Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Day 24 - 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Just One Rose
Oil  6x6
 
A pink rose just for you.  I wanted to give a little recap to my non-painter friends about what all goes into getting a painting posted each day.  Thought you might find it interesting.  First, I sift through numerous photos looking for the perfect one with just the right lighting because in art, it's all about  light and shadow.  (If I was really smart, I'd be painting from life--real flowers).  Secondly, that photo has to be drawn onto the canvas.  Then the fun begins--the painting.  I'm not a fast painter and I tend to love the details, so I usually put at least 3 hours painting time into these little 6x6 paintings.  Then I clean my palette (where the paint is mixed) and brushes.  Next it has to be photographed and loaded to the computer and cropped (haven't gotten into editing yet).  I then load the photo onto my post for that day and write a post.  I publish that post to my blog, to Leslie Saeta's blog--the artist who issued the challenge, and to Facebook and post it to my log of paintings.  During the day, I check the blog and Facebook to see if there are any comments and, if so, I reply to those as timely as possible.  I also try to comment on other artists' blogs.  I've done that every day for the past 24 days!  It's been like the Mad Hatter's Wild Ride--but just plain fun. 
 
You can tell from all this, my house is a wreck, we eat cold food and only wash clothes when necessary.  Just kidding, with the help of my wonderful husband, we manage to get by pretty well.  But I will admit,  midnight comes earlier and earlier these days.  I'm not complaining though.  I consider it a privilege to be able to follow my lifelong dream of pursuing art.  Don't know why I didn't do it sooner. 
 
Thank you all for coming along on this Wild Ride!  Hang in with me--you never know where we might end up.  


6 comments:

  1. Awesome flower and equally awesome post, each and every word hits me as I experience the same. It takes me longer too about 3 - 31/2 hours for even small paintings and I wonder how others get done faster or if I am lacking "fast" skills. Anyways I enjoy painting and have been following my passion since last 5 years and the best thing i discovered about myself! Good luck on you Wild Ride - it is a thrilling feeling!

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    1. Thank you Prerana! I think we all question ourselves, but I'm glad we keep going with our art. It's so nice to have the encouragement of other artists!

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  2. I definitely understand. It's hard finding time to paint sometimes since I have three little ones. But like you I'm thankful I have a terrific husband who helps out a lot. And yes, awesome flower. Your painting are so realistic. You are definitely one of my favorite artists on this challenge and I always look forward to viewing and reading your posts. :)

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    1. Thank you Sam! I'm not sure I would find the time with 3 little ones. Thank you for your sweet comments! Artist friends are the best.

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  3. I love your flowers and what a great post. My paintings take anywhere from 1hr. to 6 and its usually the quick ones that are the best! Sometimes I don't know why I don't stop sooner. When this is over I am going to clean the house, match the sox, wrap up my garden for the winter and then paint again!

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    1. Thank you Sandra! It's nice to know I'm not the only one that labors over paintings. I agree that a lot of my quicker paintings are my favorites. Your to do list after the challenge sound pretty much like mine. Good luck with everything.

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