Cat ~ Symbol of Self-Confidence and Independence ~ SOLD

"Cats are the masters of versatility,

adaptability and extremes."

  

Cat Spirit ~ Mysterious Intelligence Day 9 Independence  ~  Curiosity  ~  Healing  ~  Magic 8.5 x 6.5" Hand Painted Watercolor on Yupo Paper Matted and Framed to 10" x 8" • SOLD

Cat Spirit ~ Mysterious Intelligence

Day 9

Independence  ~  Curiosity  ~  Healing  ~  Magic

8.5 x 6.5" Hand Painted Watercolor on Yupo Paper

Matted and Framed to 10" x 8"

• SOLD

"With their qualities of cleanliness, discretion,

affection, patience, dignity, and courage,

how many of us, I ask you, would be

capable of becoming cats?"

~ Fernand Mery

“In ancient times, cats were worshipped as gods;

they have not forgotten this.”

~ Terry Pratchett

Today is day nine! Tomorrow we are 1/3 of the way through

the 30/30 painting challenge. I was hoping to keep these little paintings simple, but it seems my muse has other plans. This one took way longer than I anticipated. Ugh!

See you back here tomorrow for #10!

How's everybody holding up? 

X ♥  O

Dog ~ Symbol of Loyalty and Friendship

"A dog's loving spirit is very strong.

Even if abused, dog's faithfulness

is not easily broken."

Dog Spirit ~ Unconditional Love Day 8 Faithful  ~  Protection  ~  Playful  ~  Affection  8.5 x 6.5" Original Watercolor on Yupo Paper Matted and Framed to 10" x 8"

Dog Spirit ~ Unconditional Love

Day 8

Faithful  ~  Protection  ~  Playful  ~  Affection 

8.5 x 6.5" Original Watercolor on Yupo Paper

Matted and Framed to 10" x 8"

Painting Options

painting only $99.00 USD art matted w/ backing $105.00 USD art matted + Framed - Med. Wood $135.00 USD

It's important to study the attributes of the individual breeds which you are attracted to. This will enable you to better understand the dog's spirit guidance in your life.

See you back here tomorrow if my muse is willing.

Thanks for for stopping by.

Your emails and comments are

always greatly appreciated.

“If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die I want to go where they went.” ~ Will Rogers

X ♥  O

Wolf ~ Symbol of Protection and Wisdom

"Wolf howls to remind us that we must
balance the needs of family and others

without neglecting the needs
and freedoms of ourselves."

Wolf Spirit ~ Ancient Energies Day 5 Freedom  ~  Family  ~  Teacher  ~  Student 8.5 x 6.5" Hand Painted Watercolor on Yupo Paper Matted and Framed to 10" x 8" •Sold

Wolf Spirit ~ Ancient Energies

Day 5

Freedom  ~  Family  ~  Teacher  ~  Student

8.5 x 6.5" Hand Painted Watercolor on Yupo Paper

Matted and Framed to 10" x 8" •Sold

Here's a picture of our little darlings, Cutie Pye and Opie, in their big dog bed. They were always fighting over the bed until I added two separate cat beds on top. Now they can sleep together, but each have their own space, so they are as happy as two peas in a pod. No matter where he sleeps, Opie always has one or more arms hanging over the edge.

Have a nice night and I'll see you back here tomorrow

if my creative muse is willing!

Thanks for your friendship and for stopping by!

Your emails, pep talks and comments are

always greatly appreciated.

X ♥  O

Rooster ~ Symbol of Confidence and Opportunity ~ SOLD

"Rooster's wake up call is

that it's time to stop procrastinating!

Build your confidence and personal strengths

by taking advantage of career building opportunities."

Rooster Spirit ~ Vigilant Brilliance Day 4 Strength  ~  Illumination  ~  Devotion  ~  Recognition 8.5 x 6.5" Hand Painted Watercolor on Yupo Paper Matted and Framed to 10" x 8"

• SOLD

Rooster Spirit ~ Vigilant Brilliance

Day 4

Strength  ~  Illumination  ~  Devotion  ~  Recognition

8.5 x 6.5" Hand Painted Watercolor on Yupo Paper

Matted and Framed to 10" x 8"

I am fairly happy with today's painting. And I may be coming to terms with my muse and how I can unify the set!  YAY! 

I know that some of you, myself included, are getting frustrated by the fact that at some point(s) in the challenge we have to post work that we are not 100% sure of or happy with (understatement). Completing a painting everyday and pushing our comfort zone and limits, the suckage is just bound to happen! And that's a good thing, right, because it shows we are making mistakes and growing. We learn by our mistakes, remember?  At some time(s) during this challenge, you may have to post the suckage or drop out. Or you can change the rules for yourself so that you feel better. If you are OK with that, by all means, do it, however I am not. I'd rather sacrifice my pride, show my suckage, talk about my angst and share my struggle for all the world to see. To myself and all you other 30/30's needing a shot in the arm, I say, "Who cares, post the suckage and swallow your foolish pride. If you don't, you are only hurting yourself."

I'd be interested to hear your take on the 30/30 Challenge, growth, making mistakes, posting suckage and whether or not you agree with me.

"We artists find great fulfillment in pursuing our craft,

but we are always dissatisfied with the results,

which pushes us toward growth and excellence."

~ Steve Easterwood 

Thanks for your friendship and for stopping by, ladies.

Your emails, pep talks and comments are always appreciated.

X ♥  O

Sitting Pretty - Camouflage, Patience and Observation ~ SOLD

Sitting Pretty

5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper matted to fit a standard 8" x 10" frame

Sold •

Do you have animal totems? Or should I say, do you believe in animal totems? Since I got very little response to yesterday's post, I was wondering if anyone here is interested in the subject at all.

Regardless of the lack of interest or feedback online, the fox has still been with me all this month. Although no real life individuals have showed up here at The Sandarosa, I find myself being lured by fox's charm and now have two more of these watercolors in progress. I want to make a collage of my foxes like the one for the 30 in 30 Challenge when I'm done with the set. A nice comment on my Animal Spirit Lens today sent me there for a long overdue visit. Although I've learned a lot about photography and Photoshop the past four years, I fear that delving too deeply into the world of stock photography has had a toll on my watercolor art and marketing. The fox is a very suitable totem for me at this time because of all the industry shake ups that are presently going on in the world of micro stock. Current events leave me questioning my path, evaluating options and altering my career path yet again. Sound familiar anyone? It hasn't got me worried though, because I know that when one door closes, another always opens. Fox is here to remind me of the virtues of camouflage, patience and observation.

I started painting on synthetic Yupo paper about fourteen years ago, but switched back to regular cold press Arches in an effort to consolidate my style. Profoundly influenced by last month's challenge, Yupo paper has been the vehicle of choice for my paintings so far in February. After all this time, some of the  Yupo pieces I've done in the past, remain some of my favorites. Here are a few from my archives. What do you think of them? Your critiques are appreciated.

Be sure to visit my last post and leave a comment if you are interested in having your name added to the drawing for a free copy of my Animal Spirits book.

Thanks for reading and please share 

my book giveaway with your friends.

Best Wishes,

Fox Medicine - SOLD

"Nature is my medicine."

~ Sara Moss-Wolfe

Fox Medicine

5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted to 8" x 10" - $85.

acid free, white core mat with a foam core backing in an acetate sleeve

ready to fit into a standard 8" x 10" frame.

• SOLD

A special thanks goes out to Sally Vennel

for the use of her fox photography for painting reference.

Fox medicine teaches us about camouflage, observation and ingenuity. If fox has come into your life, pay attention. It may be a time to step back, regroup and plan a new strategy. Kicking off spring, I am having a book giveaway! To be eligible to win one of my Animal Spirits books, just leave a comment here on this post.

An Awakening to the Presence of Animal Spirits is a simplified guide book with full color illustrations that feature over sixty popular animals. Enjoyed by nature lovers with an open mind, the text and images help readers to become more aware of animal totems and the messages they offer us daily. 

Every time you comment on a post on this blog between now and the closing, you get another chance to win! The winner of this drawing will be generated by random.org at 12:00, noon, EST this Spring Equinox, March 20th, 2013 and is open to all residents of the USA and Canada. 

Thanks for reading my blog and adding your comments.

Lets all get to know each other better in 2013.

Have a great day and please share 

this giveaway with your friends!

Luminous Eyes ~ SOLD

"Who can believe that there is no soul

behind those luminous eyes!"

~ Theophile Gautier

Luminous Eyes

5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted to 8" x 10" - $85.

mats- (acid-free - white core) with foam core backing in an acetate sleeve

ready to fit into a standard 8" x 10" frame.

• SOLD

Here is today's watercolor painting on Yupo paper.

The drawing for this fox took me forever,

but the painting was a breeze.

It surprised me and flowed right off the brushes.

I just love when that happens!

Thanks for looking!
As always, your feedback is appreciated.

Have a happy, relaxing and creative weekend!

X ♥  O