"Horsey Ride" leaves the easel....finally!!!   After 89 hours of paint application I was finally happy with this 30" x 30" oil painting on panel.  As shared in my last newsletter it was the background that gave me problems and received multiple repaintings.  First it was too light, then too dark, then too light.....you get the point.    Some of the issue was because there is a lot of texture in the wood background.  I put all of that texture in with the first layers of paint because I loved all the texture.  However, as I began painting the horse trike I realized all that great texture was competing with my focal point, the horse.  I ended up eliminating much of the texture of the wood.  The multiple background changes held up the rest of the painting. I could not move forward with the wheels and their spokes until the background was to my satisfaction.  From that point the painting went smoothly...it was just a matter of waiting for layers to dry to be able to add the next layer.  I am still in love with this little trike.  It is going to be hard to return it to my friend.  Despite the background issues, it was fun to paint.  This painting will be one of the paintings that will be going to my new gallery, Simon Gallery of Fine Art in Tucson, AZ.