Claire Livingston

charcoal, from life

Scott Taylor - charcoal drawing

Day 22 - Lashanna Lawler

Oil Painting from Life,  3 hour pose, 4 hours to completion

This is the second time I've had the privilege to paint Lashanna. Being an artist herself, she's a fabulous model knowing what we artists are looking for in a pose. She wore a fabulous coral dress this time. I loved the way the color reflected in her face.

Day 21 - 30 Day Challenge

Here's my fourth set of collages with color changes made with photoshop. One more group and I'll review my work to see which I'd like to expand into a painting. 

Day 20 - 30 Day Challenge

The top image is the original collage. Below are variations I created with Photoshop. Eventually, I will use these as starters for an abstract painting.

Day 19 - Collage for reference 2

Here is my second collage sketch, cropped and stretched, that I will use as reference for my eventual painting.

Day 18 - collage sketch

The top image is a collage that I created from solid areas of color from a magazine.  I've tried painting abstractly by considering a color palette alone, but I've rarely liked the results. I photographed the collage from a few different angles; one or more of them will serve as inspiration for the painted version.

Day 17 - In Progress

Oil

Laura C. Paglin

Charcoal, 2.5 hour drawing from life

Day 15 - Portrait

Oil, 12 x 16 - 3 hour pose. 4 hours to complete

Day 13 - Is This Working For Me?

6" x 6" oil

I've been thinking about this 30 day challenge and whether it is working for me. This morning, I woke up exhausted to post a whimsy floral painting which does not reflect my personal goals and intention for doing this challenge. At times, I feel my work is reverting to decades gone by or I am rushed. Coming home from my design job, I have a window of about 3.5 hours to do all that I need to do. I wish I could paint full-time, but that's just the way things are at this point in time. Coming up with a worthwhile painting has been hit or miss and definitely scattered in subject matter and style.

So, a decision has been made. This challenge needs to work for me. I will paint daily for 2 hours - longer on weekends. My daily post will be of the progress I made the previous evening instead of a complete painting. I may choose to work on one painting for a few days or just a few hours. I will continue to paint 30 days, but not expect 30 paintings. Anyone else doing something different?

Day 12 - Coming Up Roses

Oil, 1 hour 6" x 6" sketch

Day 11 - Running with Scissors

Oil, 6" x 6"

This was a quick sketch - under one hour.

Day 10 - Willingness to Destroy

Oil, 8" x 8"

I've been learning much about myself during this 30 day challenge. I realize in order to grow creatively, there needs to be a willingness to destroy what is previously known. My philosophy and approach about art needs to change as well as the ability to view my work as impermanent and something less than precious.

 I may say that my work is not precious and be OK if it were to become damaged, yet it was difficult to freely try something unexpected in an area. I could feel my hesitation to extend my brushstroke beyond the object's boundaries to break into the background. I avoided destroying an area which I felt was working fairly well. I'll make strides in some areas only to meekly go back and fix it. Perhaps there is a balance of risk and familiar which should be considered.

Rafael Valdivieso

Charcoal,  aprx. 2 hour sketch



I can hardly believe I've been drawing with the Pretentious Tremont Artists for one year. Happily, I'm off to a good start. Rafael was inspirational; everyone's drawings were fabulous. Dressed stylishly in all black, he was a dream to draw in charcoal.

Day 8 - Getting to the Heart of the Matter

Oil Painting 10" x 10" - 2 hour study from life

It's the start of week 2 of the 30 day challenge and after reviewing my paintings from last week, I've noticed that my style is all over the place with no clear direction. My reason for doing the challenge was to force myself to paint daily and loosen up my style. Instead, I feel as if I'm leaning on old habits and styles from years ago rather than exploring new ways of painting. What have you done to shake yourself into the new and progress? Ever feel this way?

Day 7 - Follow Your Heart

Painting with hand lettering
© 2016

Day 6 - Trial and Error

 Oil Painting, 6" x 8"

With no plan or direction, I began abstractly, but then I ruined my painting, again and again. I'm surprised I created this flower...after the fourth wipe down.

Below, I started with a scene I saw driving home from work yesterday. It was a quick 6 x6 sketch of the sunset peaking through the thick winter clouds. I could see window lights beaming through the nearing darkness.

Day 5 - Embracing the Darkness

6" x 6" Oil Sketch

It's easy to keep repeating the same successes, but I know where that path leads. I jumped onto this 30 day challenge without much thought or hesitation. I keep wanting to plan this month out in advance, but I keep pulling myself back because I know my game. It's time to embrace the unknown and untried. Thanks Leslie for providing this safe space.

Day 4 - Now What?

10" x 10" Oil

Today was the last day before I return to my design job tomorrow. Having time off for the holidays has turned me nocturnal. Socializing and working while it's quiet, I was staying up until 2am. I tried to force myself to awaken at my usual time, but somehow slept through my alarm clock after hitting the snooze button.  Needless to say, I was exhausted all day and forced myself to paint. Not the best way to be creative.

Now what? What will I do to keep myself painting daily for the next month? I know I'll be tired when I get home and I don't want the rest of this month to feel like today.  My time available will not be the usual 3-5 hours I've had during my time off. Will I be able to avoid the temptation of skipping a day? I'll need to come up with a plan. Any ideas?

Day 3 - Don't Eat Your Still Life

10" x 10" Oil painting from life

I was going to paint an Avocado today, but I had a taste for a snack last night... It was excellent with salsa and a pinch of sea salt. Lesson learned... don't buy a cupcake until I'm ready to paint it or buy several cupcakes. 

Day 2 - Try Something Different

After painting traditional roses, I decided to shake things up and try something more stylized.  I'd like to pursue this look a bit more - I like the bright colors, but maybe try a more washy/abstract technique. It was fun trying something different from what I usually do.

Day 1 - 30 paintings in 30 days

10" x 10" Oil Painting from life - about 4-5 hours

I decided to take up Leslie Saeta's challenge of painting 30 works during the month of January. Here is the first. I was hoping it would be more abstract, but there is always another day to try again.