"Fairy Tale"

Fairy Tale / 8x6 / acrylic on panel

I painted this piece over a month ago and put it away because I didn't think it was any good - but last night, as I was going through some work, I stumbled upon it and really like it.  Sometimes work is funny that way.  There are days I complete something and absolutely love it until I look at it again another day, and other times, I am pleasantly surprised.  This was a piece that was inspired by a tube of black paint, something that I struggle with using in my paintbox as using black was a definite no-no during my education.  I find it interesting how some things I was taught I stick to as though they were hard and fast rules, and other teachings are abandoned and ignored.  Whenever I give demonstrations, there are times I am totally embarassed to share what I do in the privacy of my studio because I know when I break the rules, and other times I am glad to share that most rules were meant to be broken.  There have been a lot of wonderful, positive things happening in my different roles as an artist these days (painter, writer, curator, teacher) and some not so positive.  There are times when I just want to shut the world out and hole up in my studio with soothing music and scented candlelight.  This is one of them.  And yet, it is one of the weeks that my schedule is cram-packed.  So it was a pleasant surprise to see this piece and actually feel joy when I came across it.  And, by the way, I have donated the tube of black paint to a friend whom I know will utilize it well. :)