Challenge? What was I thinking?

Simplify

"Peacock Rescue"
#6 - Acrylic on Canvas
16 x 20

Word for the year...Simplify. So what was I thinking when I took on a 30 painting in 30 days Challenge? Well, I guess I thought that nothing unexpected would come up and that I painted everyday.  Of course, none of that is true so here it is the 27th day and I have 5 small paintings done, plus the large watercolor commission that took several days, not one...and another painting 'rescue' (shown here), and a few colored pencil illustrations that do not count, because they are not paintings. (at least in this challenge) Oh, and some clay projects along the way.

Problem #1 was that I started painting with oils, which I do not use much, I quickly realized that the drying time is not something that I am used to. I usually use acrylics, which dry quickly.  I need that learning curve to work more in oils.

Problem #2 was subject matter that interests me. I fight with myself over which direction to go...realism or abstract/surrealism/whimsical.  Although I enjoy some realism, I really enjoy the surreal to abstract. And I diagnosed myself with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) because I tend to get bored doing the same thing all the time.  I'm sure you could tell by looking at my variety of work!
See paintings for the challenge that I did accomplish:   #1 here   #2 here    # 3 & #4 here    # 5 coming soon  #6 See 'Peacock Rescue' above ^.

Problem #3 was that life happens and unexpected trips away from home occur.  Family illnesses, family emergencies all take priority over a self imposed challenge.  Period.  All of which has happened this year/month.

Problem #4 ...which is really not a problem, but a blessing! I have customers who commission me to create for them! So those projects take priority over my painting challenge pieces.  Commissions are Good. Commissions = buying art supplies and paying the bills!

Problem #5 is that I feel like a failure for not completing this challenge, BUT, I can change the rules. I will continue to paint, but the 30 in 30 days is not gonna happen.  But that is okay. I'm not going to beat myself up over it.  Maybe I will get 30 paintings in 300 days? or less. Or maybe one large painting can count as 4 small ones?   I can't guarantee that I will do 30 though, because I am going to stick to my word for the year...

 ...Simplify

Beth..Art with ♥ 

No. 3 & 4 Paintings for 30 day Challenge - Baseballs

Baseball #1

I have drawn many baseballs over the years. My son played baseball, so we had lots of baseballs laying around the house.  So I decided to try to paint one or two with oils.  I thought that I would  paint two small 4x4 canvases with baseballs, so they could be displayed together. I am thinking I need a third one, but that will have to be another day.  These two still need some touch ups. I need to darken the shadows on each ball. Also, Baseball #2 is not quite round enough, so I need to adjust that too. But I need the paint to dry some before I can do that.  But for now, I will post these for the 30 paintings in 30 day Challenge.

Baseball #2

Painting 2 of 30 Paintings in 30 days

Playing catch up!  I've done 3 more paintings for the Challenge, but here is #2.  I'll post 3 and 4 in another post.  Plus I have a few touch ups to do with 3 and 4. This one was very fun to paint.  I haven't drawn or painted very many cats, so I wasn't so sure before I started, but I like the way it turned out.
So here is "Einstein".  Oil on Canvas, 6 x 6 inches.

Day One of 30 paintings in 30 days

Painting #1 ~ Charmin
Oil on Canvas
6 x 6"
Click here to Purchase

Well this is a first for me. I committed myself to paint 30 paintings in 30 days. This is definitely going to be a challenge.  But I did it for Day One! This one is my 'grand dog'.  Dogs may be a common subject in this challenge. It was fun, but I may need more dogs for subjects. I may need to go visit the shelter or some friends with dogs.

This is part of the 30 paintings in 30 day Challenge found on this blog: Leslie Saeta Fine Art 

Looking back at 2013 and forward to 2014

Beginning 2013

This year has been a challenging year, but it has also been full of blessings in many different ways. Our family had some personal challenges that were hard to work through, but with support from family and friends, it has helped me to get through them.  I found a new good friend who has helped me out in so many ways, that I want to thank her for her support and friendship.  It was a blessing to find a new friend, at this stage of my life, that I can trust and enjoy spending time with.  At the same time, you should keep your friends close, because you never know when they may be gone...or come close to it.  So, keep in touch with your friends...old and new.  Thank you to my friend, you know who you are.  (Kat)  And to my oldest friends from Pine Bluff, you are a blessing to me as well! Love you all!

Ending 2013

It has been a blessing to stay very busy with my art in 2013. Thank you to everyone who has supported me by being a customer or just encouraging me in whatever I do.  I really enjoy doing this full time. I am doing what I love to do.  In 2014, I plan to make some changes. I want to SIMPLIFY my life. I have been moving towards this for awhile. I am de-cluttering my space and now I need to refocus my art.  I have been all over the place with subject and media, but I have decided to start out the new year with a 30 day challenge.  It is a 30 paintings in 30 days challenge for January.  I hope that this challenge will help me to focus more on what I want to do.  So be watching for painting challenge photos.

Some of the commissions that I worked on this year include, the Snow House at the beginning of 2013. And one of my Christmas commissions was a cute little Yorkie named Khloe. She is a little cutie patootie! Looks like she may be a little spoiled, just like my little pup! This drawing was done with pen and ink.   I've done many others with color, including watercolor, colored pencil, and acrylics throughout the year and hopefully, more in 2014...so I'm looking forward to 2014 to see what it brings.  

Happy New Year!
Beth♥