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

Cardinal ~ Symbol of Creativity and Family

"The Cardinal's color is part of its message

and can signal a time of heightened awareness,

greater creativity and more satisfaction in your life."

Cardinal Spirit ~ Man In The Mask
Day 3 

Illumination  ~  Creativity  ~  Family  ~  Reincarnation

See painting specifications and price here.
~~~~~~~~

I was hoping to get a cohesive series this month, but it looks like my creative muse has other plans! At this point, I guess I'll just switch gears and settle for a month of experimentation and exploration! 

"Art is a path on which we honor our world.

 Art may not be the only path, but it is a good path,

 even though at times a difficult one. As bearers of

 this honor, we artists do not need to simply 

 render our world as we see it 

 but as we might ourselves redesign it." 

 ~ Robert Genn 

Thanks again for stopping by.

Your emails, pep talks and comments are appreciated.

X ♥  O

Deer ~ Symbol of Gentleness and Love

Because of its wandering nature,

deer have been associated with new adventure

and path finding, so I thought it was a fitting subject to start out the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

Deer Spirit ~ Divine Connection
Day 2
See painting specifications and price here.

Gentleness  ~  Heightened Perception  ~  Path finding

The hardest part about this painting challenge for me is not painting 30 paintings, but painting 30 paintings that I want to post online for all the world to see! My idea for this series was so well planned out, I thought it was going to be a piece of cake. WRONG! I've done six paintings since yesterday and still am not satisfied with the path I'm on! Oh well, I know all too well, it's all part of the process. I'm not getting stressed out about it or anything, yet. No pain, no gain.

I'm trying to come up with a similar color scheme and approach for the set. I am experimenting with technique and tried workable fixative but got the same bubbled up effect (above) like with regular fixative. I guess there is just so much layering you can do with watercolor on Yupo paper unless you go pretty opaque. I have tried using thin acrylic washes but so far have been unhappy with my results.

Deer Spirit ~ Day 1
NFS

It's already started coming down, and according to the National Weather Service, we are expecting "blowing snow" ( never saw that term before) and very cold temps with wind chills in the  minuses here tonight and tomorrow. Supplies for the animals are stockpiled and the horses are double blanketed. The hatches are battened down and Jerry just got back with gas for the tractor so we can dig out if need be. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Your emails, pep talks and comments are appreciated.

Stay safe and warm and have a good evening.

X ♥  O

Happy 2014 ! ~ Year of The Horse

"According to the Chinese astrology calendar,

the Year of the Green Wood Horse

will begin Feb. 4, 2014 and it will be

a year full of true spirit, opportunity,

determination, focus and endurance."

The horse will lead us into a year full of great turning points, opening a new period of human evolution and change which will set the stage for the next 25 years.

Year of the Horse

Signed and certified by the artist and matted to 8" x 10".
Purchase information here.

Here is a shot of my first wash on the Yupo paper.

As you can see, I wasn't real concerned with staying in the lines.

The darker colors can be painted directly on top of the initial wash.

If the colors were lighter, the surface could first be wiped back to clean paper.

Starting tomorrow, for the whole month,

I'll be doing my third

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge.

This time, I really feel prepared.

I've settled on the theme of "Spirit Guides"

and have already done 36 thumb nail sketches.

I pre-cut all my paper and plan to use the same color palette

throughout the series.

In January 2013, I didn't even find out

about the challenge until January 3rd,

but was able to complete all 30 paintings in my series;

 "Paintings Inspired by Quotes About Trees".

In September, my "Legends, Myths and Folktales"

proved to be more complicated than I had anticipated,

so this month I've decided to K.I.S.S. it.

"Keep It Sensationally Simple"

I hope you will follow my daily posts, give me some feedback,

come join in the fun and paint along if you have the gumption.

"In truth, people can generally make time for what they choose to do;
it is not really the time but the will that is lacking."
~ John Lubbock

Have a great New Years Eve.

Wishing You Health, Happiness, Love and Prosperity in 

2014, The Year Of The Horse!

"Think in terms of the day's resolutions, not the year's."
~Henry Moore

X ♥  O

Furry Family Member

"The difference between friends and pets

is that friends we allow into our company,

pets we allow into our solitude."

~ Robert Brault

Tan Tan
Commissioned Portrait • SOLD

Some bitter-sweet Christmas gifts were commissioned this year for one dear family

after the sudden premature death of their beloved furry family member,

Tanner Sanchez Heil.

Tanner Sanchez Heil
Commissioned Portrait • SOLD

"Connor loved his picture of Tanner "Sanchez" (lol)

he held back the tears but said inside he was very emotional.

The picture of Tanner "Tan Tan" was very emotional for Sammy when she opened it 

but she was so very excited to have a picture of Tanner for her room.

They both said that it was the best present ever!"

~ Dorrie Crouse-Heil

*****************

Knowing that we will probably

outlive our pets can be a very sad thought.

All too well, we avid animal lovers can relate to

the grief and healing process of losing a beloved furry family member.

I feel fortunate that my art will serve as a

permanent memorial to a unique individual.

I also hope it will provide some joy and comfort along the way.

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope you are enjoying the holidays!

X ♥  O

The Greatest Story Ever Told ... ~ SOLD

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day;

their old familiar carols play,

and wild and sweet the word repeat

of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Away in a Manger

8" x 10" framed original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper

Signed and certified by the artist.

• SOLD

*********

In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census be taken of the entire Roman world.  And everyone went to his own town to register.

Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be his wife, being great with child.  

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born and Mary gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room at the inn.

An angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  A great force shone around them, and they were terrified, but the angel said to them, "Do not fear. I bring news of great joy, for today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

And this will be a sign to you; You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

A multitude of the heavenly hosts appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will toward men."

*********

Especially now, I am reminded of how lucky, blessed and totally thankful I am

for you; friends and family and for your support through thick and thin.

Today I'm Wishing You and Everyone You Love

A Bright Christmas and Joyful Holiday Season!

Peace and Love

X ♥  O

SEASON'S GREETINGS! ~ SOLD

"No one really knows when Christ was born.

It was settled on December 25th

for mythological,

not historical, reasons." 

~ Joseph Campbell

HAPPY YULE, WINTER SOLSTICE WISHES,

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Madonna and Child

8" x 10" framed original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper

Signed and certified by the artist.

• SOLD

I've been hearing a lot about "Keeping Christ in Christmas" this year, ...However, we also must remember that people were celebrating the YULE around the winter solstice way before Christ. Many traditions (tree, giving presents, lights, foods, songs, etc. were taken from Pagan traditions.) Just sayin' ... even if Christ isn't in your Christmas, it's not going to happen by people telling you to put him there. As long as your spirit is in the right place, personally, I think it's all good!

"And now today, whether observing Yule or Christmas or one of the other seasonal festivals, all are variations on the same theme. The good cheer, jolly music, sprigs of mistletoe, wreaths of holly, brightly wrapped packages at the foot of trees decorated with shiny ornaments and colored lights common to the season are culturally inflected expressions of five thousand years of human tradition."

~ Joseph Campbell

WISHING YOU HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY

DURING THIS FESTIVE SEASON AND IN THE YEAR TO COME!

X ♥  O