Birthday Wrap-up, 100 Painting Evaluation

I figured I would wrap up my birthday on a high note.  Just in a couple months I am astounded at how much I have learned, how much I am finally understanding and getting.  I am so excited at how much I have improved so far, but then I am totally humbled by how much I still have to learn.  I've completed 65 (ish) paintings out of the 100 for my goal, but I also realized that in those 100 days, I was counting weekends.  Silly Shelby!

In any case, this painting got me a B+ with just a couple suggestions to be able to take it to an A.  I swear, I have never worked so hard for grades before.  Kind of funny that throughout all of my schooling, and all of the good grades I got, I never had to work as hard as I do for art.  Who would have thought painting and drawing was so technical and scientific?

I love birthdays.  I've always loved them, and my parents did a wonderful job of making sure my birthday was always special.  My husband continued the tradition this year, and I couldn't be more thankful.  I'm surrounded by wonderful friends (all over the globe!) and family.  This support network is not only allowing, but cheering on my pursuit of my dreams.  It is terrifying when you realize you are the only one that is getting in the way of your happiness; truly, once you are in the real world, the only thing standing in between you and what you want to do, is you.  Well, you and your choices.  Granted, if we were back in the US, pursuing my MFA would be much more difficult.  But I was still working on painting in the US, and receiving tremendous support, and even seeing a little success.  There is always a way, if you are willing to make the choices and changes to get there.  So thank you everyone for the support.  It means the world to me, and I am working as hard as I possibly can to be worthy of it.