Remember and Inspire.

The "Painting A Day" movement was in full swing in 2007 when I discovered the online world of artists. I was immediately captivated by the beautiful work I encountered. I spent hour upon hour gazing at the paintings of anyone whose work caught my attention.

I still follow some of those artists today. Some are now a little hard to track down, but most are still in there making art that moves me. Some of my favorites were and still are Jeffrey Hayes, Duane Keiser, Neil and Karen Hollingsworth, and Judith D'Agostino, the author of the painting above. Thanks to Judith's generosity, I own and still treasure this little gem. I guess that makes me a collector as well as an artist.

Judith was only about three years into her career when she ran a giveaway on her website. Some artists do this as a way to draw attention to their other works and to give back to those who follow them. I do this as well. In 2007 I entered and won her warm and charming little oil landscape titled "Rociada, New Mexico." Her hand signature graces the back. What a thrill that was! I still smile every time I look at it. Her landscapes go for thousands now and I feel so privileged to own one.

Owning someone's artwork is like holding their heart in your hands. Thank you, Judith! I decided long ago to pay your gift forward...oh NOT the painting itself! Oh no. That's mine forever, not only because I love it on its own merit, but because of what it awakened in me; the realization that I might also bring delight to others.

Recently, one of my newsletter subscribers won my own giveaway. Shirley, of Texas, had her husband record the moment she opened the package. You can watch it here: 

Shirley now holds my heart in her hands in the form of a three inch square painting titled, "Dusty Feather." It was painted from life from a feather I found at Calder Dairy Farm, not far from where I grew up. I'm fairly certain that it came from one of the many little brownish red hens I saw there.  As it happens, Shirley has fond memories, as do I, of growing up around chickens. Now that's serendipity for you!

Congratulations Shirley! And thank you Judith for the inspiration.

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