30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day Twelve

"Three Little Birds" - acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, 6" x 6"

Day 12!  I had to return to my brushes...just for a day.  Three little sweetlings to perk up a cool, dreary day in south Florida.

I continue to research the benefits of optimism (which are infinite!) and to move my brain more toward instinctive optimism, which is likely completely counter to my genetic makeup.  But it is working, one thought at a time.  Recently, I read an article describing the characteristics of optimists, and one thing stood out particularly.  It seems that optimists, when faced with something they do not do well, or perhaps even fail at doing, immediately think of all the things they are good at, instead of being focused on what they can't do.  Pretty cool, right?

So after yesterday's painting went in the trash, I decided to pick up a paint brush, play with a little something I am better at and remind myself of my own skills.  If you're like me at all, when something you try does not go well, you forget you were ever good at anything!  Taking a cue from optimists everywhere, I focused on my skills instead.

Now this little painting is cute, but no masterpiece.  But what happened AFTER I painted this is amazing!  My confidence returned, I grabbed a big canvas, and immediately had an idea for something I felt total joy about painting!  This little piece was the catalyst for a return to creative joy.  Just like that, the positivity train rolled in to the station.  Hooray!

The title of this piece is a little nod to Bob Marley, the eternal optimist:

Rise up this mornin',
Smile with the risin' sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', ("This is my message to you-ou-ou: ")

Singin': "Don't worry 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."
Singin': "Don't worry (don't worry) 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right

There is nothing quite like a little reggae to bring out the optimist in anyone.