The painting that started it all.....

I posted a bit of teaser on my instagram last night of packing up a painting to ship to someone, and I hinted that it had a backstory that was worth telling.....This is the promised story lol

Almost a year ago my husband was gaming with his online friend group. Weve met with all these guys before and they are all really familiar with our family, they get constant updates on the kids and things in our lives so they knew I had picked up painting to help ease my mental state. My husband had mentioned that I was getting rather good at mountains and one of his friends said, "Have you heard of Matterhorn Mountain? You should try to paint that one." I told him I had not and proceeded to look it up. I found several beautiful photos of the unique point of the mountain and decided to take him up on the challenge.

It took me a few days, with a few hours each day touching things up here and there until I thought it was perfect. Then I set it aside. Some weeks later I noticed my small town was having an art gallery showing and local artists could submit their work to see if its chosen to be in the gallery. I took the chance and submitted 3 paintings.

I waited 2 very long months for a response from the gallery. They told me that my art needed growth and that it was not what they wanted at the time. I was bummed but honestly I didnt blame them. Then a friend and coworker of mine suggested I enter my paintings in the state fair. It was free to enter them and it would get it seen. Everyone I showed the painting to was blown away by it and told me I needed to enter it somewhere so I thought since the art gallery rejected me, Id try the fair.

If you read the first blog on this site you know how this went, if you didnt heres a short synapsis... The painting took 2nd in landscape as peoples favorite in the "Open art acrylics" catagory. I got the text from my neice that I took second and I broke down and cried. That weekend I went to see it in person and thats the photo I posted in the blog. Side note: dont ever ask your husband to take a photo of you lol. After that moment I started to truly believe in myself and push myself to learn more and create more. Not only did creating feel good, but so did showing people my art.

So I decided this holiday to gift the painting that started it all, to the guy that challenged me to paint it. As of this morning, "The Matterhorn" is off to its new home in Post Falls Idaho. To live with "Span" :) (Omitting his name for privacy reasons) I hope its as well loved as it was to paint.

In case you didnt see it Ill add the super awkward photo my husband took of me at the fair with my painting and then a close up of the painting itself lol And for anyone whos curious.... Yes.... I inlcuded the 2nd place ribbon and tag along with a certificate of authenticity in the box with the painting. Fun fact I actually had 2 in the fair that I called the "Art show rejects". The Matterhorn is mine of course, and the twin lakes reflection piece just above my head in the awkward photo is also mine. That one did not place.

So there it is! The painting that started it all. I will be entering more next year so the stories will not end. One day... I hope to be able to share a story of a gallery showing.

Thanks for reading

My love to you all