A Painting a Day - Day 28

I have now reached the point of doing this not because of a drive or even a joyful feeling but rather out of sheer discipline. My sister asked me if I was still doing this because I wanted to or if because I had told everybody that I was going to do it. I couldn't lie. At this point I am doing it because I want to save face.

Now that doesn't mean I am not enjoying the art. Today's painting really turned out nicely. I was able to replicate some techniques in it that prove I am learning not just experimenting and that is fun and encouraging. But earlier in the evening, my kids and husband were watching a movie and I really wanted to sit in my lounge chair and zone out. Sitting at my drawing desk with  my back to the TV is not the same as vegging in front of the TV. But knowing there are folks watching me do this challenge is keeping me going simply because of my pride. That is not a bad thing.

In the days to come, I am sure I will feel joy over drawing a good composition or seeing the paint doing something lovely. Feelings change from day to day.I can't count on WANTING to do this. I have to count on DECIDING to do this. I already did that.

Today's painting is 8 x 10 and available for sale. If you would like to purchase it please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com. The first person I hear from can buy this little banded owl.

Thanks for coming by today. Thanks for keeping me accountable!

A Painting a Day - Day 27

I started following a Facebook page called Monarch Butterfly Garden two years ago which reports on Monarch butterflies, their migration, their life cycle, their favorite flowers... that sort of thing. Last summer was hard on the Monarchs. Their numbers had dwindled to an all time low. According to the link on this page, some scientists were concerned that the Monarch might be in danger of losing their migration pattern. The whole thing made me sad. I learned about milkweed and looked into finding seeds to plant. It felt awful not seeing but one last fall when I could remember seeing so many in years gone by.

Then this spring and summer a wonderful thing happened. The butterflies rebounded. And it was because the drought of the past 3 years had ended in the Midwest. Any time I saw grassy areas I looked for milkweeds and sure enough, they were growing. I even saw milkweed growing undisturbed in medians on state roads. Clearly even regional groups were trying to help the monarch come back. And it seems to be working. I have seen so many this year. My daughter even told me the teachers had prevented her and her classmates from playing on the concrete on the play ground because a large group of Monarchs had pooled on the warm cement and the children had been told they could not play there until the butterflies left. My daughter said with a chagrin that the butterflies stayed the entire recess!

For me the Monarch represents, not only the image of rebirth, which reminds me of my spiritual journey as a Christian, for I am a new creation in Christ, but it also represents my journey to becoming an artist. Even as the Monarch follows her calling to that long flight to Mexico, I have finally followed my calling to create art. It has been a long journey and it has been one I was not sure I would ever take. But today I am. So when I see the Monarchs passing by, heading for their wintering place, I rejoice because I know God has it handled.

This Monarch is my 27th painting in my series of 100 animal paintings in 100 days. It is available for sale for $27. It is 8 x 10 and ready to frame. If you would like to buy it for yourself or as a gift for someone else, please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com. The first person I hear from can purchase it.

Thanks so much for following me on my journey. I hope you will continue to do so. I love the company!

A Painting a Day - Day 26

This has been quite a week. My house is a mess. My energy is gone. I have a list of to do's a page long. I really need to go to bed. Several times I thought, "I just don't want to do this today!" But knowing someone is waiting to see my painting a day project keeps me going. I cannot say how grateful I am for everyone who is rooting for me, keeping track of my progress and smiling when they look at each day's new painting. I am very nearly a month into this and I am just as excited, if much more tired, as I was on September 1st. I love making art. I love meeting new people. I love learning new things. I love taking a chance. I love that there is someone clicking on my post and enjoying the beautiful thing I made. I am sharing my heart and my talent and receiving so much in return.

This painting is all about love. That is what I am feeling. Painting #26 is available for $26. If you would like to buy it, please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com. The first person I hear from can purchase it.

Thank YOU for following my daily paintings. I hope I have made you smile. I hope I get to make you smile again tomorrow!

A Painting a Day - Day 25

Where would we be without our friends? Friends comfort us, make us laugh, cry with us, give us advice and encourage us to play and enjoy life.

This pair have overcome their differences to become friends, offering affection and love and presence.

This painting is 8 x 10 and ready to frame.  Since it is the 25th painting, it is for sale for $25. If you are interested in buying it, please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com. The first person I hear from can purchase these friends.

Thanks for visiting today. I appreciate that you are with me on this journey of creativity and discipline. Hope to see you again tomorrow!

A Painting a Day - Day 24

It is amazing how much we love our pets. I was thinking of this when I was doing this picture. They fill a place in our lives that no human being can. I have had pets most of my life and the older I get, the more precious they have become. Before I had babies, my cat was my baby. Now my dog is my constant companion when I am not in places she is not allowed. I love her fur, her eyes, her wagging tale. And the love I have for her is totally selfish because I have no idea what would make her feel as loved as she makes me. She just seems to delight in being with me. I wish I could love like that.

Today's picture is #24 in my series of 100. I changed the size today. This is 8 x 10 and ready for a frame. It is watercolor on watercolor paper. It is available for sale for $24. If you would like to buy it, please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com. The first person I hear from can purchase it.

Thanks again for following my art journey. It means so much to know you are visiting me!

A Painting a Day - Day 23

Sometimes it is hard to remember mistakes are usually lessons waiting to be learned.  I just have to have a teachable heart. Without the teachable heart, I will be discouraged by the mistake and want to give up.  I will want to be angry or depressed.  But if I see the lesson and know there are opportunities awaiting me, then I have hope and hope gives me the ability to learn.

Every painting is a lesson on this journey.  Not every painting is going to be perfect.  Not every painting is going to be something that someone will want.  And that is okay. Because there will be a new painting tomorrow. I am learning. That is the purpose in the end.

A friend who has been enjoying my paintings said she wanted to see a unicorn.  So here is a unicorn.  I am keeping a list of requests since 100 days is a long time and ideas can sometimes feel scarce. This painting was a good lesson, and it is okay that it is not perfect. I learned from it.

It is available for sale. It is 5 x 7 on watercolor paper. As this is day 23 it is for sale for $23.  If you would like to buy it, please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com.  The first person I hear from can purchase it.

Thanks for visiting today.  I hope you can come again tomorrow!

A Painting a Day - Day 22

I started taking violin lessons back in February. I never took a music lesson before that in my life. So this has been a hard thing for me. Many times I have thought about quitting the lessons because I really don't practice enough.  I have good intentions and then all of a sudden it is lesson day again, a whole week has passed and I didn't pick it up more than once that week.  That is not enough practice.  But in spite of that, I have kept going to my lesson and some weeks I do practice more than once.  And in infrequent moments, I feel like my fingers know the right places to go to form each note. My bow doesn't hit the stings on either side of the string I am trying to play. And in that moment I make music and I feel lifted and triumphant and I smile.  I will probably never perform in front of anyone. To me that is okay because I am doing this for me, proving I can learn something new and conquer it.

The cat and the fiddle keeps drawing me back.  I have drawn and painted this before.  I think I just like the violin and cat. I imagine I am the cat and playing the fiddle may be something a bit unnatural for me, it just feels like a good fit.

This little cat and his fiddle are my 22nd painting in this series of 100.  He is for sale for $22.  If you would like to buy him, please email me at lauraparkhurstillustrator@gmail.com.  The first person I hear from can purchase him.

Thanks for following my art.  Hope to see you tomorrow!