and emails
from old friends and new!

I hope you are having a playful day.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

X ♥  O

Blue Jay ~ Symbol of Communication and Action

"Effective communication is 20% what you know

and 80% is how you feel about what you know."

~ Jim Rohn

Blue Jay Spirit ~ Finding Your Voice

matted view

Resourcefulness ~ Adaptability ~ Attainment

See painting specifications and price here.

Blue Jay Spirit -  Full frame/ Uncropped

Since posting the PayPal buy links yesterday, four paintings have sold. Yay! I thought you might be interested in the steps involved in getting these guys ready to move to their new homes.

After signing, a couple of light coats of Clear Acrylic (to seal the watercolor to the Yupo paper) are done on cardboard out on the studio porch. 

Each painting is signed and ID'd on the back in permanent ink also.  It's important to write "original watercolor" because somewhere down the line someone just may not know. I also make a color xerox copy of each piece with their ID # and or date on it and file it in the appropriate folder before it leaves the studio.

Next time, I'll share the following steps in finishing these for shipment.

I am missing all my online buddies from the 30/30! 

Hope you are all having a colorful day!

X ♥  O

Bison ~ Symbol of Gratitude and Abundance ~SOLD

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for 

every good thing that comes to you 

and give thanks continuously. 

And because all things have

contributed to your advancement, 

you should include all things in your gratitude.” 

 ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Buffalo Spirit ~ Great Soul Day 1 Action ~ Appreciation ~ Amplitude ~ Plenty ~  8.5 x 6.5" Transparent Watercolor on Yupo Paper  ~ Signed, Matted and Framed to 10" x 8" • SOLD

Buffalo Spirit ~ Great Soul

Day 1

Action ~ Appreciation ~ Amplitude ~ Plenty

~  8.5 x 6.5" Transparent Watercolor on Yupo Paper  ~

Signed, Matted and Framed to 10" x 8"

• SOLD

Here is the last painting of this month's 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. The definition of "challenge" in the dictionary is "a call to take part in a contest or competition that tests one's abilities." And boy have we been tested! This is the third time I've participated in this online event and much to my surprise, it has not gotten any easier. I was faced with many obstacles to overcome almost everyday. I had a rough start this time, so I am using this as Day One's submission.

It seems so fitting to wrap up this month long series with the buffalo. This animal is one of my favorite symbols of thankfulness. I can't express enough just how grateful I am for the opportunity to be able to participate in this event, pursue my passion, grow as an artist and to connect with so many great people in the process.

Here are some in-progress shots of today's painting.

First Step - Paint the eyes.

 In some cases, I'm finding a need to put in some of

the area surrounding the eye in order to get the values correct.

This one evolved a little differently, 

so I just went with the flow.

Instead of working all over the area at once, 

I seemed to work in sections on this one.

Buffalo Spirit -  Full frame/ Uncropped

In the final step, the background was added 

and details were refined.

Here are all thirty paintings. 

This weekend I will post numbers and links with BUY buttons

to all thirty paintings, just like I did for my last

 30/30 series in September 2013. 

The participating artists are all posting their collages today.

Check them out on Leslie Saeta's blog here.

I can't thank you enough for all your wonderful comments.

I am truly grateful for your friendship. It really means so much!

X ♥  O

Chickadee ~ Symbol of Understanding and Higher Truth

“Any fool can know. 

The point is to understand.” 

~ Albert Einstein

Chickadee Spirit ~ Cheerful Attitudes Day 30 Joy ~ Expression ~ Fearless ~ Individuality See painting specifications and price here. ~~~~~~~

Chickadee Spirit ~ Cheerful Attitudes

Day 30

Joy ~ Expression ~ Fearless ~ Individuality

See painting specifications and price here.

~~~~~~~

Today is day 30 and this is the second painting I did today. I was unhappy with my first attempt, so I started this one late and have no progress shots to share. Tomorrow I plan on finishing up my substitute for day one and posting a collage of all 30 paintings I completed during the challenge.  I hope you'll join me back here then.

Chickadee Spirit -  Full frame/ Uncropped

Thanks so much for stopping by. 

Your comments are always appreciated.

X ♥  O

Groundhog ~ Symbol of Lucid Dreaming

“Dreams are the liberation of the spirit from

 the pressure of external nature, a detachment 

of the soul from the fetters of matter.” 

~  Sigmund Freud

Groundhog Spirit ~ Higher Consciousness Day 29 Mystery ~ Unconscious ~ Awakening ~ Revelation ~ 8.5 x 6.5" Hand Painted Watercolor on Yupo Paper Matted and Framed to 10" x 8" ~~~~~~~

Groundhog Spirit ~ Higher Consciousness

Day 29

Mystery ~ Unconscious ~ Awakening ~ Revelation

~ 8.5 x 6.5" Hand Painted Watercolor on Yupo Paper

Matted and Framed to 10" x 8"

~~~~~~~

Here's a few in-progress shots for today's painting.

The steps are the same as in the previous posts.

So, instead of me being redundant, take a look at the 

past few posts and you'll know what's going on. 

Groundhog Spirit -  Full frame/ Uncropped

I can't believe there is only one day left of the challenge!

I will be posting two more paintings, until Friday the 31st.

This month has been a blur. It's a really good blur though,

full of color, growth, excitement, new friends 

and renewed passions.

I hope you'll meet me back here tomorrow for more thoughts on the 30/30 challenge, a new painting and plans of new adventures. 

I wonder if the groundhog will see his shadow this Sunday. 

Will we have six more weeks of winter or what?

Any guesses? 

As always, thanks so much for dropping in.

I really appreciate all your great comments.

X ♥  O