Friday, January 29, 2010

Painting #003--Warm Heart


My third painting is one I've done to contribute to "Art Hearts for Haiti." 45 artists from all over the world are contributing ATC-sized original artwork to this group, overseen by Laure Ferlita. If you'd like to participate, please click on the button over on the left. You will be taken to Laure's blog where she has posted all the details.

Now, on to painting # 004..........

Thursday, January 28, 2010

100 Paintings This Year--#001 & #002


"Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there." ~~Josh Billings

After years of putting art on the back burner; sometimes out of necessity, and many times because of fear of not being able to translate the vision in my mind's eye to canvas, I am committing myself to this challenge: 100 paintings by January 10, 2011.

I have come to a point in life in which I'm beginning to see the clearing in the woods after years of moving between continents, homeschooling children, and just the myriad distractions of being a mom---all good, but not conducive to following solitary passions.

After taking Laure Ferlita's fantastic "Imaginary Trip to Paris," I realized a new level of inspiration. Maybe it was just the timing, but that simple step led me to a place where just about everything that passes through my vision is imagined as a painting! Even random thoughts passing through my brain sometimes cross over to the other side and become sketches.

Although, for me, this artistic journey is an intensely personal thing, I have a deep need to share what I do with others who understand this longing to create. I also find great joy in encouraging others who are traveling alongside. Enter the 100 Paintings in a Year Challenge blog. A place where the members meet to encourage each other in an endeavor to work quantitatively toward an end goal of qualitative growth. I look forward to finding my "voice" along the way, as I try out different media and techniques.

#001 "Peaches & Cream"
I began the challenge on January 10th of this year with my first painting. It is watercolor on Arches 140 gsm paper.

#002 "Comfortable in His Own Skin"
The second painting was based on a photo in a 2007 edition of the very cool British sewing and style magazine, "Selvedge." Also watercolor on Arches 140 gsm.

If you are interested in an active, encouraging group to be a part of in your artistic journey, click on the button to the right and check out the "100 Paintings Challenge" blog.