In January 2019 I am making daily images using mixed media. All of the work is made using hand-painted papers, found papers, interesting bits from my recycle bin, magazines, and glue, I am using this month to play and explore different textures, while focusing on something near and dear to my heart: pet dogs. Really the 30 Days of Dogs project is a way to observe and cherish my elderly lab mix. Sukey is 13 years old and has slowed down considerably. She is still a vibrant member of our family, and we will count ourselves lucky to have another year together. Pets simply do not live long enough, especially considering how much space they occupy in our hearts. Working in collage for this series and using bits of ephemera for the images seemed appropriate. The work is neither precious nor archival. It can be loved and enjoyed for a time, and then it, too, will pass on. Thus, my lighthearted, playful artwork about dogs is also about love and mortality.
You guys, I did it!* For the third year in a row, I created a small daily painting every day in January. And wow, am I glad that it's over. Above is a collage of all the finished paintings, and below is a slideshow set to music that takes you through all 30 days.
(*Except for Day 8. It was a real stinker. I decided that my "demo" painting could count toward the 30 paintings total, rather than doing a make-up day.)
I planned to work from indirect observation, with my flowers set up in the kitchen and my painting work taking place downstairs in my studio. Robert Henri wrote about this exercise, "[The artist] could also make any sketches he might desire to make—for information—but these drawings are not to be carried into the work room. Into this room he only carries what he knows." And that's how I started.
About a week into the challenge I found myself chafing at this structure. It's one thing to set up the still life in a different room, but it's something else entirely to not be allowed to use my sketches in the studio. When I make a preliminary thumbnail sketch, I am looking for patterns and mapping out similarities within the motif. Referring to my sketch, rather than back to the subject, helps my painting stay true to my initial impressions. When the rules prevented this, they made me rely more on direct observation of the flowers (which is TOTALLY not what I thought the point of this exercise might be). And my paintings got really fussy.
Well, it's my project, right? Henri can't tell me what to do from 100 years ago. He's not the boss of me!
So in the second week I allowed myself to carry my sketches into the studio. Ah, much better.
The most successful paintings this month were the ones in which I let go of the motif more. That's where I wanted to be with these observations. More expressive, and less painting-the-whiskers-on-squirrels. And still the flowers never melted off the side of the panels. I could have pushed it all further.
But the biggest lesson I learned in January has little to do with painting or flowers. It's more like something you'd find on a cheesy motivational poster.
"Most of life is showing up. You do the best you can, which varies from day to day." -- Regina Brett
I fully admit that I was simply not into this challenge, even though I had enthusiastically planned it out for months and persuaded a half dozen of my friends to paint along with me in January. And once I got into it, I felt very blah about the whole thing. Not at all how I expected to feel.
But I realized how grateful I am for having created forward momentum for myself, the momentum of routines.
In January I make 30 paintings, so I did that.
I need to photograph the paintings, list them on Etsy, and update my blog, so I did that.
I write a monthly newsletter, so I did that.
I didn't do it with joy. But I did it. The doing didn't stop. Because it's my job. And I get up, and go to work, even on the days I don't feel like it. I keep that date with myself.
And the paintings are fine. There's no dark cloud hanging over the work. If I hadn't told you about my flagging motivation, dear reader, you would never know from looking at that exuberantly colorful end of month collage.
I consider that a very happy ending.
Each of the paintings this month measures 6 x 6 inches and was painted with acrylic paint on birch wood panels. They are available for purchase in my Etsy shop for $100 each, along with several other small floral paintings of mine I marked down for the occasion.
Information about this project, purchasing, and shipping is here.
Also, if you want to see what my friends made in January, check out the AWGI blog here.
"Fisherman's Blues" - 6 x 6 inches, acrylic on birch panel, $100. Available in my Etsy shop. Another Bonnard-inspired offering. I usually avoid working with sticky paint.
Information about this project, purchasing, and shipping is here.
Also, some of my dear friends are painting along with me this month. Check out their work here.
It’s my January 2018 Newletter! In which I celebrate reaching the halfway point in my 30 day painting challenge. Bishop’s Stock has a special deal on my remaining Studio Sweep Sale paintings through 1/27. And I introduce you to my tribe. Read on…
30-in-30 In Progress
I'm halfway through my annual 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge, this time looking at flowers--or, rather, *not looking* at flowers. My flowers are set up in the kitchen, where I'm allowed to look and make sketches, and then I paint downstairs in studio. If nothing else, I'm getting some exercise. The point of all this walking around is to improve my powers of observation and memory. Each of the paintings is listed in my Etsy shop for $100 & free shipping (under the SALE tab).
The Sale Gets Sweeter
Only 10 days left in the Studio Sweep Sale at Bishop's Stock. So we've deepened the discounts on my small paintings (5x7 & 6x6 inches). Buy 1, get the 2nd painting 50% off. Grab your snow boots, and head over to the gallery. Sale ends January 27th.
Introducing AWGI
All month I have been working alongside my colleagues in Artists Working Group International. AWGI is made up of like-minded visual artists who became friends during an art workshop last year. Our members hail from the US & UK and work in a variety of styles and mediums. We do not have a secret handshake. Yet. And you can follow what all of us are working on for the 30 Days Challenge on the AWGI blog.
If you would like my newsletter conveniently delivered right to your inbox each month,subscribe here. When you sign up, I will send you a free, printable coloring page as a little thank you!
I've been keeping up with my daily painting and posting on Instagram, but I didn't manage to sit down at my desk to update the blog all week or get new listings in the Etsy shop. So I'm going to show you Days 10-15 here. It's hard to believe I'm halfway through the month already!
Day 10: "Consider the Coconut" - 6 x 6 inches, acrylic on birch, $100, available.
Day 11: "A Tune for Those Who Wish to Overlook" - 6 x 6 inches, acrylic on birch, $100, available.
Day 12: "I Does What I Does" - 6 x 6 inches, acrylic on birch, $100, available.
Day 13: "What Will Become of My Dear Friend?" - 6 x 6 inches, acrylic on birch, $100, available.
Day 14: "Sweetness" - 6 x 6 inches, acrylic on birch, $100, available.
Day 15: "Every Single Night's All Right" - 6 x 6 inches, acrylic on birch, $100, available.
I can feel myself letting go of the motif more each day, and that's exactly where I want to be at this stage in the challenge. So if you see the flowers melting off the side of the upcoming panels, don't be too surprised.
Information about this project, purchasing, and shipping is here.
Also, some of my dear friends are painting along with me this month. Check out their work here.
That's more like it! And the title comes from the raucous song "Fisherman's Blues" by The Waterboys. Information about this project, purchasing, and shipping is here.
Also, some of my dear friends are painting along with me this month. Check out their work here.
