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Have you ever gotten on the internet with the intention of looking for something specific and instead found something you weren't looking for that was actually more interesting? I call this "getting lost on the rabbit trail." It happens to me quite often and I usually enjoy the outcome. I had wanted to find some specific information on a technique using acrylic paint and alcohol, so I started doing a search. I looked at websites and youtube videos, but nothing was really giving me the answers I was looking for. I had looked at dozens of sites and was about to give up when I noticed a video of a lady painting a galaxy. Now this was not what I had in mind at all, but the video looked intriguing so I clicked on it and watched. Then down the rabbit trail I went. A few similar videos later I had completely forgotten my original idea and was totally on fire to try this technique.

Using acrylic paint, sponges, brushes and a toothbrush the lady painted an incredible looking galaxy. It was completely made up and not representative of a real galaxy, but very believable and it just plain looked like a lot of fun! So I grabbed some paint and gave it a try. I had paint everywhere as the technique was a little messy. My fingers were covered in purples and blues. The stars were created by dipping a soft brush into liquidy acrylic and flinging it at the painting. A toothbrush also was used for the same effect and I had it spattered everywhere. Though she didn't use one, I decided an airbrush would help to create that celestial haze and add some depth so I played with that, too. Eventually, I had a pretty cool and convincing galaxy going, but my creative juices were still pumping at full speed. Then into my mind popped an image of a howling wolf. After looking through my reference photos I chose a pose I thought would work and painted in the wolf. A little airbrushing of breath in the cold night air and I pronounced the painting "Finished!" All told, the painting was finished in about six hours. A record for me, but it was just so darned much fun I couldn't stop! I wish they all came together that easily!

A week later I entered "Cry to Heaven" in a show at our local gallery, Valley Art Center. The piece took a blue ribbon in the acrylic division which really tickled me given that it was totally unplanned and wildly painted. Sometimes it really pays to get lost on the rabbit trail!