I'm Seriously Wondering...

I’ve been questioning a lot of things about my work lately. Reassessment is always good when it moves you forward. I’m firmly convinced that I am one improvement away from actually making a living at what I do. Then I discovered something really disconcerting: not only can paint shop pro take my photography and resize it to print but it can manipulate my photographs so that they are better than anything I could ever paint and in a fraction of the time.

Keep in mind its always relative. 15 years ago I was fuming because these whippier- snapper young graphic designers didn’t know how to hold a paint brush, couldn’t make pencil drawing and thought ink was something you fill the inkjet cartridges with. Programs like Correll

and PSP have revolutionized design /and they are also revolutionizing Art.

Grant-it there are still somethings I can do with a brush that I could never do with PSP, but the truth is for design and lay out, to simply construct specific animals, with consistently challenging color patterns and markings I need to be able to re make a photo that I can draw the lay out from and then transfer that to the medium surface. It becomes more and more unwieldy to draw everything by hand without first constructing a new digital image for reference.

Its been a little humbling to move from traditional ways of doing things to new modern ways of doing things. Including the fact that I have always prided myself in my drawing skills. and my ability to eyeball and really see the subject.

 Well up until this point, that is. I’m seeing  things differently than I did in my 20's. Next month I will be 55. The shape of my eyes have changed, the way I perceive color is different. The steadiness of my hands is also different. These days I have to warm up like an athlete to paint well. That is one reason I work in series; Painting one animal type in different variations so that when I have a commission due I am all warmed up and ready to go.

Adapting is the hallmark of a good artist. I adapt all the time. And in truth my skills improve every day. For the first time in my life, last week someone complimented me on my consistency in painting. I never thought myself consistent so I focused on it a lot. Then gradually

overtime that focusing paid off. In an artist that continuous change and moving forward is the thing that takes them and makes their work last. Adapting to change is the thing that establishes them. I fully expect that my next 20+ years of painting will indeed be the best of the best work I have ever done with or without modern technology.

All of the above images of the original digital photograph snapped by artist LindaLMartin and manipulated by using diferent light and brush techniques on Adobe Paintshop Pro CSC3

.~.~.

The Image below is  the Original Painting

of the Birdbath by Linda L Martin

The Bird Bath

by Linda L Martin

$55.00

Watercolor

5 by 7 Inches

Easter, Horse Racing, Art... for me its always connected.

Its four days until Easter. I admit it I’m not painting much at the moment. Mostly because I am taking a graphic design course and doing physical therapy; Both of which are extremely challenging to me.

I’m also trying to figure out how to obtain a new car if the old one breaks down. I’ve had my little purple car for 11 years. Admittedly, its seen better days, but I think I might salvage it and repair it if I can fund it in some way.

I’ve figured out that I need to sell about 77.071 $25.95 quick studies to keep it road worthy. A friend just called. She bought one. So I only need to sell 76.071

Of course if someone would just commission a $2500 painting that would solve a lot of problems right there. Or they could just buy "Strike the Gold" from my hall wall.

That painting has been following me around since I painted it in 1991. I wonder if I really don’t want to sell it for some reason.

 Maybe I am just trying to hang on longer to the victory as so much didnt turn out as expected. Here is a  painting of a former Kentucky Derby winner who was shipped off to stud overseas, a great boon for the breeding  industry in the country he was sent to. The Jocky has just a few momnets in Fame and was such a brilliant tallent but his career ended suddenly when he  died of a drug over dose from substance abuse he couldnt quite over come. Then there is the  huge Virginia connection there because the Trainer, Nick Zito had for years started all most all his  young horses started at Middleburg Training Track.

I used to live 5 minutes from the Training Track and had an open invitation to hang out in the morning for workouts, to photograph. Some really awesome horses ran past me on those mornings. Not to mention Hall of Fame trainers and riders. Salt of the earth and amazing stories. Some of the nicest people and the hardest working people I've ever met. And oh the horses! Breeder’s Cup horses. Derby winners.

 I lived in the house where Penny Tweedy's Aunt used to live the 5 years I was in Middleburg.  My dad inspected the house when I first moved in and pointed out that it had an unbelievable security system at one time. I happened to mention to Mrs. Tweedy that I was living there, when I met her at an event commemorating Secretariat's achievements sometime later. To this day what she told me has to be my favorite amusing story.

"Oh yes, we gave my aunt Secretariat's Triple Crown bowl. It was just another trophy to her. She kept it on the dining room table and put fruit in it. “That my friends, is vintage Middleburg.

Ah, the joys of being a non-agented independent artist and writer with no visible means of support.

So here I am pondering the fond memories of the traditional protestant Easter Week. We, at least in my family, have always celebrated the Joy of it: Christ Risen!

I’ve been remembering my time in Middleburg with some fondness as I watch the daffodils opening. I remember attending the churches there and then coming home to the mountain to have Easter Dinner with my parents and siblings.

April also brings the promise of a wonderful race and new champion horses on that first Saturday in May. Easter brings the reminder of a loving God who gave his only son that we could all have a future and a hope with him if we desired it. Is there a connection? New Beginnings. Clean slate.

When a horse wins the Kentucky Derby their entire racing history, their failures and their successes are gone as if they never mattered to the public. And the horse steps into a bright new future. Everywhere that horse goes his name is followed by Kentucky Derby winner. He marches into history wearing it.

Every time someone decides to believe God, they receive a brand new start, clean slate from that day forward they are known as God’s own. Old things are past away.

Of course there are obvious differences. But really they are both heart issues.The brightest and the best don’t always receive the win. Sometimes the fastest are so intimidated by the personalities of the other racers that they falter at the finish. Sometimes there is a startle event that can range from interference on the rails to a simple shadow at the wrong time that distracts the runner. Yes, training and fitness and track play a big part in the running of races but when it comes down to it, It’s the heart desire of a racehorse that brings him to the win.

It is the heart of a person that desires to know God that brings them to the gift of the cross, against all odds, doubts, fears, interferences and obstructions.

My favorite verse: “Do not put your hope in men who run in the face of the enemy, nor in horses that fall beneath you in battle, but put your faith in the Lord Your God who Gives you Victory.” ~David, the First King of Israel 1010-970 BCE

"We are saved by Grace not in and of ourselves That God would be glorified in the Son; For THE Son took all our sins upon himself that by his blood we are cleansed and by his stripes we are healed."


"For God So Loved the World that He gave his only son, so that everyone who believes him, shall not perish, but will have everlasting life."

First Of The new Prints: Resting" by Linda L. Martin

Today I painted several abstract expressionist paintings of horses. The first of the group is called "Resting" The original is 9 by 12 inches acrylic on watercolor paper.

I will be offering this as a print in 4 sizes:
2.5 by 3.5 inches $4.95 ACEO format
5 by 7 inches $9.95
8 by 10 inches $29.95
11 by 14 inches $62.92
13 by 19 inches $125.00
(Shipping and Handling Quote available at time of purchase.)

You may pre-order this vibrant work by emailing me at llmartisticservices@yahoo.com.
Be sure to write "Resting Print" in the subject line and received 10% off your next purchase over $40 You will be billed using PayPal and can pay securely online with your credit card even if you don’t have a PayPal account.

"Just a Bit of Blarney" Linda L Martin's entry for the March Virtual pARTy

Sometimes the most difficult thing to do when you are participating in one of the Virtual pARTies is coming up with something fresh and original plus creative.

Well this month I focused in on “Anything Goes” in the guidelines. Plus I really wanted to do something that would celebrate the Holiday today. St. Patrick’s Day. Thus can my little painting “Just a bit of Blarney” This wasn’t a hard exercise for me, because I do have abstract expressionist tendencies, Besides, the only thing more fun than a green horse, is a pink one.

So I started with the main photo by artist Linda Shantz. Then I flipped it and superimposed the two horses together, so they would look like twins standing side by side. That wasn’t too hard with my photo-impressions program. We also had size constraints, which I usually manage to miss sometimes. This time I thought I better make sure I got them right. So I needed to crop the new altered photo to fit 6 inches by 4 inches.

I noticed that this photo had a lot of Irish colors in it. White, green and orange predominantly. There was also violet for the snow. So I limited my pallet to greens, violets, siennas,  yellows and of course white. So then I began to paint fantasy animals of green, with violet blankets and the background being the yellows and sienna. I did keep the white of the blazes just because I like white blazes. That was the only logic in keeping the blazes white.

And thus we have “ Just a Bit of Blarney” a 4” by 6” acrylic painting on 90lb watercolor paper.

Yes, it will be for sale on my StoneFlur.etsy.com Wild Side store in etsy after the party is finished.

The Virtual pARTy runs from March 15th through March 20th. Each participating artist has 24 hours from start to finish to create a work of art from the same photograph.Click hereTo read more about the Vrtual pARTy .

To see some of my more realistic works or to order a pet portrait you can visit my other two Etsy Stores:
Linda L Martin Artist or L Martin Pet Portraits
Or simply go to http://www.etsy.com/ and search LLMartin and all my offerings will appear.

More of my little prints on Etsy

See what I just listed in my LindaLMartinArtist Shop on Etsy.com These are so Cute! Little ACEO/ATC Printed in house on my new Epson fine art printer. I am offering these for $4.95 each. If you see another painting or print I am not currently offering as an ACEO just message me in etsy from my LindaLMartinArtist shop in etsy. You can view these currently listed items there as well. I also have a whole grouping of originals listed too.

Time Challenges and New Prints of Originial Art by Linda L Martin Artist

Finally The first 6 of my newest prints from my watercolors are up in my main etsy store: LindaLMartinArtist.etsy.com

Well the Goal is to work well; but, not over work.

However, these past couple of weeks seem to be making my goal more distant. Trying to fit in Physical Therapy and reading technical books on the latest graphic design techniques is a bit of a challenge, when there is also marketing and creating already going on.

The new Fine Art printer is installed and in is special place in my studio and I have a reserve of special printing papers. I am taking a course in graphic design to better use my art toward profitability and I have now listed the first of my new prints on etsy.


We shall see where all this leads. I enjoy being busy, however, I really want to get some of these painting ideas out of my head and on canvas. Time has suddenly become very precious to me. It was before all of this; it is now even more so.


You can see my new prints on Etsy here: LindaLMartinArtist.etsy.com

Nikki.

Lately my cat Nikki has taken to sitting in front of my computer screen on my desk. He is trying to figure out why I spend so much time here. I have to do a lot of work on the computer. It’s often very time consuming.

Nikki being the intelligent animal that he is will sometimes grab at my typing or the curser.

He loves to watch any of the game movement. Mostly he just wants to be petted and scratched and of course spend time doing fun things with me.

Unfortunately this week the movable keyboard shelf totally fell off my desk and right into my lap. Now I have to use the space on my desk where the cat likes to sit for my keyboard. The  photos are the result of this change in my space. It’s quite funny.

You can read more about Nikki  and our last 17 years together on my website profile Artist Bio

CrazyHorses, and Why I Paint Them.

Crazy Horses

Ok well it’s not unusual for an artist to work in more than one medium and more than one style. The style I love to play in is Abstract Expressionism. These are free flowing almost emotional driven paintings that can sometimes be very spiritual and are always at least for me Very Very BRIGHT!

I usually work in this style, which is very fast for me, when I need to loosen up my more conventional work because it is a little too predictable. Working like this allows me work out some of the stress associated with the higher expectations of conventional portrait work.

I’m working a little at a time to fine tune them some while at the same time keeping them very free. These two paintings I finished last night are some the exercises. Almost like doodles. But so much more.

“Spirit Horses” and “The Foals” I hope you enjoy them both. In a few weeks they will be released through my Etsy StoneFlur Store as Fine Art Reproductions. If you would be interested in previewing and perhaps buying one then just email me at contact@llmartin.com Please write CrazyHorses in the subject line.

Update: "The Foals" and several other abstract expressionist prints and paintings have just be listed in my etsy store: Stoneflur.etsy.com Please check them out and let me know what you think. I am having some color adjustments to make with " The Spirit Horses" so please check back or email me if you would like to reserve a print. ( up-dated 3/11/09)

Miniature Art? Collectible? What is an ACEO?

Hi, Everyone! Well I just have to say there are many stories and descriptions of what an ACEO but of all the ones I have read over the last 6 years this is the one that I like the best. So this is my story and Im sticking with it!!

WHAT IS AN ACEO/ATC?
An Art Trading Card (ATC) and Art Card Edition or Original (ACEOs) is limited only in the size.
The standard is that it must be a work of art or reproduction that fits into the average sports trading card sleeve: 3.5 by 2.5 It can be any medium as long as it fits the standard.

Personally I have seen everything from bias relief sculptures to stained glass art to stone carvings and quilts in this Art Format. I use it quite often to practice for larger works of art. They tend to sell quickly and they are inexpensive enough for anyone of any age to begin collecting.

A BREIF HISTORY OR ACEO/ATC

As the story was told to me when it was suggested that I start producing this sort of work, as far back as 1500's in Europe, Artists would make small works of art and trade them among themselves so they could study each other’s style and brush techniques. This was an inexpensive way to use scrap materials laying around the studio without going to a lot of expense, which artists could ill afford anyway especially under the Patron system.

During the Victorian age there were so many of these floating around that wealthy Victorians would collect them and display them in little frames. Also during that time with so much money available in advertising Art Trading Cards (ATC) became popular ways to promote manufactured goods and products. Children could collect the mass-produced cards the way parents collected china and glasses in boxes of oatmeal or soap. These can often be found in Antique shops.

Of course we all remember bubblegum cards of the 1950's and 1960's. I colelcted a few of those Monkee's cards myself as a child. Not to mention the Baseball cards that people everntually sold for thousands of dollars.

In recent years Artists have found a market for their small format works of art through the internet auction venues and selling at local shops and art festivals with reproductions of their larger paintings in the ATC format. Artists have also benefited from production of Small Original works of Art also known as Miniatures in the ATC format.

As for myself. From 2005 until 2008 I painted and sold over 1500 of these little original works of art both through local venues and online. I heard later that one frame shop in the region was kept busy for a summer season predominantly framing my little original watercolors of rabbits, horses, and piggies.

To See More of My Very Cute ACEO's check out my  Spring Things in my Etsy Store: LindaLMartinArtist.etsy.com or  Search LLMartin under Handmade in Etsy to see all my work and Portraits. If you dont see what you like and have an idea just convo me in Etsy.

Pink Ponies for Spring !! Fun Little Minatures in ACEO format

 The Story of the Pink Pony
LindaLMartin(c)2010 All rights reserved

When I was a child my grandmother use to tell us this story about her experiences riding ponies with her friends after a day at the beach.  Everyone was mounted and ready to go except grandma. 

There was only one pony left. 

The poor thing had some sort of rash so the vet had suggested covering the pony with calamine lotion to reduce the itch. Well as we all know calamine lotion is pink. So the pony was covered from head to toe with pink.  

Grandma’s riding experience wasn’t a pleasant one but how many people do you know can make the claim that their grandma  actually rode a pink pony!

 These Pink Ponies are Acrylic paint on # 300 Strathmore Watercolor paper painted in the expressionist style. They are miniature in size and will come in a protective sleeve. These little paintings will be offered on my StoneFlur.etsy.com store for $9.50 ea.  I will post when they are up and ready to go.
Convo me on etsy if you would like one done in a different pose. Just in time for that little pony lover in your family to celebrate  Spring!

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My Submission to the Virtual pARTy for February 2010

Well here we are in the middle of the snowy feburary and this is my  entry for the Virtual pARTy.

It was Percy’s long lashes that fascinated me. Of course I kept thinking I wanted to put some sort of inner picture in that eye; Like a dancing horse or a snow man reflection, However, instead as I looked closer  at the blown up image some abstract depth of a snowy landscape seems to have appeared..  Whoever looks at him will still beable to imagine some deep illusive thing about about the horse.

My Painting is called: “Snow Globe”. It is a 4 by 4 inch quickstudy watercolor using a combination of wet, dry and lifting techniques to achieve this snow scene close up of the horse’s eye.

Remember each of the participating artists has to use the same reference photo and complete their work of art in 24 hours.

February’s Virtual pARTy. is Hosted by Linda Shantz and Kim Santini
The reference photo of Percy was taken by Kim Santini
For Details about participation in event and to see the rest of the artist’s work go to The Virtual pARTy blog.
Submission ends Midnight Saturday February 20th, 2010

"Harry" Pet Portrait and Illustration for Use-rfriendly Painting Information

I was trying to come up with a way to help my Etsy Stores to be both entertaining and user-friendly while explaining the process of making a pet portrait in simple terms. I painted this little 5” by 7 “ watercolor quick study of “Harry” to use as an illustration of the three step process I use to paint pet portraits. “ Harry” is from a reference photo I had laying around for another project.

Basically, I cropped the photo of “Harry”, then transferred the cartoon image to watercolor paper and scanned it. Then I painted the painting and scanned that. 1. 2. 3.   From the user provided photography to cartoon layout to painting.

With a brief description I explain each step of the process in synopsis form then laid it out and saved it in jpg format to up load into my photo’s in my Etsy Stores. The idea is to make information easier to find. I hope I accomplished that with these.  ( click on the  picture to see it in more detail)

You can see how the whole thing goes to gether with other 
jpgs of samples and information in my LMartinPetPortraits on Etsy. I'm in the process now of updating them.

New Portraits for February: For Dog Lovers

Newly Completed Pet Portrait

 

Bounty is a wonderful Bull Mastiff. He has been a wonderful family pet and such a gentle giant. This picture was taken  on a visit to the nursing home to visit his owners' Mother. I was told he was quite a hit among the residence because of his quiet friendly demeanor.

If you would like your special dog painted 

please contact me directly through Etsy, Facebook, or Twitter.

To order your Pet's watercolor head portrait immediately check out my store http://www.etsy.com/shop/LindaLMartinArtist on ETSY.com

New Portraits For February: For Cat Lovers

Newly Completed Commissioned Work

In the middle of a driving rain little Violet showed up at her new owner's door. The owners though one of her cats had been locked out  or escaped. But here was this little fluffy sherbert orange and white tabby kitten hungry, wet, and with an eye infection and needing a family. So after searching and searching for someone who might have lost this precious bundle of energy they decided to keep her for themselves.  

Originally very thin little Violet , according to her owner has now matured into a beautiful young cat who is now quite chubby and who will eat  almost any thing. In my painting of little Violet Ray I tried to show her as  the more mature kitten she is now and with out the eye troubles. I think she is a beautiful little cat!

If you would like your special kitty painted 

please contact me directly through Etsy, Facebook, or Twitter.

To order your Pet's watercolor head portrait immediately check out my store http://www.etsy.com/shop/LindaLMartinArtist on ETSY.com

Remembering a Good Friend :HorseRacing, Politics, History, Faith, Animal Rescue

Yesterday was truly a Sunny Monday. A bright day , yet filled with hard and bittersweet realities. I discovered that one of my oldest and dearest friends passed away from the side effects of cancer on February 5th.

My first remembrance of Lee was when I was 17. I was innocent and an animal lover. My only job has been with the Richmond SPCA in their youth training program. Lee was on the board of directors for The Julia Wagner Shelter in Warren County, Virginia. We had moved to Warren in 1971.
She was a young, beautiful and flamboyant woman. In the midst of my interview for a position with the now Humane Society of Warren County, Lee basically reminded everyone of their purpose. She said their “Great Leader, Miss Julia Wagner,” Had been young, close to my age when she began working to rescue her beloved animals. I was hired as a follow up case worker.

Lee always saw possibilities where no one else could. She was always positive, even when she sometimes felt uncertain. She would walk into any situation as if she was in command of the helm of a ship. It wasn’t so surprising considering that one of her ancestors was Jean La Feete’ that notorious pirate of old.


I would say she had 4 passions in life. Conservative Politics, US History, (especially “The War Between the Sates”) , animals, and Her beloved horses.


I really got to know Lee when we taught together. She was a wonderful teacher. She loved her students and she stood for no nonsense. Having said that, she was also gentle, kind and merciful and fair. She held everyone to the same standard she did herself, always taking into consideration their circumstances. Lee to my knowledge never treated anyone, no matter how poor or how rich with anything less than dignity.


Lee was always more than generous, sometimes a little intimidating, and she had a way of making anyone she met feel important and valued. I suppose many people would say those are leadership qualities.


Because of that sometimes people tried to take Lee for grant it or take advantage of her. Woe to anyone who tried to force their way in. She had boundaries that she let no one cross over. They were the same boundaries that allowed her to be one of the most gracious of hostesses, with flawless social skills that still allowed her to be herself in every situation.


The people who didn’t like Lee where usually people who tried to manipulate her. She would have none of it.


Lee was an intensely private person. She was one who had a strong testimony of faith and a life most people only dream of.


Few people were allowed into the inner circle. Some of us, she shared the stories of her life, were told them in such a fashion as though we were reliving a great adventure. And it was such an adventure! Inevitably someone from her past would show up, and there she would be introducing us to someone bigger than life who had in some way influenced modern history.


I never doubted anything she told me about things she did or people she met, because for those of us closest to her, there were photographs and mementoes and a cool drink by the fireplace while she opened up and shared those amazing things that were deep in her memory and her heart.


Sometimes things didn’t turn out as she had hoped in her life. Yet, she was always bold and courageous. She was always determined once she knew something must be done and had decided on the right course. She always did her best. Always tried to do the right and righteous thing. Never compromised what she believed in.


If the desired outcome was not achieved, Lee would say: “Such is Life”. And that would be the end to it. She would do as the Bible said in these instances: “Leaving the past behind, always moving toward the higher calling”


I will never forget the day she and Jim ran off to get married. She had set me up on a blind date. As we were leaving for dinner, in drove Lee and Jim. They were giggling like teens. Oh so very happy. She didn’t tell me until Monday that they had driven up to Maryland to elope. It was vintage Lee.


I wasn’t really surprised because she had told me prior, that she thought Jim was “the Love of her Life” She has been referring to him that way ever since. Personally, I thought it was wonderful. Jim and Lee were so right for each other. She called it love at first sight.


They moved to Texas when Jim retired. It was a wonderful move for them. Lee hated snow. Jim and I remembered it yesterday when we talked on the phone. “ Yes, she would go into a panic a the mere mention of it.” He said.


As I am sitting here writing this, I find it so hard to comprehend her not being there. Maybe someday I will get back to Del Rio and meet all the people, who had in recent years become so important to Lee and Jim. Especially her assistant and the young Vet that Lee considered to be “like daughters to me”.

This morning the picture I have in my head is of Lee surrounded by Rebel her black lab, Dante her thoroughbred Stallion, Purn her little yellow cat, and myriads of other animals, friends and family members that she has been reunited with.

The one awesome picture I have in my imagination is of the old groom from her childhood barn who kept telling her of Jesus. Lee told me this story of how all the children in the barn would make fun of him. But he just kept on loving them; He just kept on telling her of how much Jesus loved her. I can imagine him meeting her and taking her hand and leading her before the throne of God, and saying “ Here she is Jesus, this is the little one I’ve been telling you about.”

And so it begins, this new life of no more sorrows, no more pain, no more tears, reunited with all who love God and who believed Jesus. I expect there have been some welcome surprises. and many questions she always wondered the answers to.  It gives me great joy to know that Lee is sitting up there with the mutitude of saints looking down upon us and cheering us on as we walk steadily into our future where we will be reunited with all who love him.

He who begain a good work in Lee was more than faithful to complete it in her. Thankyou Dear God for the wonderful friend that Lee was and for the great legacy of generosity and love she left behind. Thank you for the blessing of her life, In Jesus name.

Mike's Eagle: My first time Watercolor of A Bald Eagle

A friend from HighSchool and I reconnected after nearly 30 years if not more. and much to my surprise I discovred that he was quite a good photographer. One day he was driving past a Mall in Northern Virginia out side of DC and he saw what he thought was a very large vulture or hawk. As he drew closer he discovered it was a Bald Eagle. He took some amazing photo's of the Bird. And then gave me and a nother friend from HighSchool the opportunity to try our hand at making art from them. This is the result of my first very serious watercolor painting of a Bald Eagle. Thanks Mike!

Z is for Zebra and Zebu: More Paintings from My Visit to Dixiemeadows Farm

Little Red Zebu Calf and Zebra 

both paintings are watercolors and sized  8 by 10 inches

One last Mare and Foal from the Art pARTy Image.

"Her Taffy Foal"

I just thought I needed to do one more little painting from the Art pARTy  image by Linda Shantz. This time the mare is gray and the foal is taffy. The painting is  9" by 6" watercolor on Starthmore 300 series Watercolor paper using artist grade Grumbacher watercolors

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My Entry for the Virtual Party

The Virtual pARTy Hosted by Equine Artist Linda Shantx.

From Linda's Blog:

"Participants are then invited to create art from the referenced image, Anything goes, but the artwork must have been started and finished within a 24 hour period."

 This is the Picture Linda took for us to use as a reference:

My Strategy:

For my entry I decided to do a little manipulation of the original Photography by Linda Shantz, My idea was to paint a quick watercolor painting in two sittings. The entire painting two about 8 to 9 hours.

The first thing I did was flip the entire composition. I also wanted more horses and absolutely no fence. I wanted the illusion of freedom so no halters were allowed in mine. Another thing I wanted the drama and peacefulness of  an intimate secluded meadow perhaps at the edge of an abandoned orchard. We see a lot of those type of  paddocks here in Virginia. They are thick with orchard grass and  shady trees.

My Painting: "Afternoon Pasture" 12 by 9 inches Watercolor

Both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses are likely to be seen where I live. But since this wasn't a formal farm I decided on some nice nice quarterhorses. Three mares and three foals. Actually I simply repeated the mare with the foal beside her. The mare in the back is just a smaller version of the larger mare on the right front. One of my very favorite things to do is also to turn a horse around. I did this when I turned the foal in the center back ( originally with his back to us) of the painting around to face us. He is actually the same foal that was with the mare. 

The last thing I did was to change the colors of the horses. I have three palominos in this  painting. Quite fun to do as well.  Because of the speed there is not as much detail as would be in a painting I would have taken pains with so the viewers eye must do more of the work.  All in all it was great fun. I cant wait to see what the other artists did. The greatest challenge with these events is to take the same  image and create something unique from all the other artists.

This Painting is available for sale on ETSY.com just follow the link: Buy Afternoon Pasture Here