Technicolor Kitty - November 30, 2009

"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together."

– Vincent van Gogh

Technicolor Kitty

Watercolor

5" x 7" Greeting Card

Today is my birthday, so my husband and I have a lunch date and an appointment with a flight instructor. ( Oh My! Did she say flight instructor?) Yes, I'm going to learn to fly. Did I mention that my 50's are my favorite years, so far? Life is a great big gift, just waiting for us to revel in it every day. I hope yours is a good one!

About Vincent van Gogh

The Dutch post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh worked as an artist for only ten years, but he had a profound and lasting effect on the art world. He was born in 1853 in Zundert. He briefly became a minister but was dismissed for caring too much about his impoverished parishioners. His brother, Theo, was a close friend and supporter. He only sold one painting during his lifetime. He is known for his heavy brushstrokes and strong colors. He died in 1890 of suicide.

Agapanthus - November 27, 2009

Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: 'I'm with you kid. Let's go.'

– Maya Angelou

Ooooo.... I LOVE that! I hope you U.S. folks had a terrific Thanksgiving!

Agapanthus

5" x 7" Acrylic on Ampersand Panel

I did this little painting for the WetCanvas Plant Parade challenge. I know it doesn't look like the real thing, but it was fun anyway.

About Maya Angelou

American poet and author Maya Angelou is best known for her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. She was born in St. Louis in 1928 and grew up in rural Arkansas.. Due to her activism, Martin Luther King asked her to take a leadership position in his organization. In 1993, at President Clinton's request, she wrote and performed a poem at his inauguration. She has also directed films and appeared on television. She teaches at Wake Forest University.

No Thanksgiving Dinner - November 25, 2009

"In every person who comes near you look for what is good and strong; honor that; try to imitate it, and your faults will drop off like dead leaves when their time comes."

– John Ruskin

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No Thanksgiving Dinner
5" x 5" Golden Fluid Acrylic on Ampersand Panel

I'm pretty sure if he could talk, he'd tell you he's glad he's not a turkey today. I hope all of you U.S. people have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

About John Ruskin

John Ruskin was an English art critic who influenced the attitude of a whole generation toward art and architecture. He was born in 1819 in London. His career began with an essay defending his friend, artist J.M.W. Turner, from critics.. His book Modern Painters made Turner popular and gave stature to the Pre-Raphaelite movement. He founded the Cambridge Scool of Art in 1858, now known as the Anglia Ruskin University. Leo Tolstoy called him one of those rare men who think with their heart. When Ruskin inherited wealth, he gave most of the money away. He died in 1900.

Zesty Salsa - November 24, 2009

"I am grateful for the ability to keep the small stuff and refrain from worrying about every challenge that comes into my day."

From the Don't Sweat Affirmations

Richard Carlson Ph.D.


Zesty Salsa
2.5" x 3.5" Watercolor & Ink

I have noticed that trying to paint something new every day is a little harder for me, when I work with acrylic.

With watercolor, I can sit down to a blank piece of paper & zip something out. With acrylics, I find myself wanting to plan things out, which makes me a little less spontaneous. I think it's time to do a little organizing in my studio, so I can easily switch from one medium to the next. I want to keep both mediums fresh in my brain, if that's possible. Any advise on that? I'd love to hear your comments.


I quote from Richard Carlson often, so here is something a little different about him, besides his regular bio. With more than 26 Million Carlson books in print, published in 35 languages in over 130 countries, Dr. Carlson became a worldwide phenomenon. He spoke to enthusiastic audiences around the world and was a popular television and radio personality, having been a guest on Oprah, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The View, NBC, CNN, FOX, PBS, Hardball with Chris Mathews, The O’Riley Factor, and myriad other shows around the world.

Richard Carlson passed away on December 13, 2006.

Yummy Yogurt - November 23, 2009

"You will not find poetry anywhere unless you bring some of it with you."

– Joseph Joubert

Yummy Yogurt
2.5" x 3.5" Watercolor & Ink

The second to last card in the alphabet series.

About Joseph Joubert

French essayist Joseph Joubert became famous after his death when his friend, the renowned author Chateaubriand, gathered a selection of essays into the book Collected Thoughts of Mr. Joubert. Joubert was born in 1754 in Périgord. He attended and then taught at a religious college in Toulouse but left in 1778 for Paris, where he became friends with a number of great thinkers of the time. He wrote copiously on such subjects as ethics, politics, theology, and literature. He died in 1824.

FTC Regulations - Bloggers Need to Pay Attention

FTC REGULATIONS AFFECT INTERNET AFFILIATE RELATIONSHIPS, ENDORSEMENTS AND TESTIMONIALS

Cheryl Hodgson has up to date information regarding how this affects bloggers on her blog, http://brandaideblog.com, BRANDAIDE™ -- The Blog: "Where Selection Meets Protection"

I have been adding a little disclaimer sentence to the bottom of all my recent blog posts, because I like to talk up the products and websites I like.

I hope you find this information helpful.

Licorice - November 20, 2009

"Ruin and recovering are both from within."
– Epictetus

Licorice
5" x 7" Golden Fluid Acrylic on Gessoed Aquabord

It was fun to just play with the colorful shapes of this candy. I did it for the Different Strokes challenge on WetCanvas. This is the first time I have done the monthly challenge from the acrylics forum. I'm starting to really enjoy acrylics! I just can't wait to see what flows from my brush next! ~big grin~

About Epictetus

Epictetus, the Roman-era Stoic philosopher, lived a very ascetic life, believing that happiness came from living "according to the will of nature" and that free will comes from how we respond to circumstances. He was born in 55 AD in what is now Turkey and spent most of his life in Rome. He spent his youth as a slave and became crippled due to his master's harsh treatment. He was later exiled to Greece, where he founded a school and wrote his most famed work, The Discourses. He died in 135.

For the FTC: I am not receiving anything in return for my endorsements of products or websites in this blog post.

Morning Meadows - November 19, 2009

Developing the patience and discipline to quiet my mind is a great accomplishment.
My inner wisdom bubbles up in periods of quiet contemplation.

from The Don't Sweat Affirmations
by Richard Carlson, Ph.D.


Morning Meadows
5" x 5" Golden Fluid Acrylic
on Black Gessoed Ampersand Aquabord

I did this little painting in my motel room on the morning of the second day of the Don Tiller workshop. It just flowed! I really enjoyed the workshop a lot!!! I guess maybe you could tell. *grin*


Richard Carlson, Ph.D. (5-16-61 to 12-13-06) was considered to be one of the foremost experts on happiness and stress reduction in the United States and around the world. As the author of thirty popular books including the runaway bestseller, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all Small Stuff, he showed millions of people how not to let the small things in life get the best of them.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff made publishing history as the USA Today’s #1 bestselling book for two consecutive years. The title spent over one hundred consecutive weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, and is considered one of the fastest selling books of all time. In 2004,

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff was voted one of the top ten most read books in the past decade! Richard is one of the few authors in history to have two different titles at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list at the same time: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, in soft cover and Don’t Worry, Make Money, in hardcover.

For the FCC: I am receiving no money or product for saying nice things about the people or products in this blog post.

Pumpkin Hill - November 18, 2009

"No one can really pull you up very high — you lose your grip on the rope. But on your own two feet you can climb mountains."

– Louis Brandeis

I just got back from Washington last night. It was the BEST trip!! I really loved my Don Tiller workshop! These photos are from the first day. We laid our blank canvases on the floor and Don drew a chalk line through them. Our plan was to make a connection series. We weren't sitting next to the people next to us in the series, so not all of it worked as a connection, but every bit of it worked as a learning experience. Mine is 4th from the left. It's a 9" x 12" panel, but it is teeny, between the larger ones.


Pumpkin Hill
9" x 12" Golden Fluid Acrylic
on Ampersand Gessobord

The humble beginnings. This was just so much fun. I was so impressed with Don Tiller. He was a great teacher and I am so grateful for the opportunity to have studied with him. (Oh yeah.... I am his number one fan! **big grin**)

About Louis Brandeis

American judge Louis Brandeis was the first Jewish Supreme Court Justice, and one of the most influential Justices in the history of the Court. He was born in Kentucky in 1856 to Czech-born parents. He graduated from high school at age 14 and later became head of his class at Harvard Law School. As a Justice, many of his decisions created greater protections for individual rights of privacy and free speech. He died in 1941. Brandeis University was named in his honor.

For the FCC: I am not being paid by any of the people or products mentioned in this blog post. I just like them.

Float my Boat - November 11, 2009

"We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same."

– Carlos Castaneda

Float my Boat

5" x 7" Atelier Interactive Acrylic
on Black Gessoed Ampersand Aquabord Panel

This is my last post until the 18th. I am leaving to go to Port Townsend, Washington for Don Tiller's acrylic workshop. (I am so excited.) Then I'll take a ferry over to Whidbey Island, to spend a few days with my little sister. Have a good week and I'll see you when I get back. Happy Veteran's Day to all of our veterans!

About Carlos Castaneda

Carlos Castaneda, the Peruvian-born new age writer, is known for his book series about his apprenticeship with Don Juan Matus, the Toltec shaman, including A Separate Reality and Journey to Ixtlan. The books are about the nature of perception and include many hallucinatory experiences. It is unknown how much of his writing was factual. He wrote the first three books as an anthropology student at UCLA, and they quickly gained cult success. He was born in 1925 and died in 1998.

For the FCC: I do not receive anything from the manufacturers or suppliers of products mentioned in today's blog post. I just tell you what I like.

The Fluffy Cardinal - November 10, 2009

"Most people are so busy knocking themselves out trying to do everything they think they should do, they never get around to do what they want to do."

– Kathleen Winsor

The Fluffy Cardinal

4" x 4" Watercolor

Kathleen Winsor is so right! I knocked myself out for thirty years, doing what I thought I should do. In the last two and a half years, since I picked up my paint brushes again, I feel a whole new bounce in my step and I have a merrier outlook on life! Funny how that works out!

About Kathleen Winsor
American author Kathleen Winsor is best known for the racy historical novel, Forever Amber, which made a huge splash when it was first published in 1944, selling 100,000 copies the first week. It was banned in 14 states for its sexual content. The ensuing debate contributed to the loosening of restrictions that allowed works by D. H. Lawrence and Henry Miller to be published in the US. Winsor wrote a number of other novels, none as successful. She was born in 1919 and died in 2003.

Father and Daughter - November 9, 2009

Opportunity may knock only once,
But temptation leans on the doorbell.
--Anonymous

Father & Daughter
Atelier Interactive Acrylic
on 4" x 4" Ampersand Aquabord Panel



First, I gave the Aquabord 2 coats of Daniel Smith black gesso. Then I used a pastel to draw the outlines. Then I filled in the sections with gouache, to sortof plan what I was going to do.






I filled it in with Atelier Interactive Acrylics. This is only the second painting I have done with these acrylics, but I really like them! Sorry about the glare, but I was having fun, so I got a little impatient.

After it dried, I wiped off the pastel lines. It was a little tricky because it wasn't all that dry (yeah... my impatience) and these acrylics are reactivated with water. It worked out anyway, because after I wiped off the lines, I saw some things I wanted to change. If you mist these acrylics with a slight spritz of water, you reactivate them and they can be worked some more. I like the way this turned out. It was a lot of fun!

Xiguna - November 6, 2009

The natural flights of the human mind are not from pleasure to pleasure, but from hope to hope.
--Samuel Johnson

A truly powerful force in the universe is that of optimism. Optimism lies at the root of our mental and physical health. Feelings of hope can stimulate the body’s immune system and inspire recovery from a critical illness.

Optimism expresses itself in the persistence and resilience of living things. A child learning to walk repeatedly falls down and picks himself up until he stands erect. A decade after the eruption of Mount St. Helens destroyed the local ecology, life had reestablished itself on this volcano with amazing abundance and rapidity. And despite its hostile environment, a sole dandelion miraculously pushed itself up through a crack in the concrete. That dandelion was optimistic that it could and would survive.

In the long run, the forces of love and life always triumph over those of fear and death. No matter how challenging the obstacles or difficult the tests, there is always cause for optimism.
--Douglas Bloch

X is for Xiguna
2.5" x 3.5" Watercolor & Ink

An edible fruit that looks similar to a watermelon, only shorter in size. Chinese

I was happy to find a food that started with X, for my alphabet series.

Samuel Johnson (18 September 1709 -December 1784), often referred to as Dr. Johnson, was an English author who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, novelist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer. Johnson was a devout Anglican and political conservative, and has been described as "arguably the most distinguished man of letters in English history". He is also the subject of "the most famous single work of biographical art in the whole of literature": James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson.

Douglas Bloch, M.A., is an author, teacher and counselor who writes and speaks on the topics of psychology, healing and spirituality. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from New York University and an M.A. in Counseling from the University of Oregon. He is the author of ten books, including the inspirational self-help trilogy Words That Heal: Affirmations and Meditations for Daily Living; Listening to Your Inner Voice; and I Am With You Always, as well as the parenting book, Positive Self-talk for Children. His newest work, When Going Through Hell…Don't Stop! A Survivor's Guide to Overcoming anxiety and Clinical Depression has just been published.A former radio talk show host and popular public speaker, Douglas has given hundreds of lectures and workshops to businesses, schools, church groups, recovery centers and national psychology conferences. He has also appeared on radio and television shows across the country.Douglas makes his home in Portland, Oregon with his partner Joan and his two cats and muses, Gabriel and Athena.

Wedding Cake - November 5, 2009

I am in a perfect state of mind so I can receive ALL the wisdom I need

The calling of my heart is loud and clear
I know that what I need to hear is always available
Every step of my journey is guided by an infinite intelligence that supports me
The beauty of my vision radiates in my mind
I see life in dreams of color
I AM a dynamic and awesome expression of pure potential

It's your day...MAKE IT A GREAT ONE!

Paul Hoffman
Success Songs

W is for Wedding Cake
2.5" x 3.5" Watercolor & Ink

We're almost to the end of the alphabet series. This little series was so much fun to create. I am needing ideas for a new series. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you'd like to see next.

"Paul Hoffman is one of my favorite musical artists. When you listen to Paul's songs, you'll experience the power of his music and know how you can step into success"
- Jack Canfield, Co-author of The Success Principals and Chicken Soup for the Soul Series

"Paul Hoffman's Success Songs will inspire, empower and motivate you to change your thinking. Listen to this music everyday and transform the way you think about yourself and your life."
-T.Harv Eker, NY Times Best-Selling Author of Secrets of the Millionaire Mind and Founder of Peak Potentials Training.

"If you really want to be unstoppable, listen to Paul Hoffman's Success Songs every day. You'll not only love the music, but you'll be inspired, invigorated and supported to joyfully create the life of your dreams."
-Cynthia Kersey, Best-Selling Author of Unstoppable & Unstoppable Women

Barbados Ornament - November 4, 2009

"It's tempting to sit and wait for life to come to you. But it can't, it's too busy. Life is out there. You have to go for it."
--Harry Beckwith


Barbados Ornament
4" x 4" Watercolor

I guess you've noticed that I have been doing some of my Christmas cards. I am trying to paint cards for my family before it becomes a hurry-up-and-rush pressure type of painting. In October and November, I can paint with relaxation and nice thoughts of the recipient, rather than the pressure of the season.

I love being able to do these cards. Since I try to paint something every day, if I can, I have been putting my little paintings on birthday & anniversary cards for my family. They really seem to enjoy them.

Harry Beckwith has advised 31 Fortune 200 companies in 17 countries and won the American Marketing Association's highest award, for clients including Target, Wells Fargo and Microsoft.

His four books have earned over $21 million in sales in 24 translations. His first, Selling the Invisible, spent 36 consecutive months on the Business Week best seller list, and appears on numerous "best business books of all time" lists. He also is featured in The Ten Secrets of World's Best Business Communicators and over 90 other business books.

Harry graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University and from University of Oregon School of Law, which led to a law clerkship to a federal judge.

In 1986 he was named creative supervisor of Carmichael-Lynch, four times Advertising Age's choice as America's most creative agency.

Harry serves on the Board of Directors for the Stanford University Department of Athletics, advises a cancer foundation, and teaches second grade part-time. A co-founder of one of the world's premier road races, the Cascade RunOff, he has run more than twice around the world since 1975.

A father of five boys and a girl, he lives overlooking a Minnesota forest with two of his true loves: his wife--the author Christine Clifford Beckwith--and his work.

Merry Old Basset Hound - November 3, 2009

"Can anything be sadder than work unfinished? Yes, work never begun."

– Christina Rossetti

Merry Old Basset Hound

4" x 4" Watercolor

I'm kinda proud of this little fellow. I am still learning, so when I have this kind of success I get a little giddy. I found this dog in WetCanvas' Reference Image Library (RIL).

The RIL is created entirely by member submissions. Images that are uploaded are available to paint from. I logged out, to see what you would get if you are not a member. You don't get to the actual photo. If you are logged in as a member, you will get a small resolution photo and most of the time (depending on the photographer's upload) a large res version. Today, there are 8,119,407 images to choose from. WOW!

I have never had a single art class. I have learned everything I can do at present, from hanging out with other artists. There are some very willing teachers at WetCanvas. Of course, next weekend, Nov 13-14, I am going to have my first class. I am so excited to be taking an acrylic workshop from Don Tiller, in Port Townsend, WA. I have been a fan of his since I saw his work in Artist's Magazine.

I think it's going to be fun to see what happens to my creativity, when it is fueled by such an inspiring teacher. I am thrilled to have this opportunity.

About Christina Rossetti

Christina Rossetti, the Victorian era English poet, is known for the melancholy themes in such poems as "Goblin Market" and "When I Am Dead." She was born in 1830 in London to Italian-born parents. Her father was poet Gabriele Rossetti and her brother was the painter/poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti. She rejected two marriage proposals because, although she loved both men, neither shared her religious devotion. According to her brother, she wrote effortlessly and rapidly. She died in 1894.

The Haunted Ship - November 2, 2009

"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."

– Franklin D. Roosevelt

The Haunted Ship

5" x 8" Watercolor & Prismacolor pen

A little leftover from Halloween, that I did for WetCanvas over the weekend.

The WDE (Weekend Drawing Event) is a lot of fun. I participate nearly every weekend. We attempt to complete our paintings, drawings, etc, in two hours, so it helps me to become a little braver and looser than I used to be. To add to that, I have made some really good friends over there. Go by there and see. It's fun.

About Franklin D. Roosevelt

Four-term American president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, known as FDR, pulled America out of the Great Depression and led the country during World War II. He was born in New York in 1882. His political career halted when a bout of polio paralyzed him from the waist down, but after learning to walk with leg braces, he became governor of New York and then president. His New Deal initiatives included Social Security, jobs programs, and collective bargaining. He died in 1945.