The Wolves Within ~ Native American Legend ~ # 29 of 30

"The battle line

between good and evil

runs through the

heart of every man."

~ Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 

This painting depicts the one of my favorite Native American stories, The Wolves Within. The story goes that there are two wolves living inside of each one of us. One wolf represents good - joy, love, kindness, respect, generosity, truth and peace. The other represents evil - hatred, jealousy, sorrow, greed, anger, dishonesty and resentment. Each day theses wolves do battle with one another.  At the end of the story, the child asks the grandfather which one will win. The old man replies with the words; "The one you feed".

#29 of 30

Myths, Fables, Folk Tales and Legends

The Wolves Within 4" x 6" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 5" x 7" Signed and certified by the artist. • sold

The Wolves Within

4" x 6" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper

Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 5" x 7"

Signed and certified by the artist.
• sold

Which one do you feed?

What's A Bunny Got To Do With Easter? ~ Legend # 28 of 30 ~ SOLD

"I like narrative storytelling

as being part of a tradition,

a folk tradition."

~ Bruce Springsteen

In ancient Egypt, the rabbit was a symbol of life and fertility which carried over to Greece and Rome. The pagan tribes of Europe honored the goddess of fertility, Eostre, who was said to be accompanied by a hare. In the 1500's, the Germans were the first to introduce a rabbit that left eggs and candies for children the night before Easter. They brought the tradition to America, where the legend grew and gained popularity. So the answer to the question, "What's a rabbit got to do with Easter" is; "absolutely nothing".

#28 of 30

Myths, Fables, Folk Tales and Legends

Spring Bunny 5.5" x 6.5" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 8" x 10" Signed and certified by the artist.

SOLD

Spring Bunny

5.5" x 6.5" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper

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

Signed and certified by the artist.

I remembered to stop a couple of

times to shoot the progress.

Only two more paintings to go, but it just doesn't seem to be getting any easier. I am exhausted and confess that I can hardly wait for Tuesday to be here. When I told my hubby this morning, "only 3 more to go", he said; "Good, then you can clean." Then he broke down and vacuumed after he saw a dust bunny the size of one of the cats! My mind has gone to mush. I know a lot of the other 300 plus participants are feeling the same painting/posting fatigue.

 Honestly, I don't think I could have done it

without you guys cheering me on.Thanks so much!

Have a great night!

X ♥  O

The Heron and the Hummingbird ~ A Native American Legend ~ # 27 of 30

"The individual has to find an aspect

of myth that relates to his own life

Myth opens the world to the dimension of mystery,

to the realization of the mystery that underlies all forms."

~ Joseph Campbell

The Heron and Hummingbird is a story a lot like that of the Tortoise and the Hare. There was a race between Heron and Hummingbird to see who had the right to eat fish. It seems in the old days, Hummingbird liked to eat small minnows. Hummingbird was so far ahead in the race that he got distracted by some pretty flowers. While enjoying the sweet treat and pretty scenery, he didn't see Heron passing him by with his great silent wings. Needless to say, Hummingbird lost the race and today Heron eats fish while Hummingbird feeds on insects and nectar.

#27 of 30

Myths, Fables, Folk Tales and Legends

Hummingbird and Heron Signed and certified by the artist. Purchase this painting here.

Hummingbird and Heron

Signed and certified by the artist.
Purchase this painting here.

Wow, only three more days of the "30 paintings in 30 days challenge". I really can't say it went by too fast. It really was hard for me to keep up this time. I know I did it to myself by painting a few bigger pieces and by choosing such a varied and complex theme. I really did not keep it simple this time. (Lesson to self - Next time - Keep It Simple!) I've been doing no cleaning, no cooking, no riding, no shopping, no socializing, no relaxing. Just eating (mostly take-out and sandwiches), sleeping, taking care of critters, painting, shooting and posting! I'm exhausted! Thanks so much for your comments and support though. It keeps me focused and means more than you can imagine.

Hope you have a great Friday night!

How the Hummingbird Got His Colors ~ Legend # 26 of 30

"Every human being has

a personal legend to be fulfilled

and this is our reason for being in the world"

- Coelho

According to a Mayan Legend, Hummingbird got her colors as a wedding gift from the other birds of the forest. The title of this post is "How the Hummingbird Got His Colors" because my painting is obviously a male. I am really missing my little cuties, as droves of them vacated the place in a hurry about two weeks ago. I still have four of my fifteen feeders up and we saw a few stragglers earlier this week. It's unusual for them all to be gone already. I hope that isn't an indication of a hard winter or worse. We certainly don't want to experience anything like "Superstorm Sandy" this fall!

#26 of 30

Myths, Fables, Folk Tales and Legends

The Colors of a Hummingbird 11" x 9.5" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 16" x 20" Signed and certified by the artist.

 The Colors of a Hummingbird

11" x 9.5" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper

Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 16" x 20"

Signed and certified by the artist.

Thanks for following my blog and taking the time to look at my work.

X ♥  O

Pegasus and Flying Horses - - Legend # 25 of 30

"If you take myth and folklore,

and these things that speak in symbols,

 they can be interpreted in so many ways

that although the actual image is clear enough,

the interpretation is infinitely blurred,

a sort of enormous rainbow of every

possible colour you could imagine."

~ Diana Wynne Jones

The winged, divine stallion, Pegasus is probably the most popular creature in Greek Mythology. Symbolic of spiritual power, he was sired by Poseidon, aiding Zeus and others in their godly quests. Dreaming of riding a flying white horse is considered a good omen and has been linked to success, prosperity, pleasure, power and freedom.

This is today's painting for the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. I've included some photos of the painting matted and framed below. 

#25 of 30

Myths, Fables, Folk Tales and Legends

Flying Horses 4" x 6" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 5" x 7" Signed and certified by the artist.

Flying Horses

4" x 6" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper

Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 5" x 7"

Signed and certified by the artist.

Painting Options

matted w/ backing $55.00 USD matted / framed / med- wood $65.00 USD

This little painting would look sweet on a shelf or desk

and would make an unforgettable lifetime gift. 

Do you like it in the double mat or the blue one better?

Thanks for stopping by!

Do You Believe in Mermaids? ~ Legend # 24 of 30

"Over the centuries,

 we have transformed the ancient myths and folk tales

and made them into the fabric of our lives.

Consciously and unconsciously we weave the

narratives of myth and folk tale into our daily existence."

~ Jack Zipes

Mermaids are legendary aquatic creatures with the upper body of a woman and the torso of a fish. Stories of mermaids have been around for thousands of years and appear in the ancient stories and folklore of many cultures, including Native North Americans. It has been said that the human-animal hybrid symbolizes ancient man's understanding that we are both one with and different from the animals that we share the planet with. 

This is yesterday's painting that I didn't quite finish in time to post. I've included some photos of the painting matted and framed below. 

#24 of 30 -

Myths, Fables, Folk Tales and Legends

Mermaid Dream 4" x 6" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 5" x 7" Signed and certified by the artist.

Mermaid Dream

4" x 6" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper

Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 5" x 7"

Signed and certified by the artist.

Painting Options

matted w/ backing $55.00 USD matted / framed / med- wood $65.00 USD

This little painting would look precious on a wall or setting on a shelf or desk. It would make a most memorable gift. Could you do me a favor and give me a little feedback? Do you like it in the double mat or the black one better?

Thanks for stopping by!

Would You Want a World Without Dragons? ~ # 23 of 30 ~ SOLD

“No, I would not want to live in a world without dragons,

as I would not want to live in a world without magic,

for that is a world without mystery

and that is a world without faith.” 

~ R.A.Salvatore

The list of dragons in folklore and legends is extensive. Dragons are present in so many cultures, both Western and Eastern, dating as far back as antiquity. One has to wonder if there is any truth to this powerful being or if it is just a metaphor and a wonderful creature of the imagination. No matter where the stories started, they are here to stay and seem to strike some common cord among all the people of the world.

#23 of 30 -

Myths, Fables, Folk Tales and Legends

The Dragon's Haunt 12" x 9.5" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 16" x 20" Signed and certified by the artist.

The Dragon's Haunt

12" x 9.5" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper

Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 16" x 20"

Signed and certified by the artist.

• SOLD

Do you believe in dragons?

Poplar ~ Tree of the Autumnal Equinox ~ # 22 of 30 ~SOLD

“Autumn is a second spring

when every leaf is a flower.”

~ Albert Camus

Today marks the autumn equinox this year. Equinox means "equal night" and on March 21st and Sept. 22nd, 2013, the day and night are of equal length. The autumnal equinox traditionally has been a time of harvest and thanksgiving. Spiritually, it is a celebration of "going within", preparing for the darkness and a kind of symbolic death and resurrection. Now daylight will continue to decline until December 21st, marking the winter solstice, when the days once again slowly begin to get longer. Throughout the history of mankind, many legends, rituals and beliefs are centered around the changing of the seasons. There are as many varied beliefs as there are cultures. One of the most interesting I found was the Celtic Connection of the Autumnal Equinox to the Poplar Tree. Do you know of any you'd like to share?

#22 of 30

Myths, Fables, Folk Tales and Legends

Moving into the Dark 4" x 6" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 5" x 7" Signed and certified by the artist.

Moving into the Dark

4" x 6" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper

Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 5" x 7"

Signed and certified by the artist.

• SOLD

“But then fall comes,

kicking summer out on its treacherous ass

as it always does one day sometime after the midpoint of September,

it stays awhile like an old friend that you have missed.

It settles in the way an old friend will settle into your favorite chair

and take out his pipe and light it and then fill the afternoon with

stories of places he has been and things he has done

since last he saw you.”

~ Stephen King

Many thanks to Katherine Thomas for suggesting the subject of today's legend.

Happy fall y'all!

Legends Surrounding a Blue Moon ~ #21 of 30 ~ SOLD

"There are nights when the wolves are silent

and only the moon howls."

~George Carlin

A blue moon happens when there are more than two full moons in a month. It just happened on August 31st. The moon was just full on Thursday, but it won't be blue again until 2015. There are many old superstitions about doing things under a blue moon. You can find some of them here. 

#21 of 30

Myths, Fables, Folk Tales and Legends

Blue Moon 11" x 9.5" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 16" x 20" Signed and certified by the artist.

Blue Moon

11" x 9.5" original hand painted watercolor on Yupo paper

Acid-free Mat w/ Backing in sleeve - 16" x 20"

Signed and certified by the artist.

• SOLD

Thanks for taking the time to look at my work.

Hope you have a starry night!