My 30 Paintings in 30 Days Collage for 2018

My theme for this year was 

"Wildlife Symbols That Define Us"

Day 30 of Painting 30 Paintings in 30 Days

"Mouse"
6" x 8"
pastel on pumiced and underpainted gatorboard

( I have to chuckle on this one, in the past - before this 30 in 30, I felt a lot of my animal 
portraits have come out 
more on the cartoonish side - too whimsical, too unrealistic,
this one went there.)

Mice, the burrowing animal - who is ONE with Mother Earth.
We have all had that 'mouse experience' a time or two.
I have to say, I always say "awwww...poor thing.." even
when I empty a mouse trap.

We had them in Kansas in the country, we have them in Colorado,

in the high country, IN the kitchen, IN the RV, IN the garage and studio, 

UNDER the house, IN the heat ducts - if left unattended

the spaces quickly gather the mice.

We fight and fight them, but I heed this quote from a mouse  -

"You're overlooking some important details, so pay close attention to what’s going on."

That is the symbol of mouse according to a little bit of searching..

and I believe it.

And being my 30th blog post in 30 days,
here it is the end of the 6th season of ME - painting - 30 - in - 30.
 I am glad to be at this point and trying not to go forward in a status of 'let down'.
After being on a treadmill, one doesn't do well just jerking to a halt
(not healthy anyway).

Painting this theme - WILDLIFE SYMBOLS THAT DEFINE US -
continues to remind me (and hopefully YOU the viewer) of how precious and important it is
to pay attention to the policies and legislature that is being crafted to protect or destroy
these animals - each of who have their own abilities and special place in our world.
We all need to be good stewards of our planet Earth.

Although there is sooo much to do around here and I need to get the rest of the house situated 

after moving 3 months ago (guest season will be back in swing soon) - I will still MAKE TIME to paint - I profess to be an artist - right? If not every day, maybe every other day or certain days of the week or time of the day.  It is important that I keep the momentum going or lose some valuable mojo that I have gathered.  I think ONE whole day off is in the works - time to regroup.  

If you have been visiting and watching, thanks for coming by.
For those of you who purchased a piece during this time,
T H A N K S !! 

Will I do another '30 in 30'?  We'll have to see

when that time comes around again.

Posting my '30 in 30 Collage' in the next post.
Most 30 in 30 participants will post one.

And I have to ask, though I wonder how many would comment,
Which painting is YOUR favorite?
Mine is the squirrel, I like the color and how free
it felt when I painted it.

Day 29 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

"Zebra"

5" x 7"

pastel and watercolor

on plein air board

Zebra - NUMBER 29 - OOOO so exciting! 

He is the Master of Balance and a symbol for INDIVIDUALITY!

If you really look at zebras, they are all individual - their stripes can be so different!

ONE more painting - and then back to real life. Whew!