Pssst. Last week for the Big Birthday Give Away! Leave a comment by 10 pm CST, Sunday August 8th. I'm celebrating my birthday by giving gifts! You could be a lucky recipient - butcha gotta leave me just a quick note so I have something to put into a hat.
I'm nearing the end of our Off The Highway project. Remember? Canadian artist, Mavis Penney, and I agreed to paint one painting each weekday for 100 days. It's been challenging, aggravating, exciting, and wonderful. I have huge appreciation for those artists like Carol Marine who paint daily for years.
For those of you who are interested, consider these tips. Read on, they're free.
My Big Bold Shiny List of Daily Painting Tips
1. Get a partner. Being responsible to Mavis to finish a painting every day and send it to her to post was huge. I did not want to disappoint her. Knowing she was waiting for my images before she retired for the night was a great incentive. I suppose it wouldn't even have to be someone doing the same thing, just a warm body supporting you, and poking you with a sharp stick if you lag.
2. Tell someone. Better yet, tell lots of people. Folks love this kind of project. You'll grow your own cheering section. Countless times I'd get asked about my progress. No way was I going to have to say, "Well, gee, I got tired and gave up." Having to admit I couldn't hack it would be like announcing I'm a giant wimp. It'd be like dropping the winning touchdown at the high school Homecoming football game. Nope. Not me.
3. Blog it. Sharing your images helps you take the project seriously. Face it, anybody can finish a painting every day. A few slaps of the brush and 'tada!', you're finished! You and Koko the elephant from the local zoo. Show the world what you're doing and you'll give it that much more. Having said that...
4. Relax. Try something new. This isn't rocket surgery, it's one little painting. Sure, it ends up being a huge pile of paintings after awhile, but why not make it fun?
Day 93 - Tagged 2009
5. Use a theme. Apples of America. Single Shoes from the Streets. Mavis and I decided we would paint anything we might see/find Off The Highway. After a week or two painting landscapes I started to watch the ditches. Then I began to look up, just for fun. A theme helps whittle down what you want to think about, and at the same time opens up new worlds for discovery.
Day 15 Birds Nest on Linen 2009
6. Pick a number. We chose 100. Without a goal of 100 paintings, it would have been easy to pass off the whole thing as a cute idea gone bad. Your number should be achievable, but not so achievable that you don't have to struggle a bit. That's why hot dog eating contests are so much fun. No one wants to watch you eat just one.Is it weird to have a list of six? Well, perhaps there's something you'd like to add. Anything else?
5 comments:
I can't think of anything to add to your list, except that I will say I am proud of both you and Mavis!!! Way to partner up and accomplish something!
There you go! Number 7: Remember to be proud of yourself!! Thank you Karine!
You're almost finished, Patty..good job!! I hope to see whatever you decide to run with next. I'm sure you'll have a brilliant idea--you always do--and I hope you'll allow us to follow along in support!
It has been wonderful to see what you have created. You have inspired me to look into trying a similar thing with my lampworking. I need to find a partner and develop a plan like you have had for your paintings. Thank you for letting us come along for the ride.
I think this was a wonderful challenge to pose for yourself and Mavis. You had to reach to accomplish it, but not so far and high that it couldn't happen. Now that you are done (you are done, aren't you?) doesn't it feel weird to not have it as part of your daily routine?
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