Brave Faith...

With my word for 2012 being BRAVE.  And with the new movie coming out called BRAVE.  I thought to paint a brave red head... I also know the most incredible little red head and her name is Faith... So let me introduce you to... Brave Faith.

 I know her hair is very neat and not true to the BRAVE movie or to the real Faith.  But I was testing the waters with red hair... so far so happy.  I love that this painting is a alittle different but I kind of love her, she's regal and looks pure of heart.    This is a tiny painting too so it was tough going.  I plan to do a red head with crazy curly hair... coming up next!

Friday painting day...

Ahhhhh man - I am desparate to paint.  My commissions are piling up and I still have to build stock for my shop and a little gift shop that is keen on my pieces.  I had much work to do this morning for work work.  So I woke up early and faced that until around 2pm - and then hit my canvas'.  My niece and her beau were coming over to paint with me and experience oil painting for the 1st time.  I love sharing oils with people because I know a lot of people who are afraid of it yet I find it the most satifying and wonderful medium of them all.  We nestled up by the fire and painted and chatted all afternoon.  I love that when your hands are busy creatively - lovely gems fall right out of the heart.  It's really "play therapy" in many regards.  I love these two people dearly and it was a beautiful way to spend my afternoon.  Treasured moments.  The bonus of our time together - I managed to finish a small commission today and start a new one for my stock.  #Stoked

Don't let anyone wake me up... I am dreaming out loud!

I think this painting might be me and how I was feeling tonight...  A little dreamy, a little pensive, and maybe even a little scared.  But I have wings and I plan to use them soon as I dare allow myself to dream out loud...  Stretching one's wings is never easy, it's risky and it takes courage and bravery.  Perhaps a necessary journey, that I need to travel.  As a quest, as a pilgramage, my own.  But I have my wings on and I'm ready...

I woke up this morning with a painting in my heart...

I forfeited my usual gym class and food this morning and got straight to painting... I had a brilliant session in my studio as this sweet little English rose flowed out of my brush... Meet Annie. 

She isn't finished yet but she's coming alive.  Still have some more layers to do and tweek a bit here and there.  But she's delightfully simple but the canvas is busy.  I prepped this canvas weeks ago as I wanted to use it as an experiment.  It is long and thin 24"x12" and I wanted to include a body on one of my girls.  When she's finished, I will share a full length picture of her.

Now let me get some food into my body before I keel over and get my running shoes on and hit the road for some fresh air...

It's been a beautiful day.

My little studio is coming alive

I am getting so exciting with my growing stock. My studio is getting nice and full. I have about 10 paintings in my studio at the moment, all of which are due to go out. I will post some pics soon of the full studio. Still have much work to do though... but this sure is encouraging.