I was rushing against a self-imposed timeline, due to upcoming travel and other deadlines. In total, this piece took me about 80-100 hours from start to finish over the last month. That included research, planning, gathering supplies, creating sketches, testing colors and values, underpainting, overpainting, stopping and starting, self-critiquing, doubting, fiddling, finessing, photographing, framing, and submitting. Whew!

It does bring a smile to my face when I look at it, so that has made it all worthwhile.

Thank you, Bondo, for your genius, and for planting a seed that has so many of us growing.

I am now going out for sushi to celebrate!

See you all on March 15!