Starting Again... (and again... and again... and again...)

As I started the 30 little paintings in 30 days, I met someone, who is now my husband. I have let myself stop my artwork - I think I may have not been ready to do it again, so I focused on my new life. I considered giving up my art, because it was still too painful to work. I've been through a lot. Slowly I started to feel a longing towards my creativity again. I feel rusty, weak footed, unsure - but like someone who had a physical injury and needs to work at getting stronger and more confident again, one step at a time - I plan on taking it one step at a time. I also want to learn to let my art, my creativity go. To let myself be vulnerable and let it show in my work. Not to critique my work and hide what I feel isn't for "human consumption" I realized that restricting what I feel will be perceived as "good" or "bad" instead of looking at whether what I am doing is authentic. I have always had a fear of being perceived being not good, or if people think I'm good, I worry about disappointing them if I put more of myself into it. So I am stepping out, slowly going where I haven't been before - a step at a time. Life is a journey - we all have our own journey and we are the hero of our journey, full of challenges, dangers, failures, joys, loves, and triumphs. So here's to the next page in the next chapter on our journey.

Here is a quick sketch of a beautifully ugly Brandywine Red tomato from my garden. The bouts of rain, then hot drought, and rain again has resulted exploding, wonderfully misshapen, but still yummy tomatoes.

Catchup - 30 Little Paintings no 5, 6, 7

Number 5, 6, 7 of Thirty Little Paintings by Justine

Fell off the painting wagon. Trying to catch up and get back on :)

As a creative exercise, thru the month of January I will be posting 1 small painting or drawing, ATC / trading card size (2.5 x 3.5 inches), each day. I'm doing this across all my social media accounts (same painting). 

Just for fun I'll be choosing 1 person each day (starting Jan 2) to receive the previous day's painting from the people who like, comment or share my posts about my artwork from the previous day.

So share, like, or comment about my artwork and you'll be included in the group of names I choose from tomorrow to receive this little guy. This is totally unscientific, I'll just write the names on little pieces of paper, throw them into a tupperware and pick one. If your name is picked, of course I will need your address to mail it to you. I will message you.

'Banana'  2.5x3.5 inches.  watercolor

'Luna Moth'  2.5x3.5 inches.  watercolor

'Rorschach Phoenix'  2.5x3.5 inches.  watercolor

Brother Wolf - 30 Little Paintings no4

Number 4 of Thirty Little Paintings by Justine

I have several friends for whom the wolf is their spirit animal. This guy is to honor them.

"For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack."

— Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book

As a creative exercise, thru the month of January I will be posting 1 small painting or drawing, ATC / trading card size (2.5 x 3.5 inches), each day. I'm doing this across all my social media accounts (same painting). 

Just for fun I'll be choosing 1 person each day (starting Jan 2) to receive the previous day's painting from the people who like, comment or share my posts about my artwork from the previous day. Hope its not too confusing. 

So share, like, or comment about this post and you'll be included in the group of names I choose from tomorrow to receive this little guy. This is totally unscientific, I'll just write the names on little pieces of paper, throw them into a tupperware and pick one. If your name is picked, of course I will need your address to mail it to you. I will message you.

Brother Wolf. 2.5x3.5 inches. Watercolor

Dandelion Experiment - 30 Little Paintings no3

Number 3 of Thirty Little Paintings by Justine

Here is today's little painting, an experiment of the watercolor technique called wet-on-wet. The paper is soaked in water and then paint is applied tot he wet paper so the colors bleed into each other. I know some people hate dandelions in their lawn, but I have always liked them. They are cheerful, resilient, with a promise of a wish.

As a creative exercise, thru the month of January I will be posting 1 small painting or drawing, ATC / trading card size (2.5 x 3.5 inches), each day. I'm doing this across all my social media accounts (same painting). 

Just for fun I'll be choosing 1 person each day (starting Jan 2) to receive the previous day's painting from the people who like, comment or share my posts about my artwork from the previous day. Hope its not too confusing. 

So share, like, or comment about this post and you'll be included in the group of names I choose from tomorrow to receive this little guy. This is totally unscientific, I'll just write the names on little pieces of paper, throw them into a tupperware and pick one. If your name is picked, of course I will need your address to mail it to you. I will message you.

'Dandelion Experiment' 2.5x3.5 inches. Watercolor.

Flamingo Dreams - 30 Little paintings no2

Number Two of Thirty Little Paintings by Justine

A little late in the day - this cold has me whooped. A fun little portrait of your garden variety pink flamingo. Since I got this posted late, I'll wait till 8pm tomorrow (Sunday) to pick the new owner of this one.

As a creative exercise, thru the month of January I will be posting 1 small painting or drawing, ATC / trading card size (2.5 x 3.5 inches), each day. I'm doing this across all my social media accounts (same painting). 

Just for fun I'll be choosing 1 person each day (starting Jan 2) to receive the previous day's painting from the people who like, comment or share my posts about my artwork from the previous day. Hope its not too confusing. 

So share, like, or comment about this post and you'll be included in the group of names I choose from tomorrow to receive this little guy. This is totally unscientific, I'll just write the names on little pieces of paper, throw them into a tupperware and pick one. If your name is picked, of course I will need your address to mail it to you. I will message you.

'Lawn Flamingo' Acrylic paint.  2.5x3.5 inches

New Year, New Project - 30 Little paintings

Number One of Thirty Little Paintings by Justine

Welcome 2016

As a creative exercise, thru the month of January I will be posting 1 small painting or drawing, ATC / trading card size (2.5 x 3.5 inches), each day. I'm doing this across all my social media accounts (same painting). 

Just for fun I'll be choosing 1 person each day (starting Jan 2) to receive the previous day's painting from the people who like, comment or share my posts about my artwork from the previous day. Hope its not too confusing. 

So share, like, or comment about this post and you'll be included in the group of names I choose from tomorrow to receive this little guy. This is totally unscientific, I'll just write the names on little pieces of paper, throw them into a tupperware and pick one. If your name is picked, of course I will need your address to mail it to you. I will message you.

So despite the lovely head cold that came upon me for the new year, here is my first little painting. Happy New Year everyone!

'30 Paintings no1 - Little Pear'  2.5x3.5 inches, watercolor

Almost Murder

I painted these two lovelies today. I was a little surprised how they came out, since I haven't painted in acrylics in a very long time.

'Almost Murder' (1 & 2) 8x8 inch, acrylic on silver & gold primed canvas

They will be sold at a fundraiser for the Artist's in Middleburg. The participating artists were given a gold and/or silver 8x8 canvas to paint. They will be sold at the event on Dec 4 for $75 and all proceeds will go into the AiM Scholarship Fund. They ended up being a lot of fun to do, and I may create a series based on these.

Artists in Middleburg (AiM)
Gallery: 102 W. Washington Street
Middleburg, VA  20118

This made me smile Saturday

The ultimate reward. Saturday I received this email and it made my day.

"Thank you so much for the wonderful job you did creating the portrait of Dante for Sally to

give me. It was the best gift ever! Here's a picture of Dante posing with his likeness.

Thanks again!
Wendy and Dante"

 I'm glad to have this thing inside me that I can share with others that makes us smile. Thank you Wendy. Dante it was a pleasure to work on this painting of you.

.

Siamese if you Please… now completed

Finished pet portrait, Siamese.

8x10 soft pastel on paper.

Siamese if you Please

Love the eyes on this guy. 
Work in progress… 
more posts as he develops. Painting is kind of mystical process to me, I never feel like I'm the one doing it, that I'm watching someone else painting.

Happy National Women's Equality Day, Happy National Dog Day

Happy National Dog Day, Cassie!

Over the years I've had the privilege of painting some wonderful dog portraits. Take a look.

Remington Creations Pet Portraits

In 1920 women were guaranteed the right to vote. I am grateful for those brave women who fought for this and I exercise my right every election day by voting for the lesser of two evils.

August 26, 1920 ~ Woman Suffrage Guaranteed by 19th Amendment

Walking on the beach

I cannot believe summer is almost over!

www.etsy.com/listing/194193351/sanderlings-on-the-beach-giclee-10x8

A few items in my shop

My artwork is available for sale at Etsy. Support your local starving artist.

Just in case you didn't know :)

Early Walk w Cassie Girl, then morning Pinterest experiment (including bloodshed)

Woke early this Sunday morning. I like how quite it is Sunday mornings, so Cassie and I set out for adventure. Just some bunnies, and the melodies of feathered friends. Home again, home again, jigity jig. We shared a breakfast of eggs over easy & homemade oatmeal muffin. As I scanned Pinterest on my phone, I noticed a diy for these cute sakura flowers,

http://www.omiyageblogs.ca/2011/03/diy-sakura-kirigami.html?m=1

so I decided to give them a try. Of course - PAPER CUT! After a lot of cursing and a Mickey band-aid the experimentation continued. I don't have any Japanese or origami paper and my drawing paper proved to be too thick, so I tried wrapping paper - didn't come out too bad. I may have to purchase some appropriate paper and do some more :)

Now what next? Any suggestions Cassie?