The Latest On The Giraffe Painting
Creature Comforts (working title)
20×22 work in progress
Watercolor pencil on suede
So here is yesterday’s progress. I almost didn’t post since I’m only just beginning the second giraffe and it’s pretty much still at the all wash stage.
I have been using the Inktense pencils for my under-layer and they work really well. I have to be very careful not to get carried away in the application because some of the colors are really strong.
About the last post
Thanks to everybody giving me permission to keep it. Oddly enough it really does mean something to me.
I do keep original paintings for myself and did so last year about this time. But here’s the deal. Last years painting was worth more to me than I could possibly sell it for. This one however could be a big dollar earner. BIG earner. This time of year I put out many thousands of dollars for booth fees on top of our business and living expenses and of course we are living primarily off the remainder of last summers income.So it really is a money issue. If we were in the middle of art fair (the flush) season I would instantly keep it.
Frankly all this talk and discussion has really helped me to come to terms with the idea. But we’ll see what happens when I get it done.
As far as I know my African critter and specifically giraffe art collectors do not look at my blog. So I could keep it a big secret if I really wanted too. 
Tags: WIP
Or you could generously make prints with it, but retain the original. If it’ll be that big an earner, it’ll become a popular print and you’ll still be ahead! More than one of the giraffe art collectors will be able to share your joy in it.
That’s a good point Robert. Unfortunately it would not earn money until summer, and at that point it will earn it anyway. Because we are definitely making prints of it. I think we may go canvas print with it (if I sell the original that it) so I have something that resembles an original.
Here’s the thing. Exotic originals sell well but the prints are middle of the road. Horse originals sell well but generally for a little less money but the prints tend to go like gang busters. Weird huh. My highest dollar selling original was my elephant and as a print it is mediocre.
Still on the fence.
I see your dilema. If you sold it could you recreate it for yourself? or would a second version not hold that magic?
Not quite the same thing, but I’ve had times when I’ve really loved something and didn’t buy it because of the cost, and then I’ve still regreted it even years later. But then there are times when I buy something I love, and we struggle for money because of it, but somehow we always manage. Then there are times when I think I love something and I buy it, but then the novelty wears off really quickly.
I suppose for you, if the novelty wears off or if you get really desparate for cash then you know that it will be snapped up pretty quickly by one customer or other. Why not enjoy it for a little while at least?
Maybe you’ll manage fine, and end up being able to keep it forever and ever! 
Mona, you are so fabulously talented that I think even if you do decide to sell this one, you will paint another one that you will fall in love with!! Not being an artist myself, if I painted something this fantastic, I would never be able to part with it!!
On a different note- I did something fun by accident- I was looking at yesterday’s post and then just hit the link at the top for today’s. it was like the female giraffe magically appeared- try it and see!!
Cooool!
Oh my goodness, your artwork is amazing! It literally took my breath away! *Bows down*