"Squirrel" Daily Painting #29

This painting is AVAILABLE at My Store

January 22, 2008

“Squirrel” Daily Painting #29

This is a 6”x8” acrylic painting on canvas. This squirrel is so cute. LOVE the squirrels. Lucy loves them too, but she tries to eat them. ☺ Anyway, I just thought it would be fun to try a painting of one and here it is. I really like the way this one turned out. I did make one of those fun little videos at youtube… http://www.youtube.com/GBHartists to see it.

So I decided to try a new avenue with my online store. I now have two options. All of my paintings are up and available on my web site and also I started a store at Etsy. I’ll include the links at the bottom of the email. Etsy is a great web site for crafters/artists to sell their stuff.

Dena and I are working at the SAG awards this week, so there will only be a few of these daily paintings for this week until it is over. This is also why you haven’t heard much from me for the past few days.

Well I hope you all are having a great week and I’ll be back for another Daily Painting soon!

Peace & blessings,
Gayle Etcheverry

My web site:
http://www.GaylesPaintings.com

My Etsy Store:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5557354

Clouds Daily Painting #22

This painting is available at My Art Store

Daily Painting #22
“Clouds”

January 4, 2008

Well it is official, the first Daily Painting of 2008! Woo Hoo! I thought it would be fitting to paint these clouds as a study for a private commission job I am currently working on. This canvas is 12”x12” and in acrylic paint. You can check out a little one-minute video I put together as a slide show of the painting at my youtube site

http://www.youtube.com/GBHartists

The beautiful sky filled with fluffy clouds seemed a perfect subject to paint, especially because it is raining here. I know most of the country is having crappy weather right now too, so here’s something to brighten you day!

It felt so good to get up in the loft and paint I must admit. Like an old friend I haven’t seen in a while… we were quickly and happily reunited.

Well I must keep today’s blog short. I’m off to everyone’s favorite, Trader Joe’s!

So until next time, have a great day!!

Peace & blessings,
Gayle Etcheverry

http://www.GaylesPaintings.com

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

Swan Lake Daily Painting #12

This Painting is Available at My Art Store

Daily Painting #12

October 14, 2007

“Swan Lake” is an acrylic painting on an unframed, 9”x12” canvas. The subject matter is from a photograph I took this summer at our friends home in Fenton, Michigan. Maria and Adam live on a beautiful lake and they took Blaine and I for a boat ride /cruise through the lakes. It was just picture perfect. We stopped the boat and found this swan just hanging out looking for something to eat. I just adore this photograph. I think the swan is the perfect symbol for grace.

I always enjoy pulling out my Animal Medicine Cards, and as I read what Swan was about, it immediately gave me Goose/God Bumps and tears to my eyes. I just HAVE to copy what was written so you can read the message too. So here it goes (I apologize for it is a bit long):

Little Swan flew through the Dreamtime, looking for the future. She rested for a moment in the coolness of the pond, looking for a way to find the entry point to the future. This was a moment of confusion for Swan, as she knew that she had happened into the Dreamtime by accident. This was her first flight alone and she was a bit concerned by the Dreamtime landscape. As Swan looked high above Sacred Mountain, she saw the biggest swirling black hole she had ever seen. Dragonfly came flying by, and Swan stopped him to ask about the black hole. Dragonfly said, “Swan, that is the doorway to the other planes of imagination. I have been guardian of the illusion for many, many moons. If you want to enter there, you would have to ask permission and EARN the right.” Swan was not so sure that she wanted to enter the black hole. She asked Dragonfly what was necessary for her to earn entry. Dragonfly replied, “You must be willing to accept whatever the future holds as it is presented, without trying to change Great Spirit’s plan.” Swan looked at her ugly little duckling body and then answered, “I will be happy to abide by Great Spirit’s plan. I won’t fight the currents of the black hole. I will SURRENDER to the flow of the spiral and TRUST what I am shown.” Dragonfly was very happy with Swan’s answer and began to spin the magic to break the pond’s illusion. Suddenly, Swan was engulfed by a whirlpool in the center of the pond. Swan reappeared many days later, but now she was graceful and white and long-necked. Dragonfly was stunned! “Swan, what happened to you!” he exclaimed. Swan smiled and said, “Dragonfly, I learned to surrender my body to the power of Great Spirit and was taken to where the future lives. I saw many wonders high on Sacred Mountain and because of my faith and my acceptance I have been changed. I have learned to accept the state of grace.” Dragon was very happy for Swan. So it is that we learn to surrender to the grace of the rhythm of the universe, and slip from our physical bodies into the Dreamtime. Swan medicine teaches us to be at one with all planes of consciousness, and to trust in the Great Spirit’s protection. Swan medicine is telling you to accept your ability to know what lies ahead. If you are resisting your self-transformation, relax; it will be easier if you go with the flow. Stop denying that you know who is calling when the phone rings. Pay attention to your hunches and your gut knowledge, and honor your female intuitive side. (from MEDICINE CARDS by Jamie Sams & David Carson)

Is that not just the most perfect thing you’ve heard all week?!?! Funny how fitting this is with my life right now.

As you know I’ve been working up in Saugus painting the big Oscar statues with my business partner, Dena D’Angelo. Well we are almost finished with the job, just two days left. Unfortunately, there was a serious truck pile up on the freeway that we take home from the job site so we are not sure when we’ll be back to finish. As tragic as the accident was, it reminds me to not be strict and stuck to my plans. One of my favorite quotes is, ‘Want to make God laugh? Tell him/her your plans.’ Well, I am going to stay in a state of grace about the whole thing and take my time back to finish up some web projects and to of course continue with my daily paintings.

I hope you enjoy this painting as much as I do.

Peace & Blessings,
Gayle Etcheverry

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

web page: http://www.gaylespaintings.com

Tree in Autumn Daily Painting #6

This Painting is SOLD.

September 21, 2007

Daily Painting #6

‘Tree in Autumn’ on unframed canvas, 10”x10”

I used acrylic paints for this painting. If you look closely you’ll find many crazy colors in the tree and the trunk. When I was a little girl, my Aunt Maggie taught me the first lesson in color theory. She pointed out to a tree and asked me, ‘What color is that tree?’. I of course said, ‘The leaves are green and the trunk is brown’. She quickly explained there were many different colors in the tree and if you used your imagination and got yourself ‘out of the box’ you could really make the tree pop with color. Ever since then, I have always loved to paint with extreme and unexpected colors. Big kudos to Maggie for this first lesson. ☺

I decided to paint this tree because Fall is my favorite season of all. I grew up in Michigan and the Fall was always my favorite. The colors on the trees in magnificent this time of year. Being in California these days I don’t get to see it that intense anymore. I’d say it’s one of the things I miss about the Midwest, besides my family and friends of course. Although I live in sunny California now, I can feel a chill in the air. Leaves are falling here. They just fall for a REALLY long time. I guess the Fall takes me back to being a child. I used to play in the leaves, the beginning of the new school year, football games, Halloween…. What a great time to be a child. This must be why I still love Halloween. Good thing I married a man who loves Halloween as much as I do!

This is my second landscape painting in a row. I’ve never really painted a landscape before and I must say I like it. Thank you to Blaine for suggesting it. I’m sure I’ll paint more in the future. I’d like to say that I welcome any photographs you may have taken and think it would make a good painting for me. Please feel free to email them to me at gayleetcheverry@sbcglobal.net I will give you a shout out if I use it and also plug your business if you have one to share!

I’ve had one question on my mind now for a few days. It comes from the Tao again (you’ll hear a lot about this book because it is my current read) from verse #13, which is Living With An Independent Mind. The question is WHAT’S MY OWN NATURE IF I HAVE NO OUTSIDE FORCES TELLING ME WHO OR WHAT I SHOULD BE? I have been focusing on the idea of living independent of the good and bad opinions of others. I let anyone speak his or her mind and at the same time I do not take it personal. It’s made a huge shift in my thinking. Given me much peace.

Many thanks to all for your support. Your kind, encouraging words mean more than you’ll ever know.

Much love, peace & blessings,

Gayle Etcheverry

For direct link to eBay auction click here
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180161988344


http://www.gaylespaintings.com

North Shore Daily Painting #5

This Painting is SOLD.
September 16, 2007

Daily Painting #5

'North Shore' Acrylic Painting on unframed canvas (museum canvas) size is 10" by 10". This painting was inspired from a photograph I took in Oahu last December on the North Shore during the Vans Triple Crown Surf Competition. My husband and I went to Oahu to see U2 in concert and I really wanted to take a trip up to the North Shore. The waves are magnificent! I guess I've had Hawaii on the brain for a while which lead me to painting this type of landscape.

I've been absent this week from the Daily Paintings because I had an unexpected trip to the ER last Tuesday with a Kidney Infection (YIKES... do they suck!). I ended up on medication and checked out for the week. Someone must have been trying to tell me to slow down... well I got the message clear and strong and did one thing... REST. Besides sleeping and watching more TV in a week than I have all year long, I spent some time reflecting on the book I am currently reading, 'Change Your Thought, Change Your Life. The Wisdom of the Tao' by Wayne Dyer. It's a wonderful book and I highly recommend it to all. Each short chapter is a verse from the Tao and the present day translation how to apply it to your life. One that stuck with me was verse #11 Living from the Void.


Thirty spokes converge upon a single hub;
it is on the hole in the center that
the use of the cart hinges.



Shape clay into a vessel;
it is the space within that makes it useful.
Carve fine doors and windows,
but the room is useful in its emptiness.



The usefulness of what is
depends on what is not.


I tried my best to stay in the 'void' part of me and not to think of being ill. Not to think really at all. It was really nice. Wasn't bored. Wasn't really anything. I just was. Still trying to carry that one on now that my life is getting back together. Funny thing is when I was in the ER my iPod broke. I guess someone was trying to 1. slow me down and 2. keep me quiet. YES I got the message LOUD and CLEAR :)

I'm always thinking of Hawaii, and will be going to Maui in October to see Wayne Dyer in a live seminar on the Tao (very excited!) so that is why I picked a wave as my subject matter. I could paint anything that has to do with the ocean any day!

Have a wonderful day and Happy Bidding!!

Peace & Blessings,
Gayle Etcheverry


http://www.gaylespaintings.com

Wolf Behind Tree Daily Painting #4

This Painting is SOLD.

September 15, 2007

The Daily Painting #4


Wolf Behind Tree


This is an original, unframed acrylic painting. Size is 18" x 24". The subject matter is of a wolf. I found a photograph years ago of this wolf and it's been sitting around for a long time. I just came across it and knew it was the perfect subject to paint. I don't know what it is about wolves, but I've always been fascinated by them.

I looked up wolf in my Animal Medicine cards and found the following information and realized this must be the reason why I am so drawn to them.

Wolf is the pathfinder, the forerunner of new ideas who returns to the clan to teach and share medicine. Wolf takes on make for life and is loyal like Dog. If you were to keep company with Wolves, you would find an enormous sense of family within the pack, as well as a strong individualistic urge. These qualities make Wolf very much like the human race. As humans, we also have an ability to be a part of society and yet still embody our individual dreams and ideas.

If you have drawn into Wolf medicine, you may be able to share your personal medicine with others. Your intuitive side may also have an answer or teaching for your personal use at this time. As you feel Wolf coming alive within you, you may wish to share your knowledge by writing or lecturing on information that will help others better understand their uniqueness or path in life. It is in the sharing of great truths that the consciousness of humanity will attain new heights. Wolf could also be telling you to seek out lonely places that will allow you to see your teacher within. In the aloneness of a power place, devoid of other humans, you may find the true you. Look for teachings no matter where you are. Wolf would not come to you unless you requested the appearance of the tribe’s greatest teacher.

* From MEDICINE CARDS by Jamie Sams & David Carson

=======================================================

I hope you enjoy this painting as much as I do. I had a wonderful time creating it. I painted it at night up on the rooftop deck. My dog Lucy stayed right at my side the entire time.

I am beginning to realize just how many wonderful things are happening all at the same time as I create each of these 'Daily Paintings'. One, my skills as a painter are improving dramatically. Two, all I can think about is going up to the loft to paint. Three, it NEVER feels like work.

Big thank you to Fred Albert and the quote you put on my Guestbook... “A master in the art of living draws no distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence to whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always seems to be doing both.”
-Author Unknown

I am beginning to understand that quote more and more each day.

Thank you and happy bidding!!

Peace & blessings,
Gayle Etcheverry

To go directly to the eBay auction click here http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180158600657


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

Orange Dragonfly Daily Painting #1

This Painting is SOLD.

Daily Painting #1

September 1, 2007

I started my first daily painting off with a morning meditation. I listened to Wayne Dyer’s ‘Meditations for Manifesting’. Wow, it is fantastic. Jen & Jon, THANK YOU for the disc. I can’t believe today was the first time I listened to it. Anyway, it really put me in a peaceful, joyful state. When I finished I decided the best piece to start my daily paintings with would be the Orange Dragonfly, AKA Mr. Dragonfly. My business partner, Dena and I (from http://www.prettyinpaint.net) just recently painted a Japanese mural in a Japanese Garden and everyday around noon this beautiful orange dragonfly would come hang out on one of the tall grasses of the lily pads in the koi pond. It was awesome to watch him just sit there for hours, catch a bug, fly around the yard and go right back to the same spot. He did this over and over and over. I found myself mesmerized by him. I took a ton of photographs of him. It seemed like he knew I was taking the pictures and he’d pose for me. It was such a tranquil experience to watch him do his thing all day long. Now I keep noticing dragonfly’s everywhere.

I have a book for my Medicine Cards (Native American Totem cards) and I looked up DRAGONFLY. This is what it said:

Dragonfly medicine is of the dreamtime and the illusionary façade we accept as physical reality. The iridescence of Dragonfly’s wings reminds us of colors not found in our everyday experience. Dragonfly’s shifting color, energy, form, and movement explodes into the mind of the observer, bringing vague memories of a time or place where magic reigned.

Dragonfly…
Breaks illusions,
Brings visions of power,
No need to prove it,
Now is the hour!

Know it, believe it,
Great Spirit intercedes,

Feeding you, blessing you,
Filling all your needs.

(*From Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams & David Carson)

Naturally this seemed like the perfect subject to paint for my very first Daily Painting!

It is an acrylic painting on an unframed, 18 x 24 canvas. Techniques used are airbrushing, palette knife, and brushes. It took me about 5 hours to complete. It was a challenging task because I was staying focused to finish in a timely manor.

I really think I am going to enjoy this new journey. This is the perfect way to push & center myself to do just what I love…. PAINT.

The direct link to this paintings auction on eBay is
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180155466821

I can always be found on eBay if you search my name or my eBay; hoshigayle

Thank you so much for all of your feedback and support.

Forever grateful,

Gayle Etcheverry
http://www.gaylespaintings.com