The Real Me

The Real Me

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Day 17


An interesting day. Painted some on location in a restaurant in Woods Hole (painting to follow - not ready to share yet!) and then some in the gallery, too. Started a sample house portrait (yes, I must tend to the business side of art as well as the "just for the fun of it" part). Interesting, in that I am painting over a partially painted canvas, and some of the lines are lining up just right, at least at this point. The first painting on the canvas was an open window, overlooking Sippewissett Marsh, and the second is my old home in Gettysburg, the one that still feels like "home" in my heart in many ways. I don't mean to say that Cape Cod isn't home - it certainly is - but as far as houses are concerned, this one was very special. Life IS interesting, isn't it? xo

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Day 16


And then today real life intervened, and things took too long everywhere that I was, and painting... well... frustrated Mimi tonight that painting didn't happen in the way that I would have liked today. Only a little bit tonight - though it was fun. I started a landscape yesterday, from photos taken on a trip to New Hampshire in July. Tonight I spent a little time painting some rocks with palette knife. I think this is going to be a very FUN painting! I also picked up some back issues of American Artist magazine at the library, with the goal of reading a little bit each night before I go to sleep (place it in my brain to feed on while I sleep) and first thing in the morning (start the day with the art intention.)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Day 15


Definitely out of the slump. Setting a larger daily goal is bringing larger results. Already sketched plein aire (outside) for an hour, and ready to dive into the paints with several projects in mind for the next several hours A pastel sketch done while sitting on a bench at Surf Drive Beach, looking south toward Nobska (at left - 4" x 6") The wind is blowing somewhere between 20 and 30 mph. Was exhilirating to sit there and not only see it all but feel it, too. And working with pastels, my prevailing thought is... that the business of making art is quite a messy business. Pastel dust covers my hands, and now my cell phone. Paint drips on the floor (yes, I use a drop cloth) and spatters onto my stereo speakers. Messy, old clothes are a requirement, not a fashion statement. My car is always full of odd assortments of things. I continually strive for more organization and "clean" but it just doesn't quite get there as I'd like it to. Quite simply, making art requires "stuff." And so I am surrounded by my stuff. Having spent the past six months tossing and sorting in the midst of moving, I like to think that I've significantly lightened my load and simplified, but I am accepting that I will likely never quite live up to the standards some others might set. Yes, I will put out the trash on a regular basis, and clean out the refrigerator, and keep my bathroom hygienically safe. I will vaccum the rugs periodically, and keep the litter box clean. But there will also likely always be piles of books (I can't read just one at a time. Just doesn't happen.) And dog and cat fur dust bunnies. And canvases with unfinished paintings still, at least theoretically, in process. Some call it bohemian. I call it "real life." When I leave this earth, I hope that for whoever has to sort through my "stuff" there are smiles, not frowns, for it will be the tangible evidence of the joy that I am experiencing each and every day, through painting, music, reading, playing with the animals. A blessed life to be certain. Thanks be to God. xo

Monday, September 27, 2010

Day 14


The lesson from today's painting is that quantity begets quality! I did it - four hours of painting. It took me 8 hours to do it, as there was a wonderful flow of visitors through the gallery! I'm not complaining - sales were great today, AND I painted a LOT! Completed the commission piece that has taken me far longer than it should have (refer back to Day 2 for an earlier image of this painting) and also made progress on some other pieces. I think I'm really really really liking this! Thanks be to God. xo

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Day 13

Is this a weekend slump?! Looking forward to at least four hours of painting tomorrow, maybe more. xo

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Day 12

Quantity hasn't happened yet today - but it's still a worthy goal! Keep at it...

Day 11

(written on Saturday, as reflections on Friday's work) Painted first thing this morning, rather than waiting til later in the day. Was a glorious thing to do! So now after 11 days, the "habit" is created. But I want to step up the AMOUNT of time that I spend painting. My goal is 4 hours a day, five days a week. That's 20 hours, which most people consider only a part time job. But it will signify a huge difference from what I have been doing to this time. I pray for direction, and perseverence, and yes, quality as well as quantity! xo

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Day 10

Did a VERY cool outdoor pastel sketching adventure this evening! I'd post the sketch, but just realized that it is in my other camera and not as easily downloadable and I'm tired and want to go to sleep now sooooooo.... more tomorrow, art fans! xo

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Day 9

Today was spent with a lot of paintbrush in hand time, but more the "painting walls" type painting than on the canvas, sprucing up the gallery. That's ok - it all involves color (changing some things here) and flow and lots of creative juices flowing thinking of other things that I want to paint. Which is not to say that I didn't paint on the canvas at all! I did - just more of the other type! No new image today... will save that for tomorrow. xo

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Day 8


Well, I've made it an entire week! Starting to feel some momentum. Painted earlier in the day today, which is a good thing. More work on the large lighthouse piece that I started yesterday. Measures 24" wide by 48" tall. Still a lot of painting to be done on this one. Will start a smaller companion piece in the next 24 hours. Same lighthouse, different view. Stay tuned. xo

Monday, September 20, 2010

Day 7

Wow - the painting binge has begun! A GREAT day of painting. Started with an outing to Nobska lighthouse in Woods Hole, where I sat and sketched a small pastel, and roughed in a large piece that I have had in mind for several weeks. Then back home to work on starting the large one. Am attaching jpgs of the sketch here, since someone recently said "oh, your work on the blog all looks so good and finished!"... well, these is most certainly NOT! The sketch's purpose is simply to make me more observant of the details, so that when I get home, I remember it. More tomorrow - I am excited! xo


Sunday, September 19, 2010

Day 6

And on Day 6 - mostly she rested. Not much painting today, just a little. A beautiful September "bonus" summer day. Some time on the water and in the sun, recharging. That's ok. This week, as it stands now, looks fairly open - so there should be a LOT of painting time - though I'm almost afraid to say that, that something doesn't get in the way! Here's to a binge week ahead! xo

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Day 5

Writing today BEFORE I paint. Just posted yesterday's painting effort. And realizing that I'm taking a bit of a risk in publishing paintings that are not yet completed. But I figure that if I want this blog to somehow be inspiring to others, it should be true to the process of creating, by showing what things look along along the way. Though I wonder if anybody is actually READING what I am writing, or am I just rambling on for myself?! Oh well, I'll stay with it in any case, as the discipline is good for me. If there are those who need to see it, then they'll find it! On to the easel now... xo

Friday, September 17, 2010

Day 4


Continued to work on the commission piece and met with the buyer for final tweaking ideas. Also picked up where I left off on some Martha's Vineyard pieces. Feels REALLY good to be doing this. And curiously enough, I am also finding the focus to clean up some other areas of my life that have been a mess for quite a while. All good! Happy Friday. xo

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Day 3

No new painting to show today - but continued to work on the commission that was posted yesterday. Settling into a groove now. It's lovely to have the EXPECTATION that I will be painting every day. And looking forward to it from the time that I get up in the morning. So far it's been an afternoon activity, but I would like to shift it to first thing in the morning, before the other pressures of the day interfere. Thanks to each of you who has offered words of support and encouragement. It's going to be a fun ride! xo

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Day 2


Day 2 somehow feels more like day 1! Yesterday was easy - the first time of painting "on the record" and the first blog entry. Now, the discipline/fun begins! Hung a new light over my painting area today - made SUCH a difference in my ability to see what I was working on, and capture more of the detail. Feels really good and lovely to be doing this. Exciting to have an "excuse" to be able to take time to paint each day! At left - a commission piece nears completion! xo

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Day 1!

Hello dear friends!

I am about to embark on a 100 day journey. Or should I call it a commitment? Or maybe binge is the right word? Anyway - I am committing to painting - quality painting - each and every day for the next 100 days, starting today. That takes me to December 22... just a few days before Christmas. Who knows... if it works, I may extend it to a full year!

And I figure what better way to make me stick to my commitment than to publish it. I'll tell you more about the "why" in the days ahead. For now, I simply invite you to sign in and share the joy of this creative journey with me. I'll post my thoughts about the process as I experience it, and yes, will share images of painting progress as well.

May the work that I do in these days ahead inspire you to thoughtfully consider how you might honor your own creative callings!