"Autumn Repose" is Done!

Here it is, finally finished. I added another dragonfly because I just couldn't leave out the blue one. Touched up her face a bit and darkened some areas within the leaves. I hope you all like her. I will be putting her up for sale tomorrow. SCROLL DOWN to learn about the symbolism and process behind this piece.

Don't forget...Easy Contest for FREE art, ending soon!

Scroll down for details.


(Sorry, Folks! This one ended today. But, please follow me , bookmark me, whatever it takes to check back often. I'll be giving away art every month!) :)

"Autumn Repose"

I've been working on a painting for several days now. Perhaps you have been following the progress on my Facebook page. If not, the recap is, I started with a canvas which I had used as a palette for a previous painting. Using the colors, textures, and masses of light and dark, I began to see an image. I played with it until it became "Autumn Repose."

This painting is beginning to express dreams of transformation. So, to deepen that meaning, I added a dragonfly. I am fond of them anyway, since they visit my backyard pond frequently and have even landed on my finger before!

Dragonflies have long been symbols of transformation and change. They spend the first phase of their lives beneath the water's surface. Water is associated with the subconscious mind, so dragonflies have come to express a connection with deep thoughts and desires. They begin as a very ugly creature but when the right time has come, they pull themselves out of the water and shed the unsightly exterior. It is then that they show what was hidden inside. The beautiful creature of reflective light and grace that we know. In addition, because they don't live very long, they are a reminder to live life fully while we have it.

Autumn is also a time of change. Many people think of it as the harbinger of winter which may seem depressing. But, in my mind, it is a brilliant time to reflect on the past in preparation for the future. The figure sleeps beneath a blanket of leaves, taking shelter in beautiful, comforting memories. She dreams of what is to come.

So, as I work on this painting, I wonder what message is being sent to me. Is the Master Creator trying to tell me something? Most of this painting was done through "stream of consciousness" where I didn't look at any reference photos to guide me. It simply came from my mind...and the Source which must have put it there.

Now, the "funny" part is...I am having the worst time finishing this painting. Wouldn't you know, the two areas where I am trying to use my photos for reference have given me the most stress! I am using a photo of one of my backyard dragonflies and a photo I took of my own hand. I'll show you it's current state of being...and I'll be cringing the whole time until I can figure out how to fix everything that bugs me in it.

Can you guess?

Just for fun, can you guess what my son is going to be for Halloween? Here is a photo showing some of the materials we will be using to create it.

October Give-away Contest is HERE!

Hello my friendly followers. The time has come for me to unveil the A.C.E.O. which one lucky follower will win this month! Here he is, "Pumpkin-Head".

Here are the contest entry guidelines:

1. Follow my blog.
2. Leave a comment on how I can improve my blog and use it to increase art sales.

Optional: For another entry in your name, share this on your Twitter, Blog, Facebook, and/or Myspace page. Please supply the link here. One additional entry for each link where this is shared.

Contest ends Saturday, Oct. 24 at noon Pacific time. I will post the winner on Monday, Oct. 26.

(This is my first contest of this sort, so please bear with me if there are some kinks I need to work out!)
Just look at that face...won't you try to give him a home?

BY THE WAY: You may also comment on my other blog if you can't think of any ideas for this one!

Towers, and JUMBLES, and Stacks! OH MY!

Do I dare post a photo of my art studio as it is now? Does anyone want to see how bad it is? It might make you feel better that someone has a worse mess than you! Really, it is BAD! If you read my earlier post, you'll know why. But it is still embarrassing! You can follow along as I make progress...transforming this room into my dream studio.


Not sure if I'm brave enough to share the photo yet. Maybe later today! ;)

Give-aways coming soon!

Good morning everyone! A big thank you to my new followers! I'm setting goals for some nice give-aways here for my followers, so keep an eye out! Pass it on.

HEADS UP:

Think about the best tip you can give me to enhance this blog or my other one. Keep in mind ideas to help me sell my art, how I can use my blog most effectively, any and every idea to improve it. Don't tell me yet, just start looking and thinking. That will be how you can enter my first prize-drawing. I'll let you know when it starts, what the prize is, and all the details in a few days.

But, remember, the first step is to become a follower. You can do that right away! ;)

XOXOXO
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