paintings, gratitude and a giveaway!

So, it's finally happened. I've decided to take the plunge and sell my paintings on Etsy. I've wanted to do this ever since I started painting. Actually, I dreamed of this before I ever began painting. And now I finally feel ready. Yes, I'm a bit nervous, but I'm not going to dwell on that. Instead I'm looking at these paintings that I've gathered and thinking about how much I like them. How much Joy they bring me. Each alone fills me with Joy. This mosaic of them together* fills me with Joy. The act of painting them brought me Joy, too. Yes, I  sometimes get frustrated with painting and I have doubts and failures, but I keep painting. Because I want to. Because I love it. Because I am a painter. There. I've said it.

I want to thank all of you who have been so supportive and encouraging during my painting education. Each kind comment has meant so much. Every bit of encouragement has helped me to keep going. I know that continuing to paint despite frustrations and fears and failures would have been so much harder without this amazing cheering section.

I was going to gush about particular cheerleaders and sources of inspiration, but I've decided that I'm going to keep this general and keep this short. Those of you who have been particularly supportive know who you are. I appreciate it so much!

To celebrate and as a thank you to everyone who participates in this wonderful blogosphere, I'm having a giveaway! One lucky winner will receive this painting:

Seven acorns. Of my two acorn paintings from this fall, this one is my favorite. Each of these little acorns seems to have such personality. I enjoyed collecting them and I enjoyed painting them. I will enjoy choosing someone to receive the painting. And I hope the winner will enjoy hanging it somewhere in their home.

It's painted on Lanauqarelle hot press, 140 lb, 100% cotton, acid free watercolor paper. The painting measures about 4" x 6" (the package says 4" x 6" but the actual measurements are 4 1/8" x 5 7/8").

Just leave a comment on this post and I'll enter your name into the drawing to win this painting (because one of the awesome things about the blogosphere is the fact that I have "met" people from all over the world through it, I'm willing to send this painting anywhere in the world, so don't hesitate to enter even if you live far away!). Giveaway is open until December 7th. The giveaway is now closed. Thank you to everyone for their kind comments.

Take a look at my Etsy shop, too, if you get a chance. Each of the 15 paintings featured in the mosaic at the top is now listed there.


*Note: the mosaic does not show the paintings to scale and is a bit deceiving for a couple of them. The listings on Etsy give each paintings dimensions.