Hello! 

 

I can't believe we're more than halfway through October. I've been meaning to chronicle September's paintings for posterity earlier, but with one thing and another (and stupid work!!!), I'm just getting around to it now. So without further ado, my paintings from the Strada Easel 30-day painting challenge. 

 

(And so we're all on the same page, this was the thing I was doing last month, hosted by the Strada Easel company. The challenge: paint from life every day for the month of September and share your efforts on Instagram or Facebook. The reward: glory and honor! And entry into a drawing for one of their easels. Spoiler -- I did not win. But I am awash in glory and honor.) 

 

  

Days 1 & 2

 

I waffled over whether I wanted to participate, and impulsively registered the night before and tossed a small paint kit in the car. Last year when I did this, I made a big production of prepping 8" x 8" panels beforehand, but I had nothing prepared this time. These first two were painted on 6" x 8" canvas panels I had on hand. 

 

  

Days 3 & 4

 

Day 3, a Saturday morning kitty litter run to Agway, was painted on Strathmore 115 lb canvas paper, but I have never liked how the paint goes on and sinks in. I blame the paper for my dislike of the painting. However, by Day 3, I had decided on a focus for the month: structures. So of course Day 4 was not a structure. But I knew the sunflowers would be fleeting, and I wanted to give them a go before they were gone. (11" x 14" on canval panel.)

 

  

Days 5 & 6

 

By chance, I found some Strathmore oil paper, which is soooo much better: 215 lbs, and the paint stays on the surface a little more, so I can slide it around. Not nearly as frustrating. 

 

  

Days 7 & 8

 

By Day 8, I have finally gotten my act together and masked the border with painters tape to make everything tidy.

 

  

Days 9 & 10

 

If you just saw Days 9 and 10, you would think I have such an amazing life -- on the high seas one day, a mountain top the next! What can I say... (It was exhausting.)

 

  

Days 11 & 12

  

Days 13 & 14

  

Days 15 & 16

  

Days 17 & 18

 

Day 17 was the low point, painted with much gnashing of teeth and a few tears. I had run out of the oil paper, so it was the bad aforementioned paper, which I blame completely for my misfortunes.

 

  

Days 19 & 20

  

Days 21 & 22

  

Days 23 & 24

Day 25

 

Day 25 was another departure, obviously. I knew, however, because of my schedule, I might not get another chance for a while to paint this scene I had in mind on the scale in mind, so I went for it!

 

  

Days 26 & 27

 

Days 28 & 29

 

Day 28 was one of my favorites. I feel like I had finally gotten comfortable in that size and ~hour time frame. Day 29 was a 30-minute sketch out a window on my lunch break. 

 

  

Day 30

 

And finally, Day 30, at Aldi's! 

 

So, my After Action Report: 

 

1. Having a focus helps, even if it only serves to narrow down the streets I drive aimlessly after work. At least I knew not to drive off into the mountains, where structures are few and far between. 

 

2. Daily painting, while exhausting, is great for quickly building confidence and skill. Especially with these small pieces on paper, I felt less desire to be precious about the subject matter or the outcome because it was on paper, so who cares? I can chuck it in the bin if I don't like it. 

 

3. As I remembered from last year, the first year I did this, the support of random strangers on Instagram is truly touching. I had a 10th grader leaving me inspirational messages and reminders to take time for self-care. Very sweet. I also had the camaraderie of other people who were doing it, and seeing their ups and downs was encouraging. 

 

In sum, I don't know if I will do it again next year, but I'm glad I've had the time, energy, and willpower to participate these past two years.