The Leslie Saeta January 2014 Challenge is Done

I didn't have time to really get to know the website Picmonkey (who thinks of these names!?) when I made to collage below the other day.  I went back to experimented (played) and found it is a lot of fun!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is so hard to believe that it is time to say au revoir to January!  Yesterday was the end of  Leslie Saeta’s 2014 January 30 paintings in 30 day challenge.  I’m proud that even being gone for a week I finished 24 paintings.   

At the beginning of the year a group of artist friends decided we’d each write a list of art endeavors we hope to accomplish in 2014 and share them when we met.   My list consisted of 20 things I plan to try to do and the challenge was one them.  I also promised myself I'd practice still life painting so those are two things I can already check off and the year is young.

What I learned about myself in this experience:

• It isn’t a bad thing to paint just for the experience and practice. 
• I need to let myself play (practice) more.
• It was liberating not to worry about every painting being good enough to sell.  
• When I spent too much time figuring out what to paint I procrastinated.
• If I ever do another daily challenge I will plan ahead what to paint. 
• It would be a good idea to pick one subject or just a couple and really get to know that subject.
• I can paint faster!!
• I enjoyed the challenge, but it was more stressful than I thought it would be.
• Daily painting does become a habit (I was shocked I felt bad (well just a little) about not painting everyday on our cruise)
• I now have an inventory of small works
• I’m not a daily painter.  I now know I need a second day to go back to a painting.  Not to tweak, but my mind needs that break so I see the painting with fresh eyes.   

Thank you to Leslie and everyone who has given me so much encouragement this month and to all the wonderful artists who participated in the challenge.