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

Chickadee ~ Symbol of Understanding and Higher Truth

“Any fool can know. 

The point is to understand.” 

~ Albert Einstein

Chickadee Spirit ~ Cheerful Attitudes Day 30 Joy ~ Expression ~ Fearless ~ Individuality See painting specifications and price here. ~~~~~~~

Chickadee Spirit ~ Cheerful Attitudes

Day 30

Joy ~ Expression ~ Fearless ~ Individuality

See painting specifications and price here.

~~~~~~~

Today is day 30 and this is the second painting I did today. I was unhappy with my first attempt, so I started this one late and have no progress shots to share. Tomorrow I plan on finishing up my substitute for day one and posting a collage of all 30 paintings I completed during the challenge.  I hope you'll join me back here then.

Chickadee Spirit -  Full frame/ Uncropped

Thanks so much for stopping by. 

Your comments are always appreciated.

X ♥  O

Groundhog ~ Symbol of Lucid Dreaming

“Dreams are the liberation of the spirit from

 the pressure of external nature, a detachment 

of the soul from the fetters of matter.” 

~  Sigmund Freud

Groundhog Spirit ~ Higher Consciousness Day 29 Mystery ~ Unconscious ~ Awakening ~ Revelation ~ 8.5 x 6.5" Hand Painted Watercolor on Yupo Paper Matted and Framed to 10" x 8" ~~~~~~~

Groundhog Spirit ~ Higher Consciousness

Day 29

Mystery ~ Unconscious ~ Awakening ~ Revelation

~ 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.

The steps are the same as in the previous posts.

So, instead of me being redundant, take a look at the 

past few posts and you'll know what's going on. 

Groundhog Spirit -  Full frame/ Uncropped

I can't believe there is only one day left of the challenge!

I will be posting two more paintings, until Friday the 31st.

This month has been a blur. It's a really good blur though,

full of color, growth, excitement, new friends 

and renewed passions.

I hope you'll meet me back here tomorrow for more thoughts on the 30/30 challenge, a new painting and plans of new adventures. 

I wonder if the groundhog will see his shadow this Sunday. 

Will we have six more weeks of winter or what?

Any guesses? 

As always, thanks so much for dropping in.

I really appreciate all your great comments.

X ♥  O

Dragonfly ~ Symbol of Illusion and Discovery ~ SOLD

"Listen to your intuition.

 It will tell you everything you need to know." 

~ Anthony J. D'Angelo

Dragonfly Spirit ~ New Realities Day 28 Magic ~ Intuition ~ Perception ~ Growth ~ 8.5 x 6.5" Hand Painted Watercolor on Yupo Paper Matted and Framed to 10" x 8" • SOLD ~~~~~~~~

Dragonfly Spirit ~ New Realities

Day 28

Magic ~ Intuition ~ Perception ~ Growth

~

8.5 x 6.5" Hand Painted Watercolor on Yupo Paper

Matted and Framed to 10" x 8"

• SOLD

~~~~~~~~

I got caught up in painting and forgot to stop and 

take progress shots today. I will try to do better tomorrow.

Dragonfly Spirit -  Full frame/ Uncropped

As always, thanks so much for stopping by 

and for all your great comments.

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