I can't even explain how giddy I feel that I've connected with painting for FUN!You see, I'm not painting to become an artist, or to follow artistic painting rules, or to even sell what I've painted. I just paint to check out of my dominated, left-brain (to-dos, mommy duties, errands, routines, worries, etc.) for a bit and come back into the right-brain (present, relaxing) moment for a bit (something that NEEDS to be done on a CONSISTENT basis!).

It's been a LONG time since I've painted and I've been craving it BIG TIME. The main reason I haven't done it is because I didn't want to smell the paints during my first trimester.

So, yesterday, during C's quiet time (which she played very loudly the entire time, which made me paint much faster than I'd like) I decided to paint an owl.

I've been craving owl painting, too. I think it might have something to do with their "inner light" symblolism and the fact that I'm growing baby inside my belly. :)

So I was thrilled to finally have sat down to paint an owl. My left-brain went nuts and thought it was the ugliest drawing of an owl I've ever seen, but I ignored those thoughts and kept painting away. (The left-brain LOVES to tell you everything that's wrong with what you're doing when it's something you're not comfortable with).

I used an outline from an owl that was painted in one of my mentor's, Whitney Ferre's, owl painting classes. It was sent in her newsletter, so I basically just eye-balled it. That is why my left-brain was being so critical...because I was free tracing it. :)

But here's the coolest part...I actually repainted the outline three times. Yes, that's SO COOL because that's what makes mindless- painting easy and fun. It doesn't have to be perfect and if you don't like it, you just paint over it! OH YEAH!!

It takes the left-brain "it's not perfect" edge off, when you know you can repaint over anything that you just painted. At least it does for me! :)

I ended up with the first layer done once getting C from her "quiet time" below.

This is exactly what I envisioned the colors to look like, but I couldn't wait to play with more of the paints later on that night, once C went down for the night.

Once I was able to play again, I added more to the solid colors, but when I looked at it this morning, I realized that the outline and the eyes aren't as white as I'd like them to be.

And since painting is SO fun like that, I'm gonna play with it some more tonight. I can't wait!

It's amazing what comes out when you play with color. What a difference, right?

But what's even more amazing is how relaxed I was after playing painting this owl. It's truly meditative and SO rejuvenating.

If you want to EASILY melt away your stress from the day, pull out your colors and paint like no one is watching (and really, no one is watching...this isn't a course...but it IS creative meditation!!).

And, that's why I love to paint! :)

Until next time...

{life is colorful}