Nutcracker and the Mouse King

Who can resist the Nutcracker and the Mouse King?  I certainly can't!   They are among my very favorites of all nutcrackers - and I am painting them tonight.  The grandsons just left and it is now quiet around here - well, as quiet as it can be with the football game on, and a perfect time for painting.  I was able to prime 8 more masonite panels (which are my favorite) and this one was dry enough to paint on.   I am using one of my new Princeton polytip flat brushes on this - and I really like the way I can use it aggressively, and it holds up.  It may just be a new standard for my acrylic brush set.  Painting number 1417 in 1417 days :)

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King Nutcracker with Scepter

On this busy Thanksgiving day - I have squeezed this painting in, a little at a time!   I started it after the pies were done and the turkey was in the oven.   I added another layer after some of the family went shopping while others puzzled.  After the kitchen was cleaned (for the fifth time) I finally finished!  Now, that most of the family has left, I am able to get it posted!  More company arriving around midnight - maybe I'll start another!   Painting number 1413 on 1413 days :)

Royal Nutcracker

Tonight, I come to my easel late, after dinner and clothes shopping with Michaela.  I pulled up an old Christmas story on my audiobook, and began painting while it played.   I love listening to these books while doing anything from gardening to housework, and sometimes while I paint.  There is something to be said for disengaging the brain and just letting the inner artist take over!   This very regal nutcracker, complete with sword and crown, belongs to a childhood friend of mine - and she had generously shared her collection with me!   Thanks, Julie!   He's a beauty with his fancy attire and props - and he's my 1411th painting in 1411 days :)

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Golden Knight & Drummer

Golden Knight & Drummer
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
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I sure wish I was ahead on my paintings as Christmas begins!  As I am not, I find the only time I can get to my easel is at the end of the day when the rest of the household is tucked tight into their beds.  Perhaps, I should set up my easel in their rooms for a little nocturne painting........!  Instead, I return once again to my quiet friends, the nutcrackers, for my daily art therapy.  For the second time this month, I have completely finished and photographed a painting, only to realize that I forgot to paint in the sword!  Why do I do this?  I had to open back up my palette, retrieve my brush from the sink - and put that baby in, then get another image from the finished painting.  I am probably just too tired for my own good.  Maybe I’ll stay late in bed tomorrow and let somebody else do the cooking!  Painting number 1082 in 1082 days.  :)

Mouse King and the Boys

Mouse King and the Boys
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
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This Mouse King is special - he has wonderful, silky gray fur around his face and ears!  His fancy gilded cape and bejeweled crown are spectacular!  On either side, are the boys - one a baseball player and the other a football player.  A couple of all American nutcrackers here, complete with baseball, bat, football and face mask!  As Christmas nears, the house is slowly getting back to order.  Living room is painted,  the historic woodwork is up on three of the four windows, and furniture is returning to their places. Anyone who knows me, knows how hard it is for me to have things out of order.  It is hard to focus on anything, as every little thing out of place "screams" at me as I see it.  So, I am looking towards the light at the end of the tunnel.....and I see peace on the horizon!  Painting number 1081 in 1081 days :)

Soccer and Elf Nutcrackers

Soccer and Elf Nutcrackers
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
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I just don't know how I seem to get busier and busier with each new day!  I always bite off more than I can chew, knowing that it will all work out......and it does......making me crazy in the meantime! Both of these nutcrackers are more unusual, with the elf having ears that protrude, and the other posing with his soccer ball!  So cool!  Thank goodness my friend has kept me supplied with these little guys, because I have had zero time to go in search for them myself!  Painting number 1080 in 1080 days..........and Christmas is almost here!

Fab Four

Fab Four
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
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Julie Imhoff has kept me supplied with wonderful nutcrackers to feed my newest addiction!  I have run out of 4x7 panels, and when I originally picked these guys out, I planned on only two in a long, thin format. Well, it was square or nothing, so I changed it up a bit, varying their sizes.  Another fun little trial for these, I painted them at my daughter's house in very low light (once the sun went down).  With the shortening of the days, if I need to be there with the boys - I will be bringing a good light with me!  As my only chance to paint today - I had to make it work. This painting makes 1079 in 1079 days :)

Knight and Drummer Nutcrackers

Knight and Drummer Nutcrackers
Acrylic on masonite, 6x4
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Tonight's nutcracker pair in a fancy pants knight and an equally fancy drummer!  Complete with sword, drum and drumsticks - these two put those common nutcrackers to shame!  I have layered these guys up with acrylics in short, impressionistic strokes, until their forms emerge.  It is so cool to capture all of the different styles of mustaches, eyebrows, and clothing!  I had no idea how varied these all were until my friend started sharing her collection with me!  I will never look at Nutcrackers the same!  In fact, I feel a new interest coming on! Painting number 1078 in 1078 days!

Nutcrackers Royal

Nutcrackers Royal
Acrylic on masonite, 4x6
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With a small painting class today, I was able to paint during class for the first time!  Getting a jump on my daily painting was SO refreshing, as it seems that I never get to my easel before 10:30pm these busy days.  Working again from the fabulous photos my school friend sent me, today I have chosen a royal theme (and no, not as in our Kansas City Royals baseball team, but in actual royalty).  These kings both had velvet capes and golden crowns - and wonderful accent pieces!   And, the best part is that I am finished painting and posting before 8:00pm!  So, now it is time to get back to work!  Painting number 1077 in 1077 days.

KC Dripping in Batik

KC Dripping in Batik
Watercolor batik on masa, 6x8
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How about those Kansas City Royals?  SO EXCITING to have won the first two games in the World Series - and in SUCH dramatic fashion!!  Tonight's game will be in New York - and I'm looking forward to another night with those "boys in blue"!!!  This painting is just a little fun with watercolor dripping on masa paper, followed by hot wax, freezing, wadding, and cracking, and topping it off with watercolor floated over those cracks.  Next come a hot ironing between newspaper, and voila! -this is what remains!  I just couldn't help but cheer my boys on with a little Royal fun in the studio today!  Painting number 1032 in 1032 days!!  Let's have another win tonight, boys :)