Welcome to day nine in the 33 Paintings in 33 Days Project of Alaskan artist  Nikki Kinne and Wisconsin artist Helen Klebesadel.

Nikki did a drawing of this bike two years ago when her husband Ken and she were visiting Wisconsin to attend the Experimental Aircraft show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin before joining my spouse and I for a week of watercolor fun in Door County.  She lost interest in it as soon as she was done drawing it, but tucked it away to save in her ‘art junk pile.’  She pulled it out to reconsider its possibilities.

Nikki is very pleased with how this painting progressed.  She says of the experience, ” In not taking myself too serious, I discovered I do understand how the pigment and water ratio work in watercolor.  When I put this potential painting aside years ago I think I was just tired looking at what was needed to happen to get the tire on the bike to come forward, and how to make the bike (which was the same color as the tent & army box) stand out with a different texture.  I needed to have the bike be the subject rather than blend in with the background. ”

I would say she has succeeded wonderfully!

I find I’m not done painting about my recently deceased dog.  My ninth painting is another little tribute to my dog Decca resting among the daisies.

Art making is a thinking process.  We can use it to understand the things that happen in our lives, including both loss and joy, and to reflect upon where we are and where we need to go.  I am so grateful I was able to allow myself to have art my life.

Thank you for traveling with us on our artistic extravaganza!

My artworks for this project available for sale online in my Meylah shop here: http://meylah.com/HelenKle​besadel  I post them each day after they are posted in the blog.