Spirituality (Day 20)

It is not art in the professionalized sense 

about which I care,

but that which is created sacredly, 

as a result of a deep inner experience, 

with all of oneself 
and that becomes 'art' in time. 

~ Alfred Stieglitz

~~~~~~~~~~Legend of the Dreamcatcher~~~~~~~~~~

Alcohol Inks and Watercolor on Yupo paper

See painting specifications and price here.

I have been on the search for "Spirit" in my life and in my art process for many years. From my personal collaboration of different beliefs, mainly found in earth based primitive cultures, I find my comfort and my inspiration. Many of the beliefs and stories of the Native American tribes of North America express my inner most feelings and resinate with a deep ancient truth in my being. Since June of 2000, after a series of life changing events, I believe that "Spirit" has had a heavy hand in shaping my voice in art. I try to stay receptive to the flow and ask for guidance and enlightenment along my path. Ideally, through my art metaphorically, I become and continue to be the spirit warrior, on the hunt for spirit knowledge.

"Art is something about the spirit. If you want to make something that has a spirit, and speaks to the spirit of other people in the world, you have to touch it; you have to physically address it. If you don't; if you just crank it out, it becomes merely a product." ~ Shary Boyle

X ♥  O

Frog Spirit ~ Symbol of Transformation and Prosperity

"Frog is associated with water

and its voice is said to call forth the rain."

Frog Spirit ~ Magical Transformation Day 7 Abundance  ~  Fertility  ~  Cleansing  ~  Prosperity 8.5 x 6.5" Hand Painted Watercolor on Yupo Paper Matted and Framed to 10" x 8"

Frog Spirit ~ Magical Transformation Day 7 Abundance  ~  Fertility  ~  Cleansing  ~  Prosperity 8.5 x 6.5" Hand Painted Watercolor on Yupo Paper Matted and Framed to 10" x 8"

Frog Spirit ~ Magical Transformation

Day 7

Abundance  ~  Fertility  ~  Cleansing  ~  Prosperity

8.5 x 6.5" Hand Painted 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 was - 4 here this morning!

Tonight it warmed up and is now

10 degrees. It's a regular heat wave!

Stay warm and have a good night! 

X ♥  O

Eagle ~ Symbol of Vision and Spirit

"Eagle signals the rebirth of creative passion,

demonstrated by strength and grace

which is achieved through her
willingness to persevere,
in spite of all obstacles."

Eagle Spirit ~ Visionary Messenger

Day 6

Passion  ~  Creativity  ~  Inspiration  ~  Power

See Painting specifications and price here.

I had an encounter with two dancing eagles a couple of weeks ago, coincidentally (or not),on Winter Solstice. 

The spiritual connection and inspirational energy was overwhelming. Soaring eagle prenuptial displays were sending me messages to listen to my intuition, reclaim my power and follow my passion. 

Today's painting was done from this photo.

I was not surprised when it went smoothly.

"If you have a vision, do something with it."

~ Anthony J. D'Angelo

Thanks For Your Friendship, Emails and Comments.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT!

Best Wishes Always!

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

Sunflower Spirit ~ Capturing the Essence

"Capture the spirit

and essence of your subject

and show me why it is important to you."

~ Keith Bond

Sunflower Spirit

SOLD

Today's FineArtViews article by Keith Bond was about impersonation and authenticity. It is a subject very close to my heart. Originality in the interpretation of my subject is something I strive for everyday. Keith writes, "Don’t be an impersonator (and slavishly copy a subject from life or from a photo). Be authentic. Be real. Be yourself. Create art that means something to you, so it can also mean something to the viewer." For me, it is the only road to happiness and the key to finding my true inner voice as an artist.

"If you observe a really happy man you will find him building a boat, writing a symphony, educating his son, growing double dahlias in his garden, or looking for dinosaur eggs in the Gobi desert.  He will not be searching for happiness as if it were a collar button that has rolled under the radiator.  He will not be striving for it as a goal in itself.  He will have become aware that he is happy in the course of living life twenty-four crowded hours of the day." ~ W. Beran Wolfe

Wishing You Many Blessings and Authentic Happiness,

X ♥ O

A Gift From Spirit ~ Whitetail Fawns

"In stillness I hear Spirit's voice, not universal clutter." Rev Kathy Graves

A Gift From Spirit

Whitetail Fawn Painting

16" x 20" ~ Double Matted and Framed

silver level ~ original watercolor ~ $399.00

I am posting this older painting here today as part of Leslie Saeta's 30 Day Marketing Challenge.

This was painted while recovering from my injury and is very symbolic in content, design and colors. The green symbolizes growth, abundance and a fresh approach to life. The purple antlers symbolize spiritual development, power and wisdom.

To buy this painting or view more of my older Spirit Art Work, go to my Spirit Art Gallery. See a sample of my burl- wood frames here.

On March 23rd, 2007, I got bucked off my horse in the woods and took my first ever ambulance ride. I landed on my left shoulder and was hoping it was just badly dislocated, but after over three hours in the Emergency Room, I found out I had a broken humerus.There was nothing humorous about it! Fortunately it was the left arm and I was still able to draw and paint during my recovery. My accident provided a great revelation and showed me how important it was to slow down in order to grow spiritually. I have concrete evidence that Universal Guidance was largely at play that day.

That morning while out taking care of the horses, I was presented with two large matching antler sheds at the edge of the woods. They were gifted to me side by side in a most unusual and deliberate placement.They were found on the East side of my property, symbolizing new beginnings. They were facing North which represents wisdom. The number two represents patience and as in all antlered species,the deer's rack is symbolic of antennae which provide heightened perception and a connection to the divine. It was not until my healing got under way that I could see that my accident was truly a powerful gift from spirit.

"Perhaps this is your time to think, to rest, meditation time to learn more oneness with the Universe." ~Jean Kitchens

"Busy keeps us from spirit's whisper." ~ Rev Kathy Graves

Thanks for stopping by.
As always, your comments are most appreciated!

Have a GREAT DAY!!

X ♥ O

Secretariat, A Horse With Heart

Last night I watched the 2010 biographical movie, Secretariat. The action packed true story told of the events and life of "Big Red" leading up to and including his remarkable 31 length win at the Belmont Stakes, making him the 1973 Triple Crown winner. After watching the film, I  went online to research the facts of Secretariat's story on Wikipedia and found that the truth had been told.  In the Kentucky Derby, his track record still stands. Thirty seven years later, "Red" still holds the world record for his speed at Belmont, 1½ miles on dirt in 2:24 flat. Secretariat sired over 600 foals in his lifetime, so his legacy lives on in the lineage of thousands of horses today. In 1989, Secretariat was put down at the young age of 19 for laminitis. He was mourned by millions. When a necropsy was performed, it was found that Secretariat's heart was huge! It was about 22 lbs. and built like a perfect machine. It was almost two and a half times the size of an average horse of his proportion. This occasionally occurs in Thoroughbreds and has been linked to a genetic condition passed down by the dam calked the X-factor. So when people say Secretariat was a "horse with heart", they couldn't be more correct. Not only was he physically superior, but he also had the mind and the rare elusive spirit of a true champion.

This photo is in the public domain and is from Wikimedia Commons.