So... This idea I had of joining Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 Days Challenge was crazier than I suspected. I am finding out that although I am struggling, I am learning a lot. Starting out in a new medium is always frustrating as you learn the 'ins and outs' of what works and what does not, and patience is elusive. Of course, I know exactly what I want to do, and think I can make it happen, but my lack of experience and high expectations are at war with each other...
The painting on the left (the wiped out one) was supposed to be part of a payphone. It looked easy in the reference photo, but quickly ended up to be 'simply impossible'. I was mad, then I quit.
A few days later, I un-quit and decided to suck it up and try again. On the left is the painting I did of the failure earlier in the week. Really, no matter how bad my paintings get I am still learning, and my brain is thinking in wonderful ways that are causing me to be more attentive to things such as stacks of orange barrels and backhoes, and inattentive to important things like...driving. I am going down the road thinking about the juxtaposition of everything around me... values, colors, textures, lines... Wondering what colors would I mix to get that blue tone I see in the snow, and what order would I lay out the colors... UGHHHHHHH! Everything is suddenly beautiful and interesting enough to stare too long... I am no longer safe to drive or be out in public.
I will vow to finish my painting for today before midnight, which is a scene from a vacation photo my parents took while in Europe. Even though my paintings keep getting screwier, I will finish this challenge if I have to paint 10 paintings on the last day.
