it's contest time....

...i've decided to launch a contest/aution/drawing for one of my paintings.  first let me tell you a bit about why i paint... it does something for my soul.... i literally picked up my first paint brush and acrylic paints from michael's.... i added some big canvases... and imitated this lady on youtube.  she painted mermaids.. i actually didn't think the painting looked hard to do, so i thought, why not try?  well, i dipped my paint brush into that paint that i squirted out onto a paper plate, well, after of course spreading out a trash bag on my dining room table.  that was about six months ago.  my first few paintings were colorful and the 'thought' was there.

i talked with a few people who painted and they made suggestions over facebook or in person.  first lesson, water down your paints (oops, really?.... that helped my budget immediately)... 2nd lesson, you paint over and over and over in layers onto to your painting...( another oops, but i was catching on quickly), so i progressed.

for fun i put them on facebook. and all of a sudden people started commenting.... nice comments... WOW  .... really?   .......me?   ...... people started encouraging me...  a have a mentor.... she gave me my first huge canvases, paints galore, and brushes... and a prize book.... DALI  .... she told me, start painting.... she explained her mom began painting late in life also and became quite good....   i painted some paintings for her and wanted to please her, so...... i worked hard.....

and i burst into tears when i finished them....

each time i do an intense painting..... i sob.  it's like i'm freeing something within.... now remember.... i'm 47...   i stuffed my feelings for over 13 years with food...   i can't do that anymore so, i paint....   i'm still learning....

but... i've decided to PAY IT FORWARD.... i've completed a painting... i'm working on the details of how it will be done... but i know this much....

      1.  the proceeds will go to the OAC (OBESITY ACTION COALITION)
               http://www.obesityaction.org/
     2.  i will only keep the cost of postage and the canvas (i'm poor)
     3.  you need NOT be a weight loss surgery person, just someone who cares about this cause....
     4.  the winner/awardee of the painting will NAME the painting and it will be signed and will be a
               ONE OF A KIND ~never to be duplicated
     5.  you will need to subscribe to my blog here, my facebook, my twitter, &/or youtube account
                and tell me where you posted the link...either to your blog, twitter, or FB

...... so save your pennies.... if you have an idea on how we should do this, let me know.... i'll be utilizing my resources to 'get the word' out about this painting....
........this is painted on a sturdy flat 8x10" canvas board.
.......this is the painting......

you'll note, i've not signed it yet, i sign in GOLD, always... the name of the painting will be painted onto the back of canvas board........oooooooh, i'm so excited!!!!!!!!! xxoo~nicole