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.