They eat ticks? Welcome dear friend! My home is your home! I also like how you've mentioned that we are afraid of a lot of these animals because we don't know enough about them. I still remember how my mother wanted to swat a bumble bee when we were at the beach and the bee sat on my book. It was just sitting there and my mom was afraid that it would sting us. Poor thing just needed a break. These days they sit on me every time I do something in the backyard xD We all should educate ourselves about the animals we are neighbors with. Less stress and safer for everyone :D I love listening to your personal encounters with different animals. It's very special
I'm a big believer in acceptance being rooted in education and knowledge, and that's why I love what I did/still try to do so much. Rattlesnakes are another local species for us that I'm really passionate about. Why would they rattle and warn you that they're going to bite if they wanted to bite you? They wouldn't! They're just trying to say, hey back off you're too close. So many people kill them in our area that they actually started to relearn NOT to rattle because of the treat that follows... Making it more dangerous for everyone involved. Humans shape so much of animal behavior without realizing it. Love or at least acceptance along with understanding is the way to go in my opinion 💜
Thank you for sharing your story and your love for this beautiful animal. They hold a very dear place in my heart. We had a mama and 8 of her young decide that our garage would be a warm place to take shelter during our cold Canadian winter. My husband and I had no problem sharing our space with her for a few days until one morning they were all gone. It was a very sad morning.
Really enjoyed this, Denise! I did a mama possum with her babies for the Inktober challenge last year, so I feel akin to this piece you've created! In New England, we have lots of them and have to be very careful driving on warm nights, as they tend to run across the roads. We had one living in your back yard for a while, and I used to leave him/her little bits of veggies, which I assumed her/she ate, because they were always gone the next day. Perhaps I should have left a bowl of ticks? lol! Cheers and hoping all is well! :)
I absolutely love opossums 💜 I've been doing wildlife rehab for almost 20 years, and they're one of my favorite babies. Your painting is totally adorable, and definitely does their cuteness proud 😊
Nice work Denise! And your educating us on these mysterious, at least to me, creatures was great. I have them on my property. I've run across them at night on occasion and along with neighborhood cats they set off the motion activated spotlight from time to time. Was especially intrigued by the the "ticks" info. Great to hear that benefit. Wood ticks are common around here and love knowing they help keep the population down. Thanks again!
I totally get it! I have raised a few batches of orphaned opossum babies for a local wildlife rehab. They’re wonderful little creatures! And ridiculously cute once their fur comes in. My health has deteriorated, so I don’t foster any longer, but I’ll always be thankful I had the opportunity to get to know them.
Awww, she's adorable. I have a great fondness for all things opossum. When I was younger I use to volunteer with the Opossum society and help to raise orphaned baby opossums. They are the sweetest animals. I am so glad you chose them for this theme, they deserve so much more love than they get.
Oh, sending you all hugs and good vibes. I call them 'gothic cats', and love them dearly; I do get some sideways looks for that opinion! Lindsey was a lucky girl to have you looking after her. Thanks for giving them a shoutout ... as someone with Lyme, I wish we would stop killing them!
Thank you so much for choosing to paint Lindsay. I was really touched by how much you cared about her, and I teared up, too. I love possums and generally tell everyone who will listen that even though racoons are cuter, possoms are safer and you should leave them alone if you find one. The portrait is lovely, Denise. Thank you, again, for bringing it into the world (I am feeling mushy, okay?? haha).
Denise this came out perfect! 😍 I know you kept going back & forth, but your heart definitely went where it needed to be. I have never gotten to meet an opossum, so I'm so happy you shared this. I need to find out if we actually have any here. I have no doubt that you touched Lindsey's heart as much as she touched yours. You giving back to her wildlife center is just the completion of the journey you too had and it truly feels right. Thank you so much for sharing! 🤗
I could totally feel all the emotions that you had about Lindsay coming through. I’m glad that you decided to share her with us! Also my ears totally perked up when you said that they eat ticks! That’s so amazing! We need more!
Thank you Sadie! I really appreciate all the group's input and glad I could make something I was happy with at the end of it! Yay for the tick-eaters :D
I fell for that little pink nose when you shared glimpses of your sketchbook, but I didn't expect this lovely, sweet face! This was educational and a lovely tribute to Lindsay! Thanks for sharing her story with us!
Thank you for doing this video and I love your painting and I thank you so very much for informing people possums are awesome wonderful little creatures. I had one I found her when she was no bigger than the palm of your hand I nursed her the bottle she couldn't be released she was born with no eyeballs I guess that's why her mama threw her away she had a wonderful life with me. they live such a short short life but I feel blessed to give her a Wonderful Life.
I used to work with opossums when I worked at the Busche wildlife sanctuary and are incredible animals to spend time with. They are like cats with hands and can be so friendly and intelligent.
The heartfelt pain in your voice made me cry for you. ;( But it also made me sort of happy for you... Because it shows how deeply you are able to love!
I learned SO much about how awesome opossum are! Lindsay will be on my mind every time I see one in my yard! So thrilled that they eat ticks!!!! Loved this painting and lesson most of all so far..you are one of my most favorite TH-cam artists 💗
Beautiful tribute to Lindsay ❤️ It’s so important to educate as so many people misread wild animals and fear them as a consequence which in turn leads to them getting harmed. Thank you for this video and for spreading the message.
Thanks so much for your kind words Kyomii! Sometimes I forget that being able to read animals is a skill that not everyone innately has. I'm grateful to be able to help in whatever way I can!
I am in awe and have a total respect for your dedication to these animals, opossums and all the other animals you speak of, wonderful picture by a wonderful artist! I am sure you have raised plenty of money and will continue to do so. Thank you for sharing your story and video with us, as always we are looking forward to your next production!
YES, eat all the nasty disgusting gross ticks, opossums! You can binge as much as you want!! Thanks for sharing the story of Lindsay the Opossum and how she had an impact in your life :)
Lovely painting of one of my favorite animals! Your commentary was excellent. Sometimes, coming home late at night, we are lucky enough to see an opossum scurry across our driveway. I've never seen one play dead - maybe because our driveway is long and dark, so we are driving slowly, and the animal is seen far ahead in our headlights for only a moment. I love their pointed, adorable faces, just like Lindsay's.
thank you for this beautiful painting and video :) this might sound dumb, because it's so obvious now, but i never realised before that scavenging animals play an important role in an ecosystem. but of course they do!! it's just something i've never thought about for some reason? it's really nice to get to know these sort of misunderstood or undervalued kinds of animals.
I so appreciate your zoology background and how you bring that knowledge to your subscribers through your art. Thank you for sharing your love of the opossum! I am now less weirded out by them and will be less afraid should one cross my path. 😊
Wow! Jist simply amazing! I could tell how much you loved her from thr tone on your voice. Thank you for loving her so much! I to lost the love of my life Dec 11 2016 I had him for 2 1/2 wonderful years. He was my soulmate. Idk why we love them as much as we do, but I love ot and nothing will ever change that. She was absolutely precious ❣❤❣btw your painting is beautiful! ❤ thank you for sharing your passion.
Another gorgeous piece! When I lived in the country we had a mama opossum and a few of her babies that would come on our porch and lay in the cats bed I had there.
There is something about this piece that makes me so happy. It is stunning Denise, probably my new favorite from yours (thing that I always say once you come up with a new piece😂) but those eyes omg Idk how you did that but they look unreal!! This piece has everything, including my love for granulation! I love it.
I am so happy to see someone who loves the virginia opossum as much as I do! I'm crazy about marsupials, and these lovely, hairy bundles of teeth are no exception. I worked with an opossum named Remy at our zoo, and I was broken up when he passed away, he was the sweetest boy. Thank you for posting this video, and this beautiful painting.
We had a sweet boy named Rio too (all the others were girls) but we only had him for a very short time as he had come to us after being hit by a car, so he came with a lot of medical complications :( It's so hard to get attached to these little lovebugs but I'm so glad you got a chance to know one :)
I get so sick and sad seeing at least one opossum killed in the roads every single day.If only people would slow down. Once I slowed down and picked up a baby one and sat him on the other side away from road. But the problem at the time is that fall comes and we get cold nights and so they try to get warm on the cement.Hence the hit and runs. now I hardly see them. Thx for caring for these adorable critters.
LOVE opossums! They're all over the place here in Michigan. Beautiful piece, Denise! Funny ... you started with the nose ... usually, noses and eyes are the last things I paint. ;-) It's really cool to see how we all approach the process differently and create differently. Each artist has their own style and that is awesome!
Yay for opossum love! I do usually do those features last (especially the eyes) to really make the piece pop, but this picture was all about that nose, so it got the most attention haha.
Yay! I'm so incredibly excited to see your version for this month's artist collective! Your videos have become my absolute favorite when it comes to watercolor and pigments.
Well they are welcome at my house if they are going to eat the ticks, I’ll make sure my dogs are nice to them, but pls people who on earth leaves food for their pet outside, and complained if wild life splurges?! I just love these AAC videos and Lindsay is just Beautiful, making it easy to fall for her , you have captured her essence I’m sure.
I AM OBSESSED WITH OPPOSUMS! haha she is so cute! i LOVE their toes.. everyone around here (Iowa) doesn't seem to care for them but we love them anyway. Somewhere along time, we started calling them pig dogs. Pretty sure it came from a tv show or something (probably Family Guy) but they have been pig dogs ever since with the Mr and I. we love pig dogs. beautiful painting. love your vids. thank you so much for sharing her with us!
Yayyy!!! That makes me so happy! I LOVE their feet and did studies of them before this painting. I wish I could have worked them in somehow. The very special token I have from Lindsay is that we were able to cast her footprints before she passed so I have a set of them sitting on my bookshelf. I love having them to remember her by.
I'm so happy you finally got to paint this opossum! I remember forever ago on my bat video when you told me about how opossums can't get rabies, which I thought was just the coolest fact ever. And now? Even more! Had no idea that there was a difference between opossums and possums. You make me want to step up my knowledge even more because the info you share is always so interesting and opens up my natural curiosity.
Thank you Kat! I can't believe it took so long either, and I still look forward to a little illustration in the future as well. Did I ever tell you Cricket's name was almost 'possum with her pink little nose? In the end I couldn't drop the o from my scientific brain and Cricket fit well anyway, but it was a close call haha. I look forward to seeing more from you on your animal adventures :D
In Liquid Color ahaha, awww, but I think cricket’s really grown into her name even though her little pink nosey makes her an excellent candidate for the alternative!!! I’m a crazy person and my pets names always evolve-I think of she’d been named possum in my house she’d eventually be called posie, and zeezee, and then who knows what. You couldn’t imagine the journey bubba’s name went on! Im looking forward to all of our AAC videos every time we do them, and each of us seems to have a specific thing that I look forward to. Like you really bring in the education, and I love the whimsy that Anita brings. I think I just bring ridiculous and enthusiasm but that’s okay by me! =>.
Opossums are screaming trash babies and I love them. Is it sad that I already knew a lot of the facts you said? The age though was new. Oh my goodness I didn't know they had such short lives. :V Anyways, the painting was beautiful and you did a lovely job! Lindsay sounds like she was such a lovely animal to interact with. Mother opossums with their babies are absolutely great and I wish I had Instagram to see it.
I've never understood why people are scared of these little guys, there just so... dopey. Living out in the country I've had tons of encounters with these guys, and honestly I prefer having to deal with them as opposed to most of the other animals I might have to have a run in with. I'm glad you shared your story of one that was dear to you and this terrific piece with us.
This is such a beautiful piece and I'm so glad you got to do a tribute to Lindsay! I would love to hear more about her, but I totally understand if it's just too hard for you to do so. Oh my gosh, how do we get us some opossum up here? I'm not sure if they're in New England, but Atlantic Canada could definitely use some right about now. Opossum! Come be friends! We have a smorgasbord of ticks for you!
It looks like they just barely miss Canada in their northern range! I'm so glad you enjoyed the piece. What more would you like to know about Lindsay? :)
Yeah! Gosh, opossums. Don't they know that thanks to climate change Canada is waaaay warmer than it used to be? Anything really! Especially on personality, but also fun stories or anything like that. Since we don't have opossums, my only knowledge of them is the hiss they do when pissed off and playing dead. It's totally fine if you want to save all this for a video down the line or something, though.
I was sadly thinking the same thing Ley, haha. Maybe you'll get opossums soon enough. Lindsay was a peach. She liked to sleep belly up in her den box, and was a cuddler. Usually we presented animals on the hand or on a natural display like on a branch, but she preferred to be held vertically against your torso, kind of how you might hold a toddler on your hip? I do remember one time, we had some big head haunchos touring the facility and I was asked to show her. We wore button down uniform shirts, and when I got Lindsay up to show them (they're nocturnal so she was sleeping) she buried her nose INside of my shirt between two buttons. It was a bit embarrassing but also adorable :)
After reading online, apparently the spread of opossums is increasing thanks to temperatures changing, so maybe one day we'll see more of them in Canada. Awwww that's so precious! I wondered if an opossum might become affectionate, so that answers that. She sounds like a total sweetheart! Also, at least she didn't pop your shirt open with her nose. ;)
So, I'm like adamantly, loudly, and passionately against wild animals being taken in as pets... But like, I also secretly want an opossum. They're just such loves 😭 Don't tell anyone my dirty secret haha 😂
I'm so excited to have just discovered the AAC! It's made it so easy to find new arty channels like yours :) Also, hi. Over enthusiastic new subscriber here. Happy to have joined your channel.
What a beautiful painting! :D I have never met an opossum, but I dont understand peoples dislike for them. I also tend to like pigeons, rats and other animals people hate here though haha.
Thank you Ellen! I was dumbfounded when I was in Puerto Vallarta when people were yellow and swinging at an iguana by the pool. Like, it's an IGUANA BY A POOL, how fricken cool!! Breaks my little heart.
Really love this series because I learn SO much about animals on each round. I love your opossum, and great to learn that they are not the same as a possum... so the possum/opposum that got caught in a bakery in that tray of pastry with its belly full, which one was that one? Great painting, it is SOOOOOO cute.
Thank you Patti! I've really come to love the Pentel brushes. I used to highly prefer traditional brushes, but now I reach for my Pentels all the time. I still use a cup of water for rinsing, but the added water is often helpful for larger washes.
In Liquid Color that’s what they’re called some places in Brazil. Not virginia opossums exactly but similar enough. I lived near a lake that had capybaras which are adorable but get loads of ticks so these bebes were always around for those! Also cute & lovely like your Lindsay 💖
Oo that's a fun question! She liked sweet fruit like apples or grapes and buggies, like mealworms :) Fun fact, opossums - or at least all the opossums I worked with - don't like orange foods! Carrots, sweet potato - bleh! She'd always leave them in her bowl or spit out on the ground.
here they're called Gambá (or Saruê, but this name is not oftenly used, actually) and it's the same name for Skunks (i have no idea why, it just happens.) i think they're cute but i'm afraid of them.
Aww thank you for sharing! I hope this video shared a bit about their perspective of us and that they're generally more afraid of us than the other way around - though I've never met their South American cousins!
Hooray for fabulous opossum facts! I didn’t know most of those things, and some of them are quite surprising! Of course, any opossum discussion will always make me think of William Shatner’s delightful performance as Ozzie in Over The Hedge. What Ozzie lacks in *ahem* accuracy, he definitely makes up for with a charm that opossums in the media are rarely given! www.traileraddict.com/over-the-hedge/playing-dead
They eat ticks? Welcome dear friend! My home is your home!
I also like how you've mentioned that we are afraid of a lot of these animals because we don't know enough about them. I still remember how my mother wanted to swat a bumble bee when we were at the beach and the bee sat on my book. It was just sitting there and my mom was afraid that it would sting us. Poor thing just needed a break. These days they sit on me every time I do something in the backyard xD
We all should educate ourselves about the animals we are neighbors with. Less stress and safer for everyone :D I love listening to your personal encounters with different animals. It's very special
I'm a big believer in acceptance being rooted in education and knowledge, and that's why I love what I did/still try to do so much. Rattlesnakes are another local species for us that I'm really passionate about. Why would they rattle and warn you that they're going to bite if they wanted to bite you? They wouldn't! They're just trying to say, hey back off you're too close. So many people kill them in our area that they actually started to relearn NOT to rattle because of the treat that follows... Making it more dangerous for everyone involved. Humans shape so much of animal behavior without realizing it. Love or at least acceptance along with understanding is the way to go in my opinion 💜
Anita Gadzińska m
Thank you for sharing your story and your love for this beautiful animal. They hold a very dear place in my heart. We had a mama and 8 of her young decide that our garage would be a warm place to take shelter during our cold Canadian winter. My husband and I had no problem sharing our space with her for a few days until one morning they were all gone. It was a very sad morning.
I do not think opossums have EVER been talked about or painted so lovingly. I started tearing up Denise. Lyndsay the opossum is beautiful
Really enjoyed this, Denise! I did a mama possum with her babies for the Inktober challenge last year, so I feel akin to this piece you've created! In New England, we have lots of them and have to be very careful driving on warm nights, as they tend to run across the roads. We had one living in your back yard for a while, and I used to leave him/her little bits of veggies, which I assumed her/she ate, because they were always gone the next day. Perhaps I should have left a bowl of ticks? lol! Cheers and hoping all is well! :)
I absolutely love opossums 💜 I've been doing wildlife rehab for almost 20 years, and they're one of my favorite babies. Your painting is totally adorable, and definitely does their cuteness proud 😊
Nice work Denise! And your educating us on these mysterious, at least to me, creatures was great. I have them on my property. I've run across them at night on occasion and along with neighborhood cats they set off the motion activated spotlight from time to time. Was especially intrigued by the the "ticks" info. Great to hear that benefit. Wood ticks are common around here and love knowing they help keep the population down. Thanks again!
So glad to help spread the love for these guys! And indeed, we're all definitely in need of that tick control. Thanks as always Steve :)
I totally get it! I have raised a few batches of orphaned opossum babies for a local wildlife rehab. They’re wonderful little creatures! And ridiculously cute once their fur comes in. My health has deteriorated, so I don’t foster any longer, but I’ll always be thankful I had the opportunity to get to know them.
These little guys hold a big place in my heart. Thank you for sharing.
Oh wow, this is so lovely on so many levels. You got me tearing up, too! From an enormous animal lover and future zoology student: Thank you
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Good luck with your studies!
Awww, she's adorable. I have a great fondness for all things opossum. When I was younger I use to volunteer with the Opossum society and help to raise orphaned baby opossums. They are the sweetest animals. I am so glad you chose them for this theme, they deserve so much more love than they get.
I'm so glad that you have a warm spot for in your heart for them! I so agree they need more love.
Oh, sending you all hugs and good vibes. I call them 'gothic cats', and love them dearly; I do get some sideways looks for that opinion! Lindsey was a lucky girl to have you looking after her. Thanks for giving them a shoutout ... as someone with Lyme, I wish we would stop killing them!
Thank you so much for choosing to paint Lindsay. I was really touched by how much you cared about her, and I teared up, too. I love possums and generally tell everyone who will listen that even though racoons are cuter, possoms are safer and you should leave them alone if you find one.
The portrait is lovely, Denise. Thank you, again, for bringing it into the world (I am feeling mushy, okay?? haha).
You are the sweetest Gina! Thank you so much for the kind words, and I'm so glad I could help bring my love for Lindsay close to home for you :)
Denise this came out perfect! 😍 I know you kept going back & forth, but your heart definitely went where it needed to be. I have never gotten to meet an opossum, so I'm so happy you shared this. I need to find out if we actually have any here. I have no doubt that you touched Lindsey's heart as much as she touched yours. You giving back to her wildlife center is just the completion of the journey you too had and it truly feels right. Thank you so much for sharing! 🤗
I could totally feel all the emotions that you had about Lindsay coming through. I’m glad that you decided to share her with us!
Also my ears totally perked up when you said that they eat ticks! That’s so amazing! We need more!
Thank you Sadie! I really appreciate all the group's input and glad I could make something I was happy with at the end of it! Yay for the tick-eaters :D
Lindsay is a pretty girl and your painting of her so beautiful! Thanks for speaking about opossums, I learned a lot today! :)
LanaGoesArt I'm so glad thanks for watching!
I have to thank you for making those amazing videos. Thank you! :)
I fell for that little pink nose when you shared glimpses of your sketchbook, but I didn't expect this lovely, sweet face! This was educational and a lovely tribute to Lindsay! Thanks for sharing her story with us!
Thank you so much Kelly! So glad you love those little boopable noses too :)
Ice Age :P I can see those cute opossum lying there lol awesome painting again denise.
Thank you for doing this video and I love your painting and I thank you so very much for informing people possums are awesome wonderful little creatures. I had one I found her when she was no bigger than the palm of your hand I nursed her the bottle she couldn't be released she was born with no eyeballs I guess that's why her mama threw her away she had a wonderful life with me. they live such a short short life but I feel blessed to give her a Wonderful Life.
Thank you Coleen for your kind words and for healing that little girl out
I used to work with opossums when I worked at the Busche wildlife sanctuary and are incredible animals to spend time with. They are like cats with hands and can be so friendly and intelligent.
Cats with hands! :) Their paws are the absolute best
The heartfelt pain in your voice made me cry for you. ;(
But it also made me sort of happy for you...
Because it shows how deeply you are able to love!
I learned SO much about how awesome opossum are! Lindsay will be on my mind every time I see one in my yard! So thrilled that they eat ticks!!!! Loved this painting and lesson most of all so far..you are one of my most favorite TH-cam artists 💗
That all makes my heart so happy. Thank you so much for your kind words!
Beautiful tribute to Lindsay ❤️ It’s so important to educate as so many people misread wild animals and fear them as a consequence which in turn leads to them getting harmed. Thank you for this video and for spreading the message.
Thanks so much for your kind words Kyomii! Sometimes I forget that being able to read animals is a skill that not everyone innately has. I'm grateful to be able to help in whatever way I can!
I am in awe and have a total respect for your dedication to these animals, opossums and all the other animals you speak of, wonderful picture by a wonderful artist! I am sure you have raised plenty of money and will continue to do so. Thank you for sharing your story and video with us, as always we are looking forward to your next production!
Thanks Michael! The next AAC is this Thursday - I'm excited for it! :)
I was fortunate enough to work with an opossum species ambassador a couple years ago. They are truly great and special creatures.
That makes my heart happy! Thank you for sharing Ali!
She’s beautiful! You did a wonderful job. X
YES, eat all the nasty disgusting gross ticks, opossums! You can binge as much as you want!! Thanks for sharing the story of Lindsay the Opossum and how she had an impact in your life :)
Denise, I love how passionate you are about these adorable creatures!! This painting is absolutely breath taking
Lovely painting of one of my favorite animals! Your commentary was excellent. Sometimes, coming home late at night, we are lucky enough to see an opossum scurry across our driveway. I've never seen one play dead - maybe because our driveway is long and dark, so we are driving slowly, and the animal is seen far ahead in our headlights for only a moment. I love their pointed, adorable faces, just like Lindsay's.
Aww thank you so much for sharing Sharon! I'm so glad to hear these are one of your favorites :D
thank you for this beautiful painting and video :) this might sound dumb, because it's so obvious now, but i never realised before that scavenging animals play an important role in an ecosystem. but of course they do!! it's just something i've never thought about for some reason? it's really nice to get to know these sort of misunderstood or undervalued kinds of animals.
I didn't even know that these animals existed and now I love them! I love hearing you talk about your experiences and animals!!
That makes my heart so happy Cami! Thank you for the kind words.
Beautiful painting Denise!!! Lindsay was beautiful and has such a sweet little face. I just love opossums 💖
Thank you Jess! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Love this info about opossum I to think they are cute and do a real service.
I so appreciate your zoology background and how you bring that knowledge to your subscribers through your art. Thank you for sharing your love of the opossum! I am now less weirded out by them and will be less afraid should one cross my path. 😊
That makes my heart so happy to hear!
this is absolutely stunning! love this furry guys
Wow! Jist simply amazing! I could tell how much you loved her from thr tone on your voice. Thank you for loving her so much! I to lost the love of my life Dec 11 2016 I had him for 2 1/2 wonderful years. He was my soulmate. Idk why we love them as much as we do, but I love ot and nothing will ever change that. She was absolutely precious ❣❤❣btw your painting is beautiful! ❤ thank you for sharing your passion.
Aw thank you for your kind words Carla! Hugs to you as well!
Another gorgeous piece! When I lived in the country we had a mama opossum and a few of her babies that would come on our porch and lay in the cats bed I had there.
Dawww :D
Amazing painting
Loved to hear about them! We don’t have them in Sweden so it’s extra fun learn about them!
Yay! I'm so glad you were able to include the opossum, and specifically Lindsey
Thank you so much Jennifer! I love the soft greys paird with the light pink too - very calming to me!
opossums are my friend's fave animal!! and i love them a lot
I learned so much with this collective series! Love all the info on these wonderful creatures. Love how the painting turned out!
I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you Yelida.
Learned a lot and enjoyed your painting, thanks 😀
It looks so live like! We don't have this animal where I'm from, but sounds like a pretty awesome one!
THANKS for the education and demo.
Really interesting about opossums and clearly and succinctly delivered. Thank you.
Thank you for the kind words!
I learned something new, thank you so much for the information. Totally love the way you bring this little guy to life.
I'm so glad! Thanks so much Christine :)
There is something about this piece that makes me so happy. It is stunning Denise, probably my new favorite from yours (thing that I always say once you come up with a new piece😂) but those eyes omg Idk how you did that but they look unreal!! This piece has everything, including my love for granulation! I love it.
Aww that makes me so happy Daniel! Thanks so much for the kind words. It's a favorite of mine as well!
I use to work with a caracal at the Great Plains Zoo that was a pet before she came to us. Totally bawled when she passed away of a very ripe old age.
Aww
Wow this so amazing!! love it your drawing watercolour fantastic job 😱👍👌😀
Thanks so much! :)
I am so happy to see someone who loves the virginia opossum as much as I do! I'm crazy about marsupials, and these lovely, hairy bundles of teeth are no exception. I worked with an opossum named Remy at our zoo, and I was broken up when he passed away, he was the sweetest boy. Thank you for posting this video, and this beautiful painting.
We had a sweet boy named Rio too (all the others were girls) but we only had him for a very short time as he had come to us after being hit by a car, so he came with a lot of medical complications :( It's so hard to get attached to these little lovebugs but I'm so glad you got a chance to know one :)
I get so sick and sad seeing at least one opossum killed in the roads every single day.If only people would slow down. Once I slowed down and picked up a baby one and sat him on the other side away from road. But the problem at the time is that fall comes and we get cold nights and so they try to get warm on the cement.Hence the hit and runs. now I hardly see them. Thx for caring for these adorable critters.
LOVE opossums! They're all over the place here in Michigan. Beautiful piece, Denise!
Funny ... you started with the nose ... usually, noses and eyes are the last things I paint. ;-) It's really cool to see how we all approach the process differently and create differently. Each artist has their own style and that is awesome!
Yay for opossum love! I do usually do those features last (especially the eyes) to really make the piece pop, but this picture was all about that nose, so it got the most attention haha.
I appreciate your opposum love ❤️ it's very refreshing to just be able to agree rather than defend them vehemently.
I'm always so elated when I run across another opossum lover! It's such a relief as you said to not have to defend them
Great painting
Yay! I'm so incredibly excited to see your version for this month's artist collective! Your videos have become my absolute favorite when it comes to watercolor and pigments.
Thank you so much Farly! I'm glad to have you here :)
Well they are welcome at my house if they are going to eat the ticks, I’ll make sure my dogs are nice to them, but pls people who on earth leaves food for their pet outside, and complained if wild life splurges?! I just love these AAC videos and Lindsay is just Beautiful, making it easy to fall for her , you have captured her essence I’m sure.
Great video! This is one of the best paintings I have seen you do.
Thank you Lisa! It was definitely a work from the heart!
This may be my spirit animal! lol :)
I AM OBSESSED WITH OPPOSUMS! haha she is so cute! i LOVE their toes.. everyone around here (Iowa) doesn't seem to care for them but we love them anyway. Somewhere along time, we started calling them pig dogs. Pretty sure it came from a tv show or something (probably Family Guy) but they have been pig dogs ever since with the Mr and I. we love pig dogs. beautiful painting. love your vids. thank you so much for sharing her with us!
Yayyy!!! That makes me so happy! I LOVE their feet and did studies of them before this painting. I wish I could have worked them in somehow. The very special token I have from Lindsay is that we were able to cast her footprints before she passed so I have a set of them sitting on my bookshelf. I love having them to remember her by.
oh i love this!
I'm so happy you finally got to paint this opossum! I remember forever ago on my bat video when you told me about how opossums can't get rabies, which I thought was just the coolest fact ever. And now? Even more! Had no idea that there was a difference between opossums and possums. You make me want to step up my knowledge even more because the info you share is always so interesting and opens up my natural curiosity.
Thank you Kat! I can't believe it took so long either, and I still look forward to a little illustration in the future as well. Did I ever tell you Cricket's name was almost 'possum with her pink little nose? In the end I couldn't drop the o from my scientific brain and Cricket fit well anyway, but it was a close call haha. I look forward to seeing more from you on your animal adventures :D
In Liquid Color ahaha, awww, but I think cricket’s really grown into her name even though her little pink nosey makes her an excellent candidate for the alternative!!! I’m a crazy person and my pets names always evolve-I think of she’d been named possum in my house she’d eventually be called posie, and zeezee, and then who knows what. You couldn’t imagine the journey bubba’s name went on!
Im looking forward to all of our AAC videos every time we do them, and each of us seems to have a specific thing that I look forward to. Like you really bring in the education, and I love the whimsy that Anita brings. I think I just bring ridiculous and enthusiasm but that’s okay by me! =>.
You are wonderful!
Opossums are screaming trash babies and I love them. Is it sad that I already knew a lot of the facts you said? The age though was new. Oh my goodness I didn't know they had such short lives. :V Anyways, the painting was beautiful and you did a lovely job! Lindsay sounds like she was such a lovely animal to interact with. Mother opossums with their babies are absolutely great and I wish I had Instagram to see it.
OMG I love that you already knew so much about them! I'll try to remember to put them on Discord when I get to it :D
We have possums here in New Zealand. Since visiting America I've never had the chance to see opposums OR raccoons but they're my favourite.
This is my favorite painting that you have done in animal artist collective
Aww thank you so much!
So sweet, very nice work on this opossum :)
I've never understood why people are scared of these little guys, there just so... dopey. Living out in the country I've had tons of encounters with these guys, and honestly I prefer having to deal with them as opposed to most of the other animals I might have to have a run in with. I'm glad you shared your story of one that was dear to you and this terrific piece with us.
Haha! Dopey is a great word for them!
This is such a beautiful piece and I'm so glad you got to do a tribute to Lindsay! I would love to hear more about her, but I totally understand if it's just too hard for you to do so.
Oh my gosh, how do we get us some opossum up here? I'm not sure if they're in New England, but Atlantic Canada could definitely use some right about now. Opossum! Come be friends! We have a smorgasbord of ticks for you!
It looks like they just barely miss Canada in their northern range! I'm so glad you enjoyed the piece. What more would you like to know about Lindsay? :)
Yeah! Gosh, opossums. Don't they know that thanks to climate change Canada is waaaay warmer than it used to be?
Anything really! Especially on personality, but also fun stories or anything like that. Since we don't have opossums, my only knowledge of them is the hiss they do when pissed off and playing dead. It's totally fine if you want to save all this for a video down the line or something, though.
I was sadly thinking the same thing Ley, haha. Maybe you'll get opossums soon enough. Lindsay was a peach. She liked to sleep belly up in her den box, and was a cuddler. Usually we presented animals on the hand or on a natural display like on a branch, but she preferred to be held vertically against your torso, kind of how you might hold a toddler on your hip? I do remember one time, we had some big head haunchos touring the facility and I was asked to show her. We wore button down uniform shirts, and when I got Lindsay up to show them (they're nocturnal so she was sleeping) she buried her nose INside of my shirt between two buttons. It was a bit embarrassing but also adorable :)
After reading online, apparently the spread of opossums is increasing thanks to temperatures changing, so maybe one day we'll see more of them in Canada.
Awwww that's so precious! I wondered if an opossum might become affectionate, so that answers that. She sounds like a total sweetheart! Also, at least she didn't pop your shirt open with her nose. ;)
So, I'm like adamantly, loudly, and passionately against wild animals being taken in as pets... But like, I also secretly want an opossum. They're just such loves 😭 Don't tell anyone my dirty secret haha 😂
I'm so excited to have just discovered the AAC! It's made it so easy to find new arty channels like yours :) Also, hi. Over enthusiastic new subscriber here. Happy to have joined your channel.
Yay! Welcome Jeannette :) So glad you found us!
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What a beautiful painting! :D I have never met an opossum, but I dont understand peoples dislike for them. I also tend to like pigeons, rats and other animals people hate here though haha.
Thank you Ellen! I was dumbfounded when I was in Puerto Vallarta when people were yellow and swinging at an iguana by the pool. Like, it's an IGUANA BY A POOL, how fricken cool!! Breaks my little heart.
Noo, thats so sad! :(
I love her!
Really love this series because I learn SO much about animals on each round. I love your opossum, and great to learn that they are not the same as a possum... so the possum/opposum that got caught in a bakery in that tray of pastry with its belly full, which one was that one? Great painting, it is SOOOOOO cute.
Oh no! Hahah I hadn't seen that before. That's a possum :) So glad you enjoy the series, thanks so much for watching Oto!
This is my favorite one so far. I love opossums.
I love opossums, too. Your portrait of Lindsey is gorgeous. Do you think watercolor pens are easier to use versus brushes?
Thank you Patti! I've really come to love the Pentel brushes. I used to highly prefer traditional brushes, but now I reach for my Pentels all the time. I still use a cup of water for rinsing, but the added water is often helpful for larger washes.
Humans = Worst invasive species in my opinion!! So happy to see you and this wonderful collective. 💜💜💜
True that, Tiffany! Haha.
And now I'm crying about opossums. 😭😭😭
Where i live they are called Saruê :3 i love them
Oh how interesting! I've never heard that one. Where are you from?
In Liquid Color that’s what they’re called some places in Brazil. Not virginia opossums exactly but similar enough. I lived near a lake that had capybaras which are adorable but get loads of ticks so these bebes were always around for those! Also cute & lovely like your Lindsay 💖
Oh the common opossums! That's so cool. Thanks for teaching me something new :)
What was Lindsey’s favorite food? It’s so cool that you grew so close to a possum. I bet that doesn’t happen too often. 💕💕
Oo that's a fun question! She liked sweet fruit like apples or grapes and buggies, like mealworms :) Fun fact, opossums - or at least all the opossums I worked with - don't like orange foods! Carrots, sweet potato - bleh! She'd always leave them in her bowl or spit out on the ground.
awesome video! i feel like i have a subscription to zooanimals!
here they're called Gambá (or Saruê, but this name is not oftenly used, actually) and it's the same name for Skunks (i have no idea why, it just happens.) i think they're cute but i'm afraid of them.
Aww thank you for sharing! I hope this video shared a bit about their perspective of us and that they're generally more afraid of us than the other way around - though I've never met their South American cousins!
Hooray for fabulous opossum facts! I didn’t know most of those things, and some of them are quite surprising! Of course, any opossum discussion will always make me think of William Shatner’s delightful performance as Ozzie in Over The Hedge. What Ozzie lacks in *ahem* accuracy, he definitely makes up for with a charm that opossums in the media are rarely given!
www.traileraddict.com/over-the-hedge/playing-dead
I'm totally against introducing alien species but SWEDEN NEEDS OPOSSUMS!! 1. The cuteness. 2. Tick eaters! WELCOME MY FRIENDS!!
Hahaha! Aren't they great?! :D