Painting #21 Of Thirty Dogs And A Cat Challenge

"Roxanne"

© Norma Wilson, original oil on canvas 12"by 12"

This beautiful gal charmed her family for thirteen years and her "Mom" asked if she could be a model for this month's challenge. Thanks so much for allowing me to spend time with Roxanne! She looks like a strong and loving soul.

Painting #1 of Thirty Dogs And A Cat Challenge!

Missy

It seems entirely appropriate that the cat be represented first! This sweet gal lives in North Carolina with my cousin Kathy. Hope she likes how I captured her baby. Sure had

fun with the fur and as always...tweeked the color a bit. Do you have a pet that you'd like to see captured during my challenge this month? All portraits are 12" by 12" and if you decide to purchase, there will be a 50.00 discount for being one of my models! I'd better

get back to work. :-)

Thirty One Dogs And A Cat! In Thirty One Day

It is time to begin a new challenge of painting and posting thirty one dogs...and a cat for the thirty one days of March! I need your help! Your pet can be featured on my blog and on my Facebook page in an oil portrait that is 12" by 12". You will also receive 50.00 off if you choose to purchase your pet's painting during this time. I am so excited to get started! I have several people who have
already submitted photos to me on Facebook. If you receive this and don't do Facebook, you can send me your photos to normasfineart@gmail.com. To prepare my studio and my psyche for this
challenge, I decided to give my studio a makeover. It really helped to set the stage for a peaceful
painting process and an organized effort. I know know how many canvases I own and how much
paint etc. Hope you enjoy! Hope you will join me in this fun!

Oh Chihuahua!

Oh Chihuahua!

© Norma Wilson, original oil on canvas 8"x 10"

225.

Such a face! I have spent the past year taking a masterclass with Lisa Call which has helped me to zero in on my values and focus on increasing my productivity and joy in the studio. I have not blogged in awhile but have been having a blast since Christmas painting what makes me happiest!

I actually had an epiphany moment when I realized that it is o.k. to embrace that I love to paint animal portraits and not feel that I need to be painting still life, floral, landscape, and seascapes too.

Unless I feel drawn to it as  much as I am to these faces! I literally have a smile on my face for

hours as I work on them. I must admit to talking to them occasionally too. It doesn't get any better than that. 

To help me keep smiling and spending lots of time in my studio, I am planning a thirty animal portraits in thirty days project beginning March 1st. I need your help. Stay tuned for more details in the coming week...

Paint Night In Virginia Beach!

I am very excited to be offering this class at the Stravitz gallery across the street from our
beautiful oceanfront.  If you live locally or will be in town the last weekend of the month,
join me as we paint this cow! Everything is included so all you have to do is show up and have
fun as I guide you through the process.  Hope to see you there!

Showing Up

You Get My Goat 11

© Norma Wilson, original oil on panel 12" by 12"

Available Through Gallery

  Lately I have been loving goats. I was especially taken with this one and the sweet expression.  

Working at home can have it's perks as well as being quite a challenge.  Especially when you are working for yourself and there is no one checking with you to find out if your are ACTUALLY working! I have heard artists lament about how they cannot paint when they are not inspired and have been guilty of this thinking very often.  The problem with that is if you are earning a living doing this, and you don't "feel" like painting.....you run out of product! Then, a gallery calls and requests more work or a client contacts you online or goes to your web site to see new work! So, as part of my year long masterclass, I have been experimenting with the number of hours I spend in my studio per week and have found that  fifteen hours is very doable but my goal is to increase to twenty.  I teach thirteen hours a week and spend time marketing and preparing for classes as well.  The amazing part about just showing up every day to paint is that inspiration follows.  Just physically being surrounded by my supplies and works in progress often gets the creativity juices flowing and if not, I will spend time toning a canvas or picking up an older piece and taking it in a new direction. I think just showing up applies to all kinds of things like exercise, volunteering, eating well, self care, regular check ups, etc. First, a commitment has to be made and for me, the accountability is so important to keep me from procrastinating!  Hope you have a great weekend!  Thanks so much for checking in! 

Seeing Triple!

Seeing Triple!

© Norma Wilson, oil on canvas 20 by 20

Available Through Gallery

One of this week's exercise in my Working In A Series class with Lisa Call was to Create spatial depth and one of the possibilities was by overlapping elements in the design.  I originally had the idea of over lapping cows in more of a "ghost like way" but instead it morphed into three cows and I was really excited about the turn that my series took in both color and form!  Can't wait to see where it goes from here.  I highly recommend this class if you are intrigued by working in a series.

Yesterday, I attended the new documentary called "Matisse, Exhibition On Screen" and it was wonderful.  I was familiar with a couple of his works but really had no idea of the depth and breath of his work spanning more close to sixty years.  I learned so much and found the movie to be both inspirational and very entertaining.

Just for giggles, check out the tap dancing cow below. :-)

Norma Wilson Original Oil Horse Equine Barn Animal Painting Art

Captivating Beauty

24" by 24" on gallery wrap canvas

Purchase Information

Last year while visiting an Irish vineyard in Northern Vineyard,  I was delighted to meet this

beautiful horse.  I enjoyed spending time with her again...this time on canvas!

Norma Wilson Original Oil Kerry Cow Farm Animal Painting Art

Kerry Cow Bathed In Light

10" by 10" original oil on canvas

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I had so much fun painting this pretty gal all awash in the sunny Irish landscape!

Norma Wilson Original Oil Black Labrador Retreiver Dog Pet Portrait Painting Art

8" by 8" original oil on panel

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I love to paint pets!  Ask me how you can have your pet's portrait painted!  I work from your photographs.  Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Loosey Goosey Bird Painting Landscape Art

Loosey Goosey 

12" by 12" original oil on canvas with sides painted.

295.

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This painting is named after one of my favorite childhood poems!

Chicken Little Chicken Little Stood around Underneath a tree. Something fell and Hit her head. She said, "Goodness me!" "Oh my goodness!" She did screech. "The sky is falling!" She ran around Yelling out, "We must tell the king!" Goosey Loosey Was the first To hear Chicken's tale. I think they both Must have been Drinking too much ale. Goosey Loosey, Chicken, too, Saw Ducky Lucky. They told him, and Then he said, "That is quite sucky." Cocky Locky Was their next Stop along the way. They told him, and He freaked out. He joined them that day. Foxy Loxy Walked right up, Eyeing the small group. He looked right at The Chicken And said, "What's the scoop?" Chicken Little Told the fox, "The sky is falling! If we want to Save our skins, We must tell the king!" Foxy Loxy Said he'd help, But they had to run. Foxy Loxy Chased them and Gobbled up each one. It amazes Me how this Whole thing got started Because I threw A rock at Chicken Little's head. Eric McGill

Hope you have a fantastic Friday!

Standing By Mom Cow Painting Animal Art!

Standing By Mom

12 by 24" original oil on canvas with sides painted.

495.

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It was so good to get back to painting today after a time away in Lynchburg catching up with a dear college friend.  We reminisced and laughed and at times it seemed like it was just yesterday that we walked to class together.  I came back and saw this mother and baby calf that I started long before I moved here to the beach and with my refreshed eyes, I decided to bring them to life!  I love those transparent oils and the light I am able to capture using them.  Hope your summer is going well so far.  It was good to get a bit of relief from the extreme heat of the last week.  I forgot to tell Andrew to water my plants so they were looking pretty stressed but I had a few cucumbers!!  It is amazing how delicious they are when you grow them yourself!  Thank you for checking in with me!

Irish Spring Calf

Irish Spring Calf

16" by 20" original oil on wrap around canvas with sides painted

595.

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My friend, Barbara, sends me pictures of her neighbor's cows in the spring and this is the latest.  I had done a small study of her face but really wanted to capture her in her full body stance with those strong legs that she is quickly growing into and the wonderful curious look on her face.  I do love these cows with the sun shining on their beautiful white faces!  Hope you do too!  Have a fantastic Monday!

#139 Moon glow

#139  Moon Glow

6" by 6" original oil on canvas with sides painted.

150.

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More fun reinventing a painting using the transparents first and changing things up.  She started out with a dark nose and black ears.  I played up the light and like her glow.  Hope your weekend is going well.  I got some more plants today and found some fun containers for painting some still life paintings soon.  I found an old blue canning jar like the one from my workshop.  It is getting late.  As my mother used to say...tomorrow is another day!  Night Night.

#130 Cary Cow

#130  Cary Cow

12" by 12" original oil on canvas with sides painted

350.

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One day while I was away, Susan and I saw this cow grazing at a farm on the way to her studio.  She pulled over so I could get a picture and the light on her was just beautiful in the late day sun.  She stopped eating long enough to pose for me and I love how the transparent oil colors helped me capture that glow.  Today was a fun day with Andrew's buddies here to celebrate his birthday and enjoying the gorgeous day at the beach.  I got back to yoga finally and had a great class.  Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

There are 3 ways you can make a real difference on this blog: 1. Tell a friend. Share the link to this site with just one other person. 2. Post your thoughts in the comment section. 3. Email any questions or suggestions to me at normasart@cox.net. My blog: http://normasdailypaintings.blogspot.com. My website: http://www.normawilsonfineart.com

Female Mountain Bluebird

Female Mountain Bluebird

6" by 6" original oil on panel

$125

I loved the light on this bird and really enjoyed working on it.  I am SO happy it is the weekend as my sons will be home!  I can't write much now as one will be here any minute.  The cat is on my typing arm again.  She LOVES Andrew so I am sure my arm will be cat free during all of spring break.  I don't mind being second choice though...I love to see how excited she gets when he gets home.  She will be going in circles, purring and meowing like crazy soon!  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!  Thanks for stopping for a visit!  

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There are 3 ways you can make a real difference on this blog: 1. Tell a friend. Share the link to this site with just one other person. 2. Post your thoughts in the comment section. 3. Email any questions or suggestions to me at normasart@cox.net. My blog: http://normasdailypaintings.blogspot.com. My website: http://www.normawilsonfineart.com

Isabella

$125

 Isabella

6" by 6" original oil on wrap around canvas with sides painted.

Well, the weekend flew by with projects and time spent with my son Andrew but I got back to work today in my studio and working on the tax books for last year.  I am still mulling over my challenges for this year.  To help me for inspiration I am going to be painting with friends this week and taking lost of photographs.  I added a new application to my blog which shows thumbnails of some of my favorite blogs and their most recent posts.  I also changed the look of my blog a bit just to change things up.  I think the writing and links show up a little better now.  We are supposed to be getting a mixture of snow and rain tomorrow so it will be another good day of painting.  If you would like any information about this painting or any of my other piece, please contact me at normasart@cox.net


Buy It Now   

There are 3 ways you can make a real difference on this blog: 1. Tell a friend. Share the link to this site with just one other person. 2. Post your thoughts in the comment section. 3. Email any questions or suggestions to me at normasart@cox.net. My blog: http://normasdailypaintings.blogspot.com. My website: http://www.normawilsonfineart.com

Still Beautiful At Ninety

Still Beautiful at Ninety

12 by 12 original oil

I have been working on this portrait of someone special in my family who has a beautiful spirit and kind gentle way about her.  This is still a work in progress but I wanted to post and let you know that I am working on the details of my challenges for the New Year.  Yes....I did say challenges.  I have wanted for a long time to do a series of beautiful women of mature years...anyone over forty who has lived some life and experienced both joy and loss and some time on this earth well lived.  When I finish this piece I will share more about this special lady and about the details of my challenge.  My other focus involves animals and I will begin that soon.  I need your help though...in the form of references...beautiful ladies that you will allow me to paint.  I will be doing them in a 6" by 6" format so I can complete one in a day....or two depending on the day!  I have some faces to begin with but if you would like to send me a picture, e-mail me at normasart@cox.net.  Thank you!  Welcome to my new subscribers and followers!  I love sharing this journey with my fellow artists and readers. I am excited to get the first picture to paint...a little nervous too but I will power through it....:-) 

There are 3 ways you can make a real difference on this blog: 1. Tell a friend. Share the link to this site with just one other person. 2. Post your thoughts in the comment section. 3. Email any questions or suggestions to me at normasart@cox.net. My blog: http://normasdailypaintings.blogspot.com. My website: http://www.normawilsonfineart.com

 Schnauser Angel

10" by 10" original oil on wrap around canvas with sides painted.

I am working slowly back into a routine after the holidays.  I worked on two paintings 

and picked some pictures to start my challenge of painting people...most especially women

in their golden years.  I was going to start with my Mom but found that it was too tough still

to think about doing that so I may start with my aunt.  I need to check with her to see if it is o.k first.

It has been awhile since I have painted people faces so I may spend some time sketching first.  This painting if available by contacting me at normasart@cox.net for information and I also do custom pet potraits of you pooch or kitty if you send me a picture!  Thanks for stopping by!

There are 3 ways you can make a real difference on this blog: 1. Tell a friend. Share the link to this site with just one other person. 2. Post your thoughts in the comment section. 3. Email any questions or suggestions to me at normasart@cox.net. My blog: http://normasdailypaintings.blogspot.com. My website: http://www.normawilsonfineart.com

Red Bird

6" by 6" on wrap around canvas with sides painted making framing optional.

"I have been in love with painting ever since I became conscious of it at the age of six.  I drew some pictures which I thought fairly good when I was fifty, but really nothing I did before the age of 70 was of any value at all.  At seventy-three, I have at last caught every aspect of nature -- birds, fish, animals, insects, trees, grasses, all.  When I am eighty I shall have developed still further, and will really master the secrets of art at ninety.  When I reach one hundred my art will be truly sublime, and my final goal will be attained around the age of onehundred and ten, when every line and dot I draw will be imbued with life."     Hokusai (1760-1849)

My friend and fellow artist, Gina Buzby shared this quote with me. It really spoke to me about having goals but then enjoying the journey.  We are students of life as long as we have breath left in us!  Yesterday I had fun with the ladies I teach at Harbor's Edge and we were brainstorming about things to learn and try in the New Year with our painting.  One of the things I have always wanted to do is paint small portraits of women who are seniors as they have lived and loved and seen so much!  If you have any pictures to share with me of someone who would be willing to have me paint them or even from an old picture of someone no longer living, please send it to me at normasart@cox.net.  I can't promise to paint all of them but I will give them a try.  This is one of the goals that is formulating in my mind for the New Year.  Thank you!  Have a wonderful weekend.  p.s. the picture can be close up of the face or a candid shot doing an activity :-)  I have one of my Mom on my screened porch that I started to do as a painting years ago and not I can't find it!!  I will keep searching though as it was a perfect moment of relaxation with her reading and enjoying her time here visiting.