I painted a picture!!

I wanted some artwork for the nursery, but I'm very picky when it comes to paintings. I often feel like I can do something myself for much cheaper than what the stores have. I also want things that are original. So that's why I decided to try this myself. I haven't painted anything since my sophomore year in high school, so I was a little nervous.

I started off by designing it on my computer. I found the perfect lotus flower picture on google images, and then added the text on Photoshop. It took me a long time to decide what to put as text. I first had "Ma Belle, Evangeline" on there, but thought that she might think that's cheesy later in life or something. lol So I went with "J'adore, J'taime" which is "I adore you, I love you" in french. 

It's an homage to the scene in Princess and the Frog when Ray is singing "Ma Belle Evangeline" and the frogs are dancing on the lily pads. I loves it!

Anyway, so when I had it all designed out, I printed it out really small, and then used my handy dandy projector to project it onto a canvas. I traced the outline so it wouldn't come out all wonky if I did it free-hand. Then yesterday when Keith left for work I got right to it. I set up an easel using a piano bench and I went at it for 7 hours, trying to get the blending and colors just right. I did some laundry and ate lunch and dinner for breaks, but I was determined to finish. And I did! I'm proud of myself for actually finishing it. 

It's going to go right above the crib. :)