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| Someday, 12x16" oil on canvas |
Its that time again. This is the 6th Challenge for the HH4 as we affectionately call our bi-monthly challenge group. The four of us shared a beach house when we attended Karin Jurick's workshop in Hilton Head in November. It is much more of a 'challenge' for Lulu & Chris since both are still working full-time, high pressure jobs. Kudos to them.
Challenge #6 was Maria Bennett Hock's pick and she submitted a photo of one of my very favorite subjects to paint... people in museums. I ask you could she have found a cuter little girl looking at Renoir's Dancer? I've taken hundreds of photographs in museums and while I've loved some of mine, never had one this priceless. Bravo Maria.
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| Chris Werst |
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| Kindred Spirits Regula Scheifele |
An interesting challenge question:
An artist friend recently asked me, "Doesn't it bother you painting the same thing other artists are painting." My immediate response was no, I learn so much from seeing everyone's else rendition. I love seeing other people's ideas of composition and color choices of the same subject matter which I hope is teaching me how to make better choices myself.
Later, I thought a bit more about why I have been enjoying challenges so much.
- First, its kind of like the surprise of opening a present. Its very new for me and I love to opening the email with the next challenge.
- Challenges take me out of my comfort zone.
- I decided a challenge is a little like cooking for me, I don't mind cooking dinner, I just don't always like having to decide what to cook! So maybe its nice having a tiny bit of the pressure off in not having to decide on a paint all the time.
- Lastly, I know I'm a person who works best under the pressure of deadlines.
- Not that I miss the pressure now that I'm retired!!
Hi Lydia,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree about the challenge taking you out of your comfort zone. Or just 'forcing' you to tackle a subject you would do otherwise.
A big bonus for me is also the deadline - I'm really comitted to finishing a painting in time, so even if it's on the last evening, I will get to it and paint.
And although I was a bit concerned about painting from the same reference, I do enjoy seeing the different approach we all take. And even if we happen to chose a very similar crop (like this time), the results are individual and different. Which again is a great thing, as it proves that we each have our different and distinct style.
Still playing around with your reference for the next challenge though...