What was I thinking?

Work that was in progress and now I'm stuck.  For one thing it's bigger 18x36.  I think I worked too closely to the photograph and got away from the more painterly feel I wanted to give it.

Any suggestions?

*sigh*

Blog Award

Cynthia of Oasis Writing Link (OWL)
has honored me with this colorful and dynamic award. What a charming acknowledgement of my efforts here at OWL blog. Thank you, Cynthia!

Here is a description of the award

This award recognizes the following attributes:

1) The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervades amongst different cultures and beliefs.

2) The Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage and offers solutions.

3) There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Culture, Sciences and Beliefs.

4) The Blog is refreshing and creative

5) The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking

Here are my responsibilities:

The Bloggers who receive this award will need to perform the following steps:

1) Create a post with a mention and link to the blogger who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award to you.
2) The award conditions must be displayed in the post.
3) Write a short article about what your blog has thus far achieved preferably citing one or more older post to support:
4) The blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award to blogs in concurrence with the award conditions.
5) The blogger must display the award at any location on their blog.

I'm truly honored because I have always wanted to be more than an art blog.  Mainly because I had little confidence in my art and thought I would need to have stories to entertain any readers.

It's funny how writing my stories of my past life helped to bring about my Art for Saving Animals Project.  

One of my first articles showed how I've always loved helping people:

A Little Story

My second story brought tears to some people's eyes but reminded me how I loved helping animals too:

Another Story

So I guess some way, some how, the two loves melded together and became a way to still help and still develop my art through the Art Saving Animals Project. 

I've also thrown in a couple of outburst regarding my personal life in regards to my kids and dealing with my ex and I do appreciate the support there.  My main goal is to continue to be myself, continue to develop my art and continue to deal with life and with everything that comes toward me (good and bad) with the help of my friends.

I'd like to pass along this award to Sandy Sandy

for her inspirational blog "to keep negativity at bay."

Also to James Parker who with his lively and funny posts is always looking to make everyone's world a better place to live.

To Linda (Artwolf) whose blog was one of the first that I found to combine art and consciousness for our world and animals.

Finally Narayanan Hariharan's blog called http://bangalorea2z.blogspot.com/.  He is very proud of his country, posts beautiful photos and promotes a greener environment.  

Thanks and hugs to all.

Just for fun...

Goofing around last night.

6x8 acrylic on canvas board.

Parakeet Pals Plein Air

I painted this while I was at my last "meet the artist" stint at the pet store.  I had no photos yet of pets to paint so I took the opportunity to paint these pals who were about 15 feet in front of me.

6x8 oil on canvasboard 

Woodside Station

I wanted a little more practice before trying the DSFDF challenge so I found a photo I took of Woodside Station while on the Long Island Railway.  Straight lines are hard!   So if the Station looks a little drunk, it's because of my unsteady hand not the architect's.  

8x10 oil on RayMar

Cat on my lap

Was  in the mood for a quick pastel.  This is Meatball (the cat not last night's dinner) on my lap.

8x10 pastel on Ampersand pastelbord

Just a little something

I go in my kids' bathroom and find a couple of sheets of toilet paper folded up on the cover of the trash can next to the toilet.

I look at this and realized when Malissa was  in here for her daily "constitution" she had brought her text book with her.  She later explained she found a sample problem and wanted to see if she could figure it out.

I wasn't like this when I was 11.  Were you?