NaMoPaiMo & the Story of Can Do Gracie

Registration for NaMoPaiMo 2024 is open! And I highly recommend that you participate in this event at least once in your life, even if you do not consider yourself an artist or have ever painted a pony before. 

The NaMoPaiMo 2020 medallion I was gifted one of the years I participated.

Every year I would decline entering because I did not consider myself an artist. But in 2020 when NaMoPaiMo registration rolled around again, I remembered a huge life lesson one of my students, Can Do Gracie, had taught me, and as a result, I have now participated in NaMoPaiMo twice. 

Here are my two NaMoPaiMo horses,

Sultanna, NaMoPaiMo 2020

 Hokey, NaMoPaiMo 2021

and here is the story of Can Do Gracie and how she was the catalyst for my entering NaMoPaiMo.  

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NaMoPaiMo - The Real Reason I Entered (written March 8, 2020)

The 2020 NaMoPaiMo class of projects. Can you find Sultanna? I put an arrow pointing to her. 

(Photo posted with permission.) 

I am so pleased to have participated in NaMoPaiMo this year. But there is an underlying reason I finally decided to enter and do a NaMoPaiMo project, and I credit a former student for the final push in getting me to accept the challenge. Here's the real story as to why I entered NaMoPaiMo.

I'm generally someone who prefers to remain in the background. I do what I can do but rarely am one who shines at anything. I much prefer to be the cheerleader cheering others on than to be the one in the spotlight. A few years ago I had a "spotlight moment" with my students that changed me and my confidence in what I can do.

In 2016 I had been nominated for The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching by the parent of two of my former students. With only five state finalists being selected, I was sure that I would not win. But, I felt that if Dr. DeWoody took the time to nominate me, then I should at least follow through and complete the award process. I had no idea what I was getting into - it was very involved with lots of essays to write, responses to give to questions about my teaching, and so on. I spent at least forty hours writing, finding examples of my teaching, and documenting my career.

The final step was making a 45 - 60 minute film of myself teaching Science to my students. I hadn't told them about the award, but when they saw the cameras come into our classroom, I had to explain the purpose behind the filming.

Sure that I would not win and not wanting them to be disappointed when I didn't, I tried to prepare them for that. I pointed out that many teachers across the state had also been nominated and that only five would win. "I'm honored to be nominated, but I think the odds are that I won't win," I told them.

Gracie spoke up very matter of factly. "Mrs. I., you've got this. You can do it!" she declared. Another student pointed out that I had always told them to never be afraid to try, and so I shouldn't be afraid, either. Other students began piping up and encouraging me, offering their opinions that I would win. Finally, Gracie put her hands on her hips and repeated herself. "Mrs. I, you can DO this!"

That day, and their sweet votes of confidence, is one of my most cherished memories of my teaching career. They turned around my own words to them and applied them to me. (Gracie is in high school now, but she is still called "Can Do Gracie," the nickname we gave her after that Science lesson.)

When I thought about NaMoPaiMo in January, I thought of past years when I'd considered signing up but hadn't because I did not think I had any artistic talent. For some reason this year, though, Can Do Gracie's words rang in my ears. She was right - I could do this. I could paint a horse, and even if I never became a hobby artist, I could enjoy the process. Yes, I COULD do this!

And that is the real reason I joined NaMoPaiMo - because a fifth grade student taught me to believe in myself. 

(And to the kids' great joy and "We told you so, Mrs. I.!" I did win The Presidential Award for Mathematics and Science Teaching and was one of the five Indiana State Finalists.)

Me in Indianapolis with the Indiana Department of Education State Superintendent, Glenda Ritz.

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Please don't let doubts about your artistic abilities keep YOU from participating. NaMoPaiMo is not about being the best. It's about enjoying the process and you may even learn something about yourself, too. 

Yes, you, too CAN DO IT.

NaMoPaiMo - Taking the Plunge

I did it. I entered NaMoPaiMo. Me, who really is not artistic and does not paint models. (Well, I did some nail polish ponies back in the 1990s for friends but those don't count.)

I have entered NaMoPaiMo, I have a mentor (thanks, Beth Peart Weekes!), and I have paints, brushes, and things to prep my pony.

Originally, I had planned to do two practice pieces before doing the real NaMoPaiMo entry.

When Breyer was having its big sale a few weeks ago, I ordered three of their Stablemate Paint and Play kits. My thinking was that the horses were already a blank slate and that that would be easier to begin with.

 I decided to do a palomino, and I have a palomino to model for me just a few miles away. 

And since she is a Quarter Horse, I am going to go with the Standing Stock Horse mold instead.

 Sultanna is in her full winter coat (and, she's in foal, too!) but I have lots of photos of her in both her summer and winter coats for reference.

As I looked at her today, I was reminded of Lesli Kathman's most recent blog entry on Equine Tapestry. She discussed the color red in the coats of some reference pictures, including what looked like a palomino Fjord. As I studied Sultanna today, I could see the red in her coat. In fact, as I contemplate painting, I am beginning to see a lot more colors where I used to see only one or two. 

Sultanna did not look like a palomino when she was born. But Tim called it when he saw her; he told me that her sire was a palomino and he thought that she would be, too. We called her Gingersnap due to that red color before Tim officially named her Sultanna. He was out of the country and with the Sultan of Oman when she was born. Tim thought it was the feminine form of "Sultan," instead, it's a type of grape! (Oops!)

So, I have my model to prep and paint, a decision has been made is to breed and color, and I have officially entered NaMoPaiMo. I think it will be challenging, but I think it will also be fun. 

Wish me luck!

NaMoPaiMo 2024 Comes to an End

Not a lot of time this morning to write - I am speaking with Craig at an early morning devotional at our church today, and I have to be there soon. So, in honor of the end of February and the wrap-up  of the 2024 NaMoPaiMo, here are my two NaMoPaiMo models from previous NaMoPaiMos. 

Sultanna, NaMoPaiMo, 2020

Hokey, NaMoPaiMo, 2021

Pony Pal Mila and her NaMoPaiMo horse, 2021

Lukie and his NaMoPaiMo horse, 2021.

Congratulations to all who participated in the 2024 NaMoPaiMo. Regardless of whether you completed them or not, I hope you learned new things, made new friends, and had fun. 

NaMoPaiMo - Several Days of Progress

I said it on the NaMoPaiMo Facebook group and I will say it here - as I work on painting my little Stablemate and see how much time and work goes into a finished piece, my admiration for hobby artists has grown exponentially. Here is an update on Sultanna.

When I finished my fourth layer of paint, I realized that I had forgotten to thin the paint, and I ended up with a blotchy mess.

I'd been told that every mistake was fixable, so I took a deep breath and asked my mentor, Beth Peart Weekes, for advice. She reassured me that thin layers of color would cover up all that blotchiness. (By the way, the phrase "blotchy color" triggered a Facebook message to me that my message was offensive and they would not post it. I had to go back and rewrite my description of Sultanna's color issue. Go figure.)

My fifth layer of paint was a lighter wash over the dark color. 

 I mixed Yellow Medium with Iridescent Pear to give it some sparkles. 

Sultanna was still blotchy and streaked after that coat.

 For the sixth layer, I did another light wash.

 This time I mixed Yellow Medium with Titanium White.

Thank goodness I took some photos to document my progress. As I enlarged them to see better, I saw three areas where the paint had pooled. Luckily it was still wet and I was able to brush those out.

 For the seventh layer of paint, I mixed Yellow Medium with Titan Buff. 

Sultanna may be dayglo yellow, but the blotchiness is gone. Now I can move forward and work toward getting her coat the color I want.

I think I may get some other brushes - I have been using these and they're doing okay, but I am starting to think about the fine details like her eyes, ears, nose, and hooves.

These are what I have in the way of detail brushes, and I need something much finer to do those eyes.

The month is nearly half over, and I am still in good shape (I think.) Even with the set back of the blotchiness, I am still enjoying myself and think I may paint another model after this.

But first I have to finish Sultanna.

NaMoPaiMo - The Real Reason I Entered

The 2020 NaMoPaiMo class of projects. Can you find Sultanna? I put an arrow pointing to her. 

(Photo posted with permission.) 

I am so pleased to have participated in NaMoPaiMo this year. But there is an underlying reason I finally decided to enter and do a NaMoPaiMo project, and I credit a former student for the final push in getting me to accept the challenge. Here's the real story as to why I entered NaMoPaiMo.

I'm generally someone who prefers to remain in the background. I do what I can do but rarely am one who shines at anything. I much prefer to be the cheerleader cheering others on than to be the one in the spotlight. A few years ago I had a "spotlight moment" with my students that changed me and my confidence in what I can do.

In 2016 I had been nominated for The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching by the parent of two of my former students. With only five state finalists being selected, I was sure that I would not win. But, I felt that if Dr. DeWoody took the time to nominate me, then I should at least follow through and complete the award process. I had no idea what I was getting into - it was very involved with lots of essays to write, responses to give to questions about my teaching, and so on. I spent at least forty hours writing, finding examples of my teaching, and documenting my career.

The final step was making a 45 - 60 minute film of myself teaching Science to my students. I hadn't told them about the award, but when they saw the cameras come into our classroom, I had to explain the purpose behind the filming.

Sure that I would not win and not wanting them to be disappointed when I didn't, I tried to prepare them for that. I pointed out that many teachers across the state had also been nominated and that only five would win. "I'm honored to be nominated, but I think the odds are that I won't win," I told them.

Gracie spoke up very matter of factly. "Mrs. I., you've got this. You can do it!" she declared. Another student pointed out that I had always told them to never be afraid to try, and so I shouldn't be afraid, either. Other students began piping up and encouraging me, offering their opinions that I would win. Finally, Gracie put her hands on her hips and repeated herself. "Mrs. I, you can DO this!"

That day, and their sweet votes of confidence, is one of my most cherished memories of my teaching career. They turned around my own words to them and applied them to me. (Gracie is in high school now, but she is still called "Can Do Gracie," the nickname we gave her after that Science lesson.)

When I thought about NaMoPaiMo in January, I thought of past years when I'd considered signing up but hadn't because I did not think I had any artistic talent. For some reason this year, though, Can Do Gracie's words rang in my ears. She was right - I could do this. I could paint a horse, and even if I never became a hobby artist, I could enjoy the process. Yes, I COULD do this!

And that is the real reason I joined NaMoPaiMo - because a fifth grade student taught me to believe in myself. 

(And to the kids' great joy and "We told you so, Mrs. I.!" I did win The Presidential Award for Mathematics and Science Teaching and was one of the five Indiana State Finalists.)

Me in Indianapolis with the Indiana Department of Education State Superintendent, Glenda Ritz.

NaMoPaiMo - Priming and Selfie

NaMoPaiMo doesn't begin until February 1 but already it is constantly on my mind. I ask myself so many questions: Am I far along in my prepping in order to complete the challenge? Do I have enough shades of paint for the palomino I envision? How many coats of primer should I put on my model? Will I obliterate my model's details and features if I use too much primer? And so on.

Luckily, I have an official NaMoPaiMo mentor (Beth Peart Weekes) as well as Allison Pareis and other friends who are willing to answer my questions and offer encouragement. 

Being a newbie, I didn't realize that we should take and post what is called a "selfie with a nudie" in the NaMoPaiMo Facebook page albums. Jennifer Buxton, creator of NaMoPaiMo and author of the blog Braymere Custom Saddlery posted an entry about her own registration for this year's NaMoPaiMo and that clued me in that I needed to do that.

I took care of that today and got it posted along with the others. Oh, my, there are so many people with gorgeous models to be painted! Just looking at all those photos made me really excited - I cannot wait to see how they all turn out.

Over the weekend I finished sanding and decided that my model was ready for priming. Now, normally, I'd do any spraying of primer or paint outside, but it is January in Indiana and it is too cold for that.

 So, I put Sultanna-to-be in a box and placed the box in the bathtub. 

I figured that if primer got onto the tub, it would be far easier to clean up than if I got it on the tile, the carpet, or a table.

I sprayed one side of the horse and let it dry for an hour, then flipped it and sprayed the other side. I waited another hour and then stood the model up and sprayed it from the top.

For the final primer spraying, I propped the model up with plastic bags and sprayed the underside and hoof bottoms. This model has tiny frogs in the bottom of each hoof and in some the primer is a little thick and they are harder to see. I may see if I can somehow carve them back out or I may leave them and just paint frogs instead. 

I had to run to JoAnn's today - Pony Pal Mila asked me to make her a Belle pillowcase for her bed, and then Ian asked for a Mario Brothers and a Spiderman pillowcases for his, so I had to go get some fabric for that project. 

While there, I looked at paint palettes. I'd thought I'd just use a paper plate, but the more I learn, the more I realize that I will be mixing paint colors and that it will be helpful to have something like this for mixing. 

I am also looking for something in which to keep my paint brushes, paints, and other supplies. So far I haven't found the right tub, but I will keep looking.

Okay, my pony is prepped and primed. Thinking about actually starting to paint it is more than a little scary! 

NaMoPaiMo - The Ugly Stage Can Be the Excuse Stage

I have ten days to paint if I want to complete Sultanna by February 29, the ending deadline for NaMoPaiMo. And I do want to finish her by then. But I think that I may be procrastinating.

 I finally took the plunge and began shading her body color.

I mixed two parts Yellow Oxide to one part Titan Buff and got a nice subtle color that was a smidge darker than the coat color, and did an initial shading.

The light in my horse room, no matter how I shine it or the lamps that I bring in, is not what I'd like, but you can see the shading in the above photo. I like that it looks subtle and barely there. (I still need to do the lighter highlighting.)

 My detail brushes arrived and are ready for her eyes, hooves, and white markings.

I made a goof when buying a set of fan brushes for the mane and tail. These are way too big for a Stablemate! (I had a good laugh over that.)

For my twelfth painting session, I painted another layer of Titan Buff on Sultanna's mane, tail, socks, and hooves, covering some of the coat color that had gotten where it I didn't want it.

The mane is now the color I was working for; next I want to add some shading to it for a more realistic look. I'll stop by Hobby Lobby or Michaels today after I meet a friend for lunch and see if I can get a TINY fan brush for that step. (I am still smiling about those big brushes!)

But despite all the progress, I have been putting off the more difficult steps, the detail work that will bring Sultanna to life. The reason?  That detail work will also show me where I am as an artist. I am a beginner, no doubt about that, but can I really paint a model? Can I make it look lifelike, at least a little bit? I am not expecting perfection of myself, but I do want Sultanna to look nice.

And therein lies my hesitation. The ugly stage is also the excuse stage - "Well, it's still a work in progress so yes, we are in the ugly stage!" But getting beyond the ugly stage is when you find out if you can achieve what you'd hoped - a realistic looking model.

I have ten days to push myself out of the ugly/excuse stage and move forward. Wish me luck.

NaMoPaiMo - Will I or Won't I?

There is only a week left to register for NaMoPaiMo and I am not sure that I am going to make it.

 I've located all my painting and prepping supplies and they are all in order - no need to order anything.

For Pony Pal Mila and Cowpoke Lukie, I have some pieces for them to paint should they want to participate again this year.

After doing Sultanna and Hokey in 2020 and 2021, my plan was to do Trouble this year. But he was sold and so I don't have a real horse to paint any more. (Abby is way beyond my skill set.)

I had planned to paint this prop sled while I did my NaMoPaiMo horse, but to enter NaMoPaiMo you must paint a model horse. This would not count as my entry.

In addition to that dilemma, I am swamped with sewing orders. I haven't mentioned my sewing business much, but it's keeping me busy.

Mutton Buster Cambria doesn't always wear jeans and boots; she's got this pretty dress for her upcoming baptism.

I am making a matching dress for her American Girl doll. And to make it look just like her dress, I have to merge aspects of three of these four different dresses into one dress.

I've got a basket of cut-out haversacks that are ready to stitch and ten new fabrics to post on the Horsiemama's Haversacks and Mercantile Facebook page.

What's been keeping me the busiest is that I took on more 18th century sewing. 

After the success I had with the riding habits and their reception at The Feast of the Hunters' Moon, I branched Horsiemama's into the 18th century and am stitching up a variety of period clothing. 

There's a large indoor show, Yankee Doodle Muzzle Loaders, in Kalamazoo in March and I'm heading up there with Teacher Daughter Lisa and my sister, Leslie to see how my clothing is received.

Between that deadline, the doll dress, and sewing new stock for the February Great Lakes Congress show, plus the fact that I don't have a real horse to paint, I may not enter NaMoPaiMo. 

I've only got a week to figure it out.

NaMoPaiMo: Beginning Detail Work

I finally checked off Sultanna's coat as finished - as someone said on the NaMoPaiMo Facebook site, sometimes we keep tweaking and fiddling when we are actually done and can move on.

Now it was time for detail work.

 I'd gone to Hobby Lobby and found a fan brush to use in shading Sultanna's mane and tail.

I mixed two parts Titan Buff and one part Burnt Sienna for the shading along with a little water to thin it. I also used that color on her hooves.

The previous day, I had watched several tutorials on how to paint eyes. I started by painting them white (and added Sultanna's star while I was using the color.)

I mixed Carbon Black and Phthalo Blue for her eyes.

The picture doesn't show it well, but I like how her eyes turned out. The tutorials also had a brown pupil in the middle, so I am not done with them yet.

I am not happy with how the muzzle turned out. I was going for a very soft grey as I did not want a stark contrast. 

 I'd mixed Titanium White with just a smidge of Carbon Black; today I will mix Titan Buff with the Carbon black and put on another layer.

 The hooves look a little too pink to me, so I will paint another layer using a mix of Titan Buff and less Burnt Sienna than I used last time.

I am determined to do my best, so I will be painting her chestnuts and frogs, too.

I have less than a week to finish her, but I am confident that I will.