30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 30

"I AM THE STORM" - mixed media on paper, 11" x 15"

[ALL]
To see-
To sell-
To get-
To bring-
To make-
To live-
To go to the Festival-!
Into the woods!
Into the woods!
Into the woods,
Then out of the woods,
And home before dark!
               From "Prologue Into the Woods", Into the Woods

Is it that time already?  Thirty days have come and gone.  We've journey together through the woods, facing giants and fears and wandering through colorful trees.  We've met the villagers, cavorted with queens, thought some very good thoughts and shared our stories by the fire over tea.   Thirty paintings, thirty narratives, thirty lyrics. 

As we emerge from the woods, are we changed?  Transformed?  Altered?  I am.   It is impossible for me to take a journey (even a metaphorical cyber journey) without feeling stronger, smarter, kinder...better than I was before.  And maybe a little less afraid.

In the tradition I began with my first 30 day challenge (5 challenges ago!), I am ending with a self-portrait.  This one in the style of Stan Kurth.    As I emerge from the woods, a little tired and perhaps bleary-eyed from lack of rest, my spirit feels unfettered, determined, wild and strong.  Tribal, even.  Because you, dear sweet readers, are my woodland tribe.
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I am ever so grateful to those of you who followed along on this 30 day adventure.  

All of your feedback, comments, and encouragement made this a group trek, and I never, not once, felt alone.

This process, going into the woods, made me face fears, overcome inner naysayers and tackle mental barriers.  There are storms in our lives and storms here in the woods - storms that can leave us cowering, or can make us stand up and face the wind, hold our heads high and say confidently "I AM THE STORM."  (many thanks to my dear friend Ann for this incredible image and quote, and for the inspiration and title for my self-portrait)  

We may have entered these woods as timid adventurers, but we are leaving the forest as warriors.