"Montana Sunset" - A Landscape Painting

"Montana Sunset"     5" x 7"     Acrylic on Canvas

I can't believe today is Day 30 already!!! =D I'm feeling quite the mix of emotions over this, and am actually quite sad to see this challenge come to an end, especially when I post my last painting later today - it's going to be very bitter sweet. It will feel so wonderful to know I've done it, and actually gotten each one posted on Leslie's wall, but I really wish I could keep this amount of accountability up because I have never painted this much in my life! The constant feeling of a deadline was actually surprisingly good for me, and I am quite a bit scared that without one, painting will become less and less of a priority over the next few weeks. But I shall try to look beyond that, and as Leslie said, just look at all I've accomplished in just this last month instead and really take in the fact that I did it and I have something real to show for it. It's incredible really, to see so many paintings up on my wall (both on my blog and in my house - lol!), and I will be trying my hardest to not lose all of this incredible momentum I've gained from doing this challenge, though the reality is I won't be able to complete a separate painting absolutely every single day from now I. My goal however is to come as close as I possibly can to that for this year, though there will be times that I am working larger and will have to post what I worked on that day instead.

Learning-wise, this Challenge has been quite incredible for me! I have learned sooo, so many things, one of which is that I really have to cut out ALL of my distractions or my work just won't get done, and that even includes things as simple as having my tab open for Facebook up on my Browser, because every time it dings I get distracted and easily lose so much time that way. It's such a time-sucker! And I've learned that I truly do have a great passion for painting small, but I'm pretty sure that many of these landscapes will be making their debut's someday as much larger paintings, though they will probably have some changes in them and all. I really do like this process though of trying a work out small before making a larger version, almost as a study for it while still being a completed painting in and of itself.

Now, as for this painting, it's the second one from the same sunset I posted yesterday of the beautiful cloud filled sky on our drive from Washington to Montana in 2012. The colors were breathtaking, the clouds were all ablaze, and it was simply gorgeous. One couldn't ask for a better night to get to our destination!

CONTESTS for FREE ART

Rules for January 2013
Before I forget, TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER MY CONTEST FOR JANUARY 2013!!! So if you haven't already entered and you want the chance to win your choice of any of my available paintings from my "30 Paintings in 30 Days" Collection shipped and framed (or complete with easel if applicable) COMPLETELY free of charge, then you will want to sign up today to follow my blog by 11:59pm, Pacific Standard Time. This is a prize that may value at up to nearly $200, depending upon which you pick if you should win!!! So if you're interested, go ahead and click the blue button on the right side bar that says "Join this site" and become a member. You will know you did it right if you see your name in one of the little square boxes under the word "Members" (it makes sense, right?). If all goes well I will be announcing my winner sometime tomorrow as well as a visual list of  which paintings are still available for you to choose from. So good luck out there!

Rules for February 2013
And if you don't win, there's no need to worry - there will be 11 other contests this year that you will have the chance to enter into if you want to, and already the one for February is up, in which all you have to do to earn a chance to win one of three ACEO's (a miniature painting that is 2.5" x 3.5," complete with frame card so it is ready to frame if you'd like) is to LIKE my FACEBOOK FAN PAGE and let me know on it that you're interested in this contest. How easy can it get?! And the link to my page is up on my right sidebar (it has been fixed since the first time I posted it thanks to Jean - thank you again!) so you can click on the link there and sign right up just like that! There will be 3 winners this month, which is exciting for me and hopefully for you as well!

Well, it's past my bedtime, and so I better be off now, but I hope you're all doing well out there. God bless!