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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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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Clara's Nutcracker Hero & the Mouse King

Clara's Nutcracker Hero & the Mouse King
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
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Thanks to Candy Kultgen, I have even more wonderful nutcrackers to paint from!  Settling on this wonderful pair from the Nutcracker Suite, I am laying paint just as the last of our guests have left.  We celebrated our first Christmas with Tiffany's family early, as they are leaving for Scotland on Wednesday.  The boys were super excited - and had a blast opening up all of their presents, spending the rest of the day trying them all out!  I bet they will sleep tonight, and probably be pretty tired in school tomorrow with their last two days!  It is so much fun to see all of the wonderful variations in these nutcrackers!  Painting them like I have the last couple of weeks has really opened my eyes to them - and all of their character and charm!  Painting number 1083 in 1083 days!

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.  :)

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!