A New Year - A New Challenge- 30 Paintings in 30 Days

Pink and Green Garden Room, oil, 6 x6, Day 1 of 30 Day Challenge, $85

click here to purchase

For me, there's just something about January 1st of each year that brings a feeling of renewed hope, a desire to change things and a time to let go. 

When Leslie Saeta made the announcement early December she plan to host the 30 in 30 Challenge again.... I was both excited and nervous. Excitement peaked from the memories of the first (Jan 2013) and second challenges(Sept 2013) when I reflected on the completion of all 30 paintings or a total of 60! But then the memories of the next two challenges flashed back causing the roller coaster of emotions to plunge. 

Last January I was so thrilled, couldn't wait to start the challenge because the theme was "in the Kitchen". Dean and  I set up a blog together to post recipes and cooking tips along with paintings of food. I loved it! I was so excited to start and the first 8 days were great! But then a new project entered the picture, total unpredicted. Something thats changed our lives completely. Little did I know that the spark at the Maple and Main Gallery marketing meeting would set off a whole new path - Corks and Canvas Painting Parties. A new venture which has been the catalyst for many exciting events that happened in 2014!  

Fast forward 9 months to September when the next 30 in 30 challenge was to begin. My plan was to produce small watercolors to refresh my painting skills in watercolor and art history. I was enjoying the challenge - the first several were based on Winslow Homer's work. I especially enjoyed research and sharing interesting facts about Winslow Homer.. but then.. the train was derailed... an amazing opportunity blossomed... finding a concrete location to house a long time dream of operating an art studio and gallery together! A Fresh Perspective Art Studio and Gallery was born! The keys were handed over on September 11th and It's been a crazy ride ever since!

So here we are January one and my first painting is completed! In fact, I'll fill you.. I took Leslie's and Carol Marine's advice from the Artist Helping Art Blog Talk Show which was... paint ahead! And that I did. I spent almost the entire day yesterday painting. I chose the theme "interiors" because I love painting interior, I've always loved looking a interior design and decorating magazines.  I also went back to small 6 x6 panels using oil paints.

What else is different this time that's giving momentum to the upward movement and feeling of joy.  Three local artist friends, Dale, Ann and Judy  will be joining me. We plan to paint together on Wednesday mornings. To display our artwork together at the gallery and help encourage and support one another. From each of the challenges in the past,  I have met some wonderful artist friends online who live all over the world and I'm grateful for those friendships. But this is different - this time  we can work side by side which is very exciting to me.

And one last thing.... I plan to incorporate in this month's blog post more info, tips and discoveries on color. Color fascinates me.. color mixing, color theory, color therapy.. you name it ... color is cool! 

Here's a link to Leslie's blog with all 900 artists who have signed up for the challenge...
http://www.lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

thanks for viewing my work.... Happy New Year! Linda