30 Paintings 30 Days, Day 7 and Some Thoughts on Daily Art Practices, Plus Tomatoes
I've now done daily paintings for seven days in a row and I'm feeling pretty good about it. When I was contemplating taking on this challenge I was a bit hesitant. In part because I wasn't sure if I wanted to do it "officially", meaning join in with Leslie Saeta's Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days. I also wasn't sure if I wanted to blog my paintings daily or weekly or post them on Instagram or just keep them to myself (or not do it at all). I had a lot planned for September and I was already doing a daily sketchbook (plus I do try to paint most days, anyway). Did I really want to pile something else on top?
I wasn't even sure why I wanted to challenge myself to 30 paintings in 30 days. It wasn't just because of the online challenge. It wasn't to create a month of easy blog posts. I just had the sense that it would be good to do. I've been sketching every day (well, minus a few missed days) for almost two months now and I've really seen a difference in my confidence and my drawing ability. I've been slowly learning to loosen up with my sketching. I'm so glad I have been doing it. I think I wanted to do the same thing for my painting. I also thought it would be good for me to set the challenge of not just painting every day, but finishing a painting every day.
They're not big paintings. But they're paintings. Each day. I think it is good for me. I'm still doing other paintings (maybe you saw this one on Instagram) and I'm hoping that my desire to finish paintings daily will help influence how quickly (or maybe efficiently) I work on those other paintings. We'll see.
In other news, I almost didn't realize that I hadn't yet announced that my watercolor painting of Three Heirloom Tomatoes will be on display at this year's National Heirloom Exposition in Santa Rosa, California.
The exhibition starts tomorrow and runs through the 10th. Anyone out there going to be attending? I'd love to hear about it!
I wasn't even sure why I wanted to challenge myself to 30 paintings in 30 days. It wasn't just because of the online challenge. It wasn't to create a month of easy blog posts. I just had the sense that it would be good to do. I've been sketching every day (well, minus a few missed days) for almost two months now and I've really seen a difference in my confidence and my drawing ability. I've been slowly learning to loosen up with my sketching. I'm so glad I have been doing it. I think I wanted to do the same thing for my painting. I also thought it would be good for me to set the challenge of not just painting every day, but finishing a painting every day.
They're not big paintings. But they're paintings. Each day. I think it is good for me. I'm still doing other paintings (maybe you saw this one on Instagram) and I'm hoping that my desire to finish paintings daily will help influence how quickly (or maybe efficiently) I work on those other paintings. We'll see.
In other news, I almost didn't realize that I hadn't yet announced that my watercolor painting of Three Heirloom Tomatoes will be on display at this year's National Heirloom Exposition in Santa Rosa, California.
The exhibition starts tomorrow and runs through the 10th. Anyone out there going to be attending? I'd love to hear about it!
I think a daily practice is rewarding, especially if it relates to art. I'm enjoying daily sketching and admire your willingness to complete a painting every day. Congratulations on being in the show in California!
ReplyDeleteYes. You're right. Amazing how much good it does. Thanks for your congratulations and sweet encouragement!
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