Thursday, January 29, 2015

"Where Will You Go From Here?" Oil Pastel - 30 Paintings in January 2015

Oil Pastel, 3x4"
$30 plus shipping

The title of this painting is my question for all of us:  "Where Will You Go From Here?"  

We have had a great run with lots of ups and downs, and as this 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge comes to an end, there is a risk of feeling like we are losing something.  Which is always a possibility.  

But so much potential exists for gaining something!  New art friends, new painting methods, new studio habits, and in my case, even a new painting medium...

Let us keep the best of this Challenge going indefinitely and let go of what does not serve us (the pressure to perform).  Let us stick together and continue to support each other as we have through these 30 Days.  

I will look forward to seeing where you all go from here!

Personal Painting Note
I wanted to tell you what happened to me with this painting.  The past few days, I have been very weary of the Challenge and noticing the same happening to many other 30 in 30ers.  I had a migraine last night, so I used one of my "paint-ahead" paintings for my post for yesterday and fully expected I would do the same for the final two posts, today and tomorrow.

Once I released myself from the pressure of having to come up with two more paintings, I did some cleaning at my house and then headed...to the studio!  Where I painted not only the above painting, but also another for the final day's post.  It seems I personally do better when painting feels like a "want to" not a "have to."   Letting myself off the hook brought me right back around to my art!

11 comments:

carol edan said...

Good morning!!! What a wonderful and expressive painting!!! Love the complimentary palette... now I know when to check your blog HA HA 7:30 AM my time!!!

Meredith Adler said...

Thanks, Carol and good morning! Yes, I try to put it out there at 12:30 a.m. my time! Enjoy your day...hope you are!

Susan said...

This is such a happy painting, Meredith. Makes me want to walk down the path into the happy!! Good job. And I know to well how much more fun it is to paint when you don't "have to".

When I'm done, I'm going to take a short break. Maybe just a day or two. I'm hoping it will warm up enough soon so that I can get out and paint my marshes in plein air!!

Nelvia said...

Morning Meredith, like both the painting and the sentiment. Where are we going?? I got this funny feeling today, #29, already here? but so glad, but sure will feel funny on Saturday not to have to jump up and post something. Guess we will just have to help each other keep it going.

Unknown said...

Just wonderful colors, burning bushes metaphorically.

So glad to read your intimate reflections on this process, it's a wonderful connection.

Your experience with the oil pastels reminded me of childhood art materials. Crayons and poster paints. It made me very aware that I was using my oils like those early paints; it was time for exploration. Thank you.

Sharon L. Graves said...

there are many things to be learned in these challenges and I think you hit the nail on the head. Painting with pressure is hard and not as much fun and learning your abilities and meeting new artists is lots of fun.

Meredith Adler said...

Thanks for the compliment, Susan G.--yes a break sounds good right about now! I hope you refresh and look forward to seeing whatever you paint next. And would love to see those plein air marshes!

Yes, Nelvia, I agree, would love to help each other keep the momentum going...

Thank you for the compliment, Laurel, and loved reading your thoughts on the materials. They are somewhat like play...I'm looking forward to hearing more about how you used your oils as play materials--very intriguing...

And dear Sharon, as a veteran of so many of these 30 in 30's, I know you totally and completely understand! Thanks for being here...

Bhavani said...

Meredith. This is beautiful. Love the colors. I've seen a lot of growth in your oil pastels in the past month and I love the more loose and abstract approach you are working in.

Nancy Goldman said...

This is really beautiful Meredith. I love the vibrant colors.
I agree with your personal note about the pressures of the challenge. I did it a year ago and by the end, I surely wasn't enjoying painting and once the pressure was off, the enjoyment returned.

Carol Steinberg said...

Beautiful colors on this one! For me, I found that, while I don't like the pressure, I kind of still need it...so I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do from here. It's great that you naturally gravitate to your studio when not under pressure.

Meredith Adler said...

Thanks, Carol...it was kind of ironic that I went right back to the studio, but I think it was a very good thing!

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