Entry for Nibblefest's February Theme 'Domestic Animals'

I did it....!

My February 2013 Nibblefest Art Contest Entry (8 x 6)

I got my Nibblefest Art Contest entry finished in time yesterday, and was able to upload and enter it into the contest last night as a 5 Day listing.  So glad the rules allow for some wiggle room, because sometimes you just need it....

 Auction Link HERE 

Speaking of 'wiggle', I think it's pretty clear the subject matter of my entry this time around -- not a lot of need for lengthy descriptions!  Though I will say, as usual, when this month's theme "Domestic Animals" didn't conjure up a lot of promising ideas for me otherwise, I went looking to my usual 'musical influences' default fall-back.  "Domestic Animals" made me naturally think of 'dogs'...... -- so, just how many 'dog' references can you think of in popular music?    Probably a good many, but the very first one to come to my mind was the classic early rock ditty, "Hound Dog".   Besides, I've been fishing for an excuse to paint Elvis -- always fun to tackle those much beloved, iconic historical faces.  And ayway I figure one just can't go wrong with The King.....

The following is my auction description:

"Ain't Nothin' But...."

My entry for this month's Nibblefest Art Contest (NFAC) (~the theme for February being 'Domestic Animals') is a 5-Day auction for an original acrylic painting on an 8 x 6 found, flat wooden plaque.  "Aint Nothin' But...." is signed and ready to hang.

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Regular bidders will know I love looking toward musical influences for inspiration when casting about for monthly Nibblefest theme ideas.  Reflecting upon "Domestic Animals" this month made me think of 'dogs'.  'Dogs' made me think of 'hounds'.  And 'hounds' naturally made me think of.... ELVIS!   (Really, how could I resist...???)

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Note that this also officially constitutes my Faces #13 and #14 of the '29 Faces' Challenge  -- never mind that I have fallen so hopelessly behind by now, I'm still aiming to catch up.  Or try to at least......!

EBSQ's 'Art of the Day'

Another lovely surprise this morning -- again a piece of mine is being featured as EBSQ's 'Art of the Day'!  The theme this week for their 'Art of the Day' series is "Let's Eat" -- as such I'm thrilled that my painting, "Tom's Diner", with its coffee-swilling, people-watching cafe customer, apparently fits the bill.  Like I always say (and I do mean always) being chosen 'Art of the Day' always feels a little bit like being 'Queen of the Day' -- thanks so much, EBSQ....! 

A screenshot of today's EBSQ's front page, with my 'Tom's Diner' in the upper left corner

"Tom's Diner" was my Nibblefest Art Contest entry,  way back in August, when the monthly theme was 'Coffee': 

Side View of "Tom's Diner"

Now all these months later, we've arrived at yet another Nibblefest, but without me in it.  As I mentioned in my previous post, thanks to being recently sick I missed the the official start two days ago, on the 20th.  With everything going I on, I initially figured I could just sit this month out.  After all, it's been a long time since a month has gone by without me participating -- no harm in a break every now and then.   However, typical me, when I tuned in and saw all the  lovely 'Domestic Animals' art entries (to see them all click here), it felt like I was missing out on all the fun.   So, not one to be left out, I'm working madly this afternoon on a 'Domestic Animals'-themed painting I can enter into the Contest tonight for a 5 Day auction.  Hopefully I can get complete it in time -- stay tuned....!

Sick.....

.....and how.   

I've been waylaid by The Flu since last week, and ay carumba, has it ever been a doozy.  Fevers, chills, aches/pains, dizzy spells, congestion, the works....!  Fortunately though I see light at the end of the tunnel (and without too many spots before my eyes now, thank goodness) in that I can actually sit upright today for extended periods of time, so I guess that's progress.  Unfortunately it does however now mean I have fallen crazy behind in pretty much all areas of life.  It's amazing how just a few consecutive days of unplanned (and unwanted) 'rest' can throw everything out of whack!  I'm so woefully backlogged with the '29 Faces' Challenge by this point I'm wondering how I can ever catch up -- not to mention my beloved Nibblefest Art Contest starting tomorrow, the 20th (February's theme: 'Domestic Animals').  I haven't missed a month of the Contest in a very long time, but sadly this is one I might have to sit out.   Oh well, whatever the case, it's very good to be back among the land of the living again -- very grateful for that and for my good health in general!  Something I never want to take for granted.

Thanks so much everyone for all the comments and positive feedback that I've been receiving, I really and truly appreciate it!  Good luck with all your Faces, everyone -- hopefully I'll be returning soon to my regularly-scheduled 'same old, same old' routine, including more Faces of my own.....

Day 12 of the '29 Faces' February Art Blog Challenge

As of today we find ourselves on Day 12 of the '29 Faces' Challenge.  After an especially busy weekend Chez Patience, with the last few days since little better, I found myself getting a bit behind in my Challenge Faces (not to mention my Challenge blogging.  And comment replies!).  Happily however I'm officially catching back up again today with some funny little homemade anthropomorphic heart valentines cards I whipped up this afternoon.  I do enjoy making handmade Valentines for my family, and do so every year.  So while these may not be the most exciting of specimens perhaps, nevertheless with two 'faces' per card, these officially represent my #9, #10,  #11 and #12 Faces of the '29 Faces' February 2013 Art Blog Challenge:

'Happy Hearts' Valentine's Card

More Happy Hearts :-)

Nibblefest Blog Post: February's theme 'Domestic Animals'

Oops, it appears I've fallen behind in my Faces (in addition to my replies to comments -- so sorry!) for the '29 Faces' Challenge....!   But no worries, I'm aiming to catch up with all of that by tonight.  In the meantime, check out the entry I just composed and curated for the Nibblefest Art Contest Blog (click to see my post HERE),  introducing February's theme, 'Domestic Animals', and featuring lots of fine Nibblefest Artist artwork (including this one of mine):

"Pierre"

Day 8 of the '29 Faces' Art Challenge: More Student Work

It's the 8th Day of the '29 Faces' February 2013 Art Blog Challenge, with the first week officially behind us (and let me tell you, if the next few weeks cruise as crazy quickly as this past one did, this month will FLY by).....

If you've been following my Challenge progress, you will know I started my 29 Faces exactly a week ago with a 'face' that wasn't actually my own, but was a self portrait by my private art student's.   As of this afternoon another student finished HER self portrait that she'd been working on under my instruction for the past number of weeks, which I am very pleased and proud to share today as 'my' #8 Face:

Another beautiful self-portrait by my art student, as completed today.

As with my student's portrait from last week, this student has been patiently painting her self portrait under my guidance for the past number of weeks, taking direction/suggestions thoughtfully, and approaching her project with consideration and care.....,

Self Portraits in Progress -- laying down color

.....resulting in another really lovely and expressive work of art.....!   

Very proud of my talented and capable young students....

Another lovely 11 x 14 Student Self Portrait....!

Day 7 of the '29 Faces' February Challenge: "Frida"

My Face for Day 7 of the '29 Faces' February 2013 Art Blog Challenge:

"Frida" on a 3" x 4" wood plaque

Guess it was a 'Frida' sort of day today.  Using another one of those funny little, 2nd-hand wooden plaques that I've amassed over the years, I realized I really didn't feel like thinking too terribly much this afternoon.   Plus I figure you can never go wrong with Friday Kahlo (in fact I think it's safe to say you'll likely see more of lovely visage in here before the month is through).....

For size reference:

Photographed (in really bad lighting) with a quarter for size reference