Surprise and Growth

"Unless you try to do something beyond

what you have already mastered, 

you will never grow."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I took off a couple of months from giving studio classes to pursue acrylic pouring. It is always exhilarating to expand the artist's toolbox and learn something new!! You never know how these babies are going to turn out! 

"The experience of surprise is a sign of one's readiness to grow."

~ Sidney Jourard

Thanks So Much for Stopping By and Happy Creating!

X ♥  O

How the Eagle Got Its Keen Eyesight ~ ~ # 11 of 30

"When you're experimenting

you have to try so many things

before you choose what you want,

and you may go days

getting nothing but exhaustion."

~Fred Astaire

Ok, here's yesterday's painting. I did two today, but was unhappy with one in the end, (after I kept experimenting and painted it to death), so tomorrow, once again, I need to do two keepers to catch up in the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" Challenge. Gosh, do you think I can do it?

This piece was inspired by the Native American legend of how the eagle got it's keen eyesight. According to a Kwakiutl legend, although eagle could fly to the highest treetops, he could not see all that well. One day the chief asked him to stand as sentinel in a high branch overlooking the river, watching for invading canoes. Not wanting to disappoint the chief, eagle agreed. Knowing that in those days, the slug had excellent vision, eagle convinced it to trade eyesight temporarily. Eagle preformed his duties for the chief impeccably and received praise and admiration from the whole tribe. Feeling very special and proud of himself, when slug asked, eagle refused to return his eyesight. So the eagle retained his sharp vision, while the slug was doomed to go on forever slowly groping his way through life.

#11 of 30 -

Myths, Fables, Folk Tales and Legends

Eagle's Keen Eyesight ~~~ 7.5" x 5.5" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo ~~~ Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 8" x 10" Signed and certified by the artist Purchase this painting here.

Eagle's Keen Eyesight

~~~ 7.5" x 5.5" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo ~~~

Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 8" x 10"

Signed and certified by the artist
Purchase this painting here.

Thanks for looking and for your feedback!

See you back here tomorrow, hopefully with two new paintings!

X ♥  O

Today's Experiment ~ A Looser Direct Approach to Watercolor

"With experimentation

comes surprise and discovery."

~ Kim Lee Kho

Today's larger watercolor was painted directly on Yupo paper with transparent watercolor without any preliminary pencil lines or even a rough thumbnail sketch. For the past year, since I shattered my ankle last April Fool's Day, I have painted primarily smaller works while seated. Today, while standing and painting larger, I rediscovered a whole body, dance like rhythm that's more freeing and relaxing. I don't think I could have done this same painting while seated.

I'm fairly happy with it, but I have a dilemma.

Do I leave it as is?

11.5  x 14.5"  ~ 16" x 20" Matted size

SOLD

Or should I add a little more to it? (foliage and/or vase, more pink and blue flowers in the upper left and/or lower right, etc.?)  I could go back in. It's easy enough to do on Yupo, unlike traditional cotton rag watercolor paper. Sometimes it's hard to know when to stop though. I'm always hearing that little voice saying; "less is more".

Cropped to 12" x 16" matted size

Or do I just crop it and move on?

I'm seeking the help of some of you awesome artists out there! Lately the feeling of isolation from other creative types is starting to get me down. Your camaraderie and suggestions for improving this piece would go a long way in cheering me up. Thanks for your time and input in advance. I love you guys. You know who you are!

P.S. I hate to be a pain, but I'm also looking for suggestions for a title for this one. ☺

X ♥ O