Achieving the Impossible!

Taking a deep breath and reminding myself to just do my best:

Not too late if anyone else wants to join the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. Visit Leslie Saeta's blog for all the deets.

They say growth comes from stepping outside our comfort zone. This coming month ought to see me grow by leaps and bounds!


Happy Painting,

Retta

Thanks For Lighting a Firecracker Under Me!

Before I get buried in the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge, I'd like to thank the artist that inspired me to stick my neck out and join this challenge: 

Carol McIntyre

You can find Carol's website Here, and her Facebook site Here. 

Carol shares many free tips (she is also an art teacher) on her blog Here. If you love color and would like to learn more, Carol REALLY knows color, and offers a video course called Acrylic Color Mixing Made Easy. 

During the last 3//30 Challenge, I followed along as Carol participated in the challenge, and was so taken by her delightful paintings, that I robbed my piggy bank and bought one I had fallen in love with. 

Here it is hanging my studio, the beautiful painting in the upper left corner. It is titled "Tools of Joy".

(can click on pic to enlarge to see

Carol's painting in upper left corner)

I've been wanting to do this Challenge for awhile now, but allowed others to talk me out of it by reminding me of all the reasons why I wouldn't be able to do it. I let that rob me of belief in myself. But no more! :-)

Thank you, Carol, for lighting a fire under me, and giving me the inspiration to try this Challenge!

Happy painting,

Retta

It's Almost Bunny Time!

Wow! This is a screenshot of the map for the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge, showing where all the participants live. 

We now have a little over 700 artists from all around this world. Can't wait to see what they all paint (and it's not too late to join up!)

Each day I plan to post a photo on Facebook of my painting "in progress". Later,  I'll post my 4x4 inch completed mini-art painting on my Facebook page and then also here on my blog. 

And guess what?? 

They will all be for sale! Each little painting will come with it's own FREE wooden mini display easel. So be sure to tune in on January 1st 2016 for all the details.

30 paintings in 30 days for $30 

All the little 4" x 4" acrylic paintings will be $30 each,

including a FREE wooden mini display easel and

FREE shipping in the US

(other locations please email me for 

shipping charges at artbyretta@gmail.com)

Since they are being sold on a first come first served basis, anyone interested can email me at artbyretta@gmail.com with any questions, and I can send you a Paypal invoice if you'd like one for your very own (you don't need a Paypal account). 

This is going to be exciting... I sure hope I can keep up!

Happy painting,

Retta

Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days--coming soon!

Well, I've gone an dun it!

I signed up for the Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge, led by Leslie Saeta. 

Half of me is sooo excited, since I've been wanting to do this quite awhile.

The other half (probably the sane half) is wondering what in the world am I thinking?!

Well, this quote from Roald Dahl will explain it:

"I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life. 

If you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it full speed. 

Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it 

and above all become passionate about it. 

Lukewarm is no good."

There will NEVER be the "perfect" time. There will always be something going on that will tempt me to say "maybe later".  But all we have is Now. Today. It's a gift, and I don't want to waste it. 

My theme for the 30/30 Challenge is: Bunnies! 

Detail from Rabbit Dreams

by Retta Stephenson

Yes, rabbits, cottontails, bunnyrabbits, hares. We had bunnies when I was a kid, and after I was married we raised rabbits awhile. I adore bunbuns!

With so much heartache in the news these days, I wanted to do a series of images that were uplifting, happy, encouraging. Words like tender, gentle, joyful and kind came to mind.

Close up from Rabbit Dreams

by Retta Stephenson

It starts on January 1st, 2016. 

Stay tuned for more details!

Happy painting,

Retta

PS:  If you are an artist and so inclined, you can join the Challenge, too. Visit Leslies blog for the info.