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

Thirty New Paintings of Animals I Love

"An animal's eyes have the power 

to speak a great language."

~ Martin Buber

Here are the paintings I completed during the month of January 2014.

Spirit Guides and Animals I Love

8.5" x 6.5" Watercolors On Yupo Paper 

I am very excited to present this collage of artwork which represents my third 30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge series! Each number and title links to a larger view with painting prices, details and the symbolism associated with each animal. Because I'm envisioning these pieces will make some very interesting groupings, you will receive a discount on original paintings from this series in sets of three or more!  Just place your order through the PayPal shopping cart and I'll happily refund 10% of the total price of the artwork.

I'm also planning on offering prints in various sizes on a few of these images, based on popularity. If you'd be interested in a print of one or more of these paintings, please leave me a comment with the name or number in the comments section here or on the painting's individual blog entry. Some of these images have been tweaked since my first post, so please follow the links to see the current version. I'd really appreciate your input too. It will be very helpful in deciding which ones I may offer as prints.

1. Bison ~ Gratitude    2. Deer ~ Gentleness    3. Cardinal ~ Reincarnation

4.  Rooster ~ Confidence      5. Wolf ~ Family and Protection

6. Eagle ~ Inspiration      7. Frog ~ Abundance     8. Dog ~ Loyalty

9. Cat ~ Independence        10. Elephant ~ Ancient Power

11. Rabbit ~ Instinct      12. Hummingbird ~ Love      13. Turtle ~ Patience

14. Hawk ~ Courage      15. Crow ~ Protection      16. Fox ~ Observation

17. Owl ~ Wisdom      18. Horse ~ Power      19. Moose ~ Strength

20. Butterfly ~ Transformation      21. Bear ~ Knowledge

22. Dolphin ~ Playfulness   23. Unicorn ~ Passion   24. Pig ~ Intelligence

25. Heron ~ Focus    26. Squirrel ~ Foresight      27. Goat ~ Balance

28. Dragonfly ~ Magic    29. Groundhog ~ Dreams      30. Chickadee ~ Joy

"If all the beasts were gone, men would

die from a great loneliness of spirit, 

for whatever happens to the beasts 

also happens to the man.  All things are connected. 

 Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth. "

 ~ Chief Seattle

See my first 30 Paintings in 30 Days Series,
"Paintings Inspired By Quotes About Trees" 
January 2013.

My second 30 Paintings in 30 Days Series,
"Myths, Folk Tales and Legends" 
September 2013.

Remember, based on popularity, I plan on offering prints 

in various sizes on a few of these new animal paintings. 

Please pick your favorites and voice your opinions!

I appreciate your interest and support very much.

With Heartfelt Thanks,

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

Goat ~ Symbol of Strong Foundations and Flexibility

“That which yields is not always weak.”

~ Jacqueline Carey

Goat Spirit ~ New Perspectives Day 27 Agility ~ Confidence ~ Growth ~ Balance See painting specifications and price here.

Goat Spirit ~ New Perspectives

Day 27

Agility ~ Confidence ~ Growth ~ Balance

See painting specifications and price here.

As promised yesterday, here's a few in-progress shots

 for today's painting.

First Step - Paint the eyes.

 I re-painted this eye several times.

Goat's pupils are oblong rectangles,

enabling them to see at a 330 degree angle.

(We humans see about 185 degrees.)

Second Step -

Paint in light and medium mid-tones wet into wet.

Third Step -

The background swirls were added with thick juicy pigment.

Goat Spirit -  Full frame/ Uncropped

The painting was finished by blending, lifting and tickling

areas of pigment with a damp brush and adding a few

darker mid-tones and some line work to the goat.

I've been staying of-line, trying to get caught up because

I still want to repost day one. Today I painted the eye

of the animal I want to use for the first day.

Can you guess what it will be?

I just want to thank Leslie Saeta and say how much this 30 in 30 challenge has honed my skills once again. It has in no way been easy though! I am totally lucky to have a very supportive husband who has been chipping in and doing more than his fair share around here. I see a dramatic difference in my work over the past month and in the work of all my online friends doing the 30/30 who are also pushing their limits and dedicated to improving their craft. You all rock! As Crystal Cook would say, Huzzah! (Or something like that!)

I hope you are having a an awesomely productive day!

Thanks for all your wonderful comments. It means so much!
I will get over to check out your blogs soon, I promise.

X ♥  O