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Thursday, April 11, 2013

Taurus, Starry Nights and Painting Animals


Taurus
encaustic and paper on birch 16 x 16
There are 19 of them in the night's sky.  19 animals play in the stars.  Of course we all know Taurus and Leo and Cancer and Scorpio - but did you know there are dogs and bears and fish and birds?  A lion, a dragon and a whale? -  and Pegasus too.  Which means there really are more than 19 - but the point being - there are enough animals to keep me busy painting for a while.  I'm liking the thought of painting them all and using these amazing celestial creatures as inspiration.  I got this great book to teach me about the Zoo in the Sky. 

My Taurus is a Brahma Bull, not really a fierce Bull terrorizing the Twins in the night sky.  He looks a bit tame actually.  He's on a recycled panel, one that has held many paintings that are now within the layers.  I also used one of the charts that I found this time last year.  Knew they would come in handy at some point.  I think Cancer will look pretty at home on a chart as well as Volans, Cetus and Dorado.  Seems that all of the sea animals live in the Southern Hemisphere - so my friends in OZ might be familiar with them. 

So, the next starry night you have - look up and see the animals dancing about in the sky.  I know I'll need to have a chart of some kind to identify them.  But, it will be fun to see how many I can find.    Happy Friday! 
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33 comments:

  1. Maria MedeirosApril 11, 2013 at 7:44 PM

    wonderfuL! I'm a taurus dragon! :D My hubby is an Aries and my daughter is a taurus too. :D Lovely lovely work!

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  2. GigglesApril 11, 2013 at 9:01 PM

    Your taurus is so sweet and vulnerable.... that is my brother right now, who is a taurus!That is not always the case though...can't wait to see more animals!
    Good job!

    Hugs Giggles

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  3. Disha Mishra DubeyApril 11, 2013 at 10:10 PM

    Beautiful painting. Loved every details you gave and it's perfect Taurus painting I would say.

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  4. www.dorissdaughter.comApril 11, 2013 at 10:15 PM

    Great post Marji, This is such a wonderful theme to work with, it gives a whole new perspective to animal painting which makes them interesting and unique. I will definitely be doing some star gazing here in the Southern Hemisphere on the look out for all those sea creature constellations!

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  5. DeannaApril 11, 2013 at 10:32 PM

    Beautiful painting! If it ever stops raining, I will definitely be looking up at the dancing animals.

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  6. Tracey FKApril 11, 2013 at 10:45 PM

    that is sumptuous and I love that the sea creatures reside here in the southern hemisphere... we make regular trips to the planetarium and I must admit to finding them constantly fascinating... look forward to seeing more in this series...xx

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  7. Ayala ArtApril 11, 2013 at 10:52 PM

    Marji I love it! Not only Mr. Bull, but also the colors you used... yummy!!

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  8. sharonApril 11, 2013 at 11:38 PM

    This is marvelous, love the background. Definitely will look up to see the sea creatures, I have trouble detecting the southern cross so don't know how I will go with sea creatures hehe!

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  9. dentheApril 11, 2013 at 11:49 PM

    Beautiful Taurus! And that background with the charts fits so well with it!

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  10. Valerie-JaelApril 12, 2013 at 12:07 AM

    Love your bull, and I didn't know there were so many animals in the stars! Valerie

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  11. Anne MandaApril 12, 2013 at 12:25 AM

    Beautiful! Love the way you have combined the earthy with the celestial - starry sky is so endlessly fascinating! Very well done, love it! <3

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  12. NettyApril 12, 2013 at 12:47 AM

    Sounds like a terrific art adventure to be on. I love your beautiful bull, he looks so gentle and also love your collaged background. Happy PPF, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  13. ErikaApril 12, 2013 at 5:46 AM

    Yes, heaven is endless! Your Taurus is showing a big Soul. Love him and your Background.
    Happy PPF
    Erika

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  14. ikeApril 12, 2013 at 8:19 AM

    SUPERB - this is wonderful. He's my birth sign so I'm especially fond of this painting :-D
    IKE xx

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  15. Linda KunsmanApril 12, 2013 at 9:08 AM

    really fantastic painting-love it!! I'm always star gazing and wondering what I'm looking at-a chart would be nice :)

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  16. aimeeApril 12, 2013 at 11:08 AM

    Beautiful painting! I miss stargazing -- all I see at night is the faint haze of the greater New York City area! ;0

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  17. ChristineApril 12, 2013 at 11:41 AM

    beautiful inspired work today!

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  18. Joy MurrayApril 12, 2013 at 12:03 PM

    In this painting you can see why cows are worshiped in some cultures -- very regal and sacred set against the milky celestial sky.

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  19. AnonymousApril 12, 2013 at 12:23 PM

    The gentle spirit of this bull is so evident and it's a marvelous painting. Happy PPF xox

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  20. PaintingWriteApril 12, 2013 at 1:27 PM

    Oh Marji this is outstanding - Every week I feel like I'm saying this is my new favourite piece of yours!! But wow - this is fabulous. What a brilliant idea to do the animals which make up the constellations - I wish I'd thought of it!! I had no idea there were so many of course so mine would've been restricted to those from the astrology charts. I'll look forward to much to seeing all the different animals emerge in your amazing art!

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  21. UnknownApril 12, 2013 at 1:30 PM

    dogs, bears, birds and fish- that sounds like pure poetry, Marji. Beautiful, magical and very expressive painting. thank you for sharing. Till the next time, Marji.

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  22. CarolynApril 12, 2013 at 2:33 PM

    I love to stare at the stars and I love staring at the art you make inspired by them!

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  23. Robin Panzer ArtApril 12, 2013 at 4:23 PM

    Marj I absolutely adore this painting !! <3

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  24. UnknownApril 12, 2013 at 5:34 PM

    I'll definitely look at the sky differently after reading your post! This is stunning. Happy PPF!

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  25. minnemieApril 12, 2013 at 8:12 PM

    What a fabulous idea for a series! I can't wait to see how you interpret each one. Taurus is pretty amazing. Love the composition!

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  26. DVArtistApril 13, 2013 at 6:40 AM

    Aaahhh this is my favorite. I guess because my birthday is next week and I am a Taurus.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  27. DianneApril 13, 2013 at 8:35 AM

    a truly fabulous painting...the chart adds interest along with the texture of the encaustic...beautiful! happy PPF!

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  28. RitaApril 13, 2013 at 2:02 PM

    Wonderful work, I love all the texture. And such a sweet face. :)
    Rita

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  29. Ilona HeimböckelApril 13, 2013 at 2:51 PM

    Your art work is so strong, Marji! Have you found a gallery where you can get it sold? I bet you can do it Marji! Wish you good luck with the exhibition! It is simply stunning!

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  30. bellefrogworksApril 13, 2013 at 6:14 PM

    What a wonderful painting - who knew that a painting of a bull could be so powerful. You are an amazing artist. HPPF

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  31. SAMARAApril 14, 2013 at 6:32 AM

    wow what an education! i love the story and how articulate you are around it. it feels so real and i could just see the dual up there! your painting is stellar...i can't wait to see the rest of the zoo in the future fridays. HPPF lovies, samara

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  32. Šolanje na domu-WaldorfApril 15, 2013 at 3:04 AM

    I totally love it! I'm looking forward to see the whole Zoo in the sky. :)

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  33. Jo MurrayApril 18, 2013 at 11:30 AM

    That is such a gorgeous piece.

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