Soul Kanji Daily Painting #13

This Painting is Available at My Art Store

October 21, 2007

Daily Painting #13

“Soul” on unframed, 10”x10” canvas, acrylic painting.

“Soul” is another Kanji Japanese symbol. I just love these Kanji symbols. They are so beautiful. When I look at them it is almost like I know what they mean without even reading the English translation. This one means SOUL. Soul is a simple & perfect word in my mind. It is a word I struggled with many years until now. Many different opinions about this word and varying ‘definitions’ must be the reason for my struggle. I’ve come to realize that opinions are like sphincters; everyone has one. I have my own internal opinions on the word SOUL and I am finally happy and at peace with my thoughts.

Once again, I used the pouring medium with acrylic paints to achieve this look of a glossy, marble finish. I just love the uncontrollable nature of the medium. I just follow along… adding color as I feel needed. I guess you could say it is a bit like trying to catch water in your hand. You have to have a gentle touch with it. If you try to clench your fist you will collect nothing. But if you keep an open hand, and let the water sift through… you’ll collect more than enough and plenty will slip through for other directions.

I recently watched a show on Oprah about the book, ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ by Elizabeth Gilbert. I immediately knew it was right up my alley. Many friends have read the book, but my friend Merrill suggested I try the audio book. (Big Thank You to Merrill!!) I am a BIG fan of the audio books, but all the audio books I’ve listened to are self-help books. So I am currently LISTENING to Elizabeth Gilbert’s book. Let me tell you. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU READ/LISTEN TO THIS BOOK. This will go on the shelf as one of my favorite books of all time. It’s now up there with my favorite books such as Walden, by Henry David Thoreau. I know some might think that’s a tall order to compare it with classics… but it is a modern day example of how to connect with God, your inner spirit, or any other title… in your OWN PERSONAL WAY.

I know I’ve been a bit absent from the Daily Paintings these days. I have good reason. I’ve been working on a big, new web page that will be live within the week. It is a place where people can visit and find many different articles, poems, music, pictures, etc that will make them feel joyful and inspired to ‘become the change they’d like to see in the world’. I am working on a painting specifically for this big announcement and I will attempt to release this Daily Painting with the notice.

I am still looking for possible new authors/writers who’d like to contribute articles for my site. PLEASE FORWARD TO ANY FRIENDS WHO MIGHT BE A MATCH AND/OR EMAIL ME IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. Specifically what I am looking for are stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things for others. NO BAD NEWS STORIES. For that crap anyone can just go to CNN, or Fox News, or any other news station, web site, etc. None of that will get press in my web-world. There are plenty of places for people to get their depressing news. You will never find that in my new site. I once heard this, ‘If you are always looking for occasions to be offended you’ll find them at every turn. Try to look for occasions to be grateful. Your entire world will change when you change the way you look at things.’

The painting can be viewed in my web page at:
http://www.GaylesPaintings.com

The eBay auction is available at:
http://stores.ebay.com/Gayles-Paintings

This auction will end on Sunday, October 28th, 2007. Also please note, I am leaving for Maui on Thursday, October 25, 2007. The painting will not ship until I return on November 5th, 2007.

Peace & Blessings,
Gayle Etcheverry

Love Daily Painting #7

This Painting is SOLD.

Daily Painting #7

September 23, 2007

“LOVE” is an acrylic painting on an unframed canvas. The kanji symbol in Japanese means ‘love’ and is also painted with acrylic paints. The process with this style of painting is completed with something called a pouring medium. I pour paint on the canvas and spread it around with a pallet knife. I really enjoy this style of painting. There is zero control of the paint. You can kind of direct the paint, but in the end you have no idea how it will actually look when it is dried. It is a wonderful analogy of life. I once heard a beautiful quote by Rumi saying, ‘I am the chariot and you oh lord are the driver’. Something I have been really trying to apply to my life is to stop making such strict plans. It’s okay to make guidelines in my life, but when I start to become a drill sergeant about my plans not only do I become a ‘bitch’ to live with (just ask Blaine)… life just isn’t much fun anymore. Another big must-have in my life is JOY. If it isn’t fun then I’m just not doing it. OR if it isn’t fun then I just change my attitude about it. Talk about a major shift in thinking. I won’t lie, sometimes it is very difficult, but it gets easier and easier to do the more I practice.

The word on my mind these days has been LOVE. It started with the LOVE Beatles show in Las Vegas. If you are there you must see it, even if you don’t like the Beatles. I must admit, I wasn’t that crazy about the Beatles before I saw the show. But I am a fan for life now. Now there is a new movie out in theaters called, ‘Across the Universe’ and it is a bit like the show in Vegas but movie form. It is directed by the same woman who did the Lion King on Broadway. I can’t wait to go see this movie! I’m sure once I do see the film a painting will come from it so stay tuned. So I’ve been walking around singing the song, ‘All you need is love’. Also in my Tao book by Wayne Dyer, verse #4 is called ‘Living Infinitely’ and he talks about rearranging your thoughts about who you are. He shares advise given by Nisargadatta Maharaj that left me speechless…

Wisdom is knowing I am nothing, Love is knowing I am everything, And between the two my life moves.

Then Wayne Dyer suggests while you’re living, stay as close to love as you can.

How different would your life be if you stayed as close to love as you could? Think about those situations in life where your immediate reaction is anger, hatred, fear? What if you reacted with love instead? It’s a much better place to live from anyway.

So to see my LOVE #7 Painting please visit my eBay store at the following link.

http://stores.ebay.com/Gayles-Paintings

There are two other paintings still up for auction. The ‘North Shore’ painting auction will end tonight, Sunday, September 23, 2007. The ‘Tree in Autumn’ still has about 5 days left.

Have a wonderful Sunday and stay tuned for #8.

Peace & Blessings,
Gayle Etcheverry

The Daily Paintings,
http://www.gaylespaintings.com

Red Dream Daily Painting #3

This painting is SOLD.

Daily Painting #3

Sept 4, 2007

This painting is a 10”x10” museum thickness canvas. It is painted with acrylics and inks. I must have the words ‘dream time’ in my brain because that was the theme that was ringing in my ears as I painted this one. Therefore I named it ‘Dream’ and the Kanji symbol in Japanese means ‘Dream’. I also felt like there are three dark dragons in the painting. If you look close you will find them.

This week I am working on a mural and the daily paintings will be on hold for a few days until it is finished. I am projecting the mural will be completed on Saturday September 8th. Look for my blogs. I will still post a few in the meantime to keep up the pace. ☺

Don’t forget the Dragonfly painting and the blue Lao-tzu piece are still up for auction at my eBay store. They both have a few more days left until the auction closes.

Well onto the mural. I hope you have a wonderful week and the Daily Paintings will continue in a few days.

Peace & Blessings,
XOXO Gayle Etcheverry

http:///www.gaylespaintings.com

Link to eBay auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180156585874