30 in Sept 2014 - How to do the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge when you also have a full-time job

Acrylic, 6x6"

I hope everyone is still enjoying the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge.  Have you reached the stage of questioning?  I always get to this stage where I start questioning...what is the meaning in painting this painting?  WHY are we painting 30 paintings in 30 days?  

This is one I have wanted to paint since I took the photo in the winter.  I must say, this time the scanner gave me more credit in terms of the light on the subject than my painting actually merits.  And I don't know how to fix that problem anymore than I know how to fix when my scanner makes the painting look worse.  Hopefully the class I am about to take in Photoshop Elements will help me overcome.

Someone asked me in a comment how I am managing to do this challenge with a full-time job.  Here's my tips, some practical, some about attitude:

1) Above all, focus on having fun.  I never would have joined the first 30 in 30 (I've done all 4) if Leslie had not said, "the only rule is to have fun."  I can live with a rule like that.

2)  From the very start, let go of any expectation that you will complete 30 paintings.  Don't expect that of yourself, don't intend for it, and don't try for it.  In other words, do not set yourself up to feel bad about yourself in any way.  And do not set yourself up to spend a month creating paintings you're going to feel crappy about.  Let go, paint as much as you can, post when you can.

3)  In the end, be proud that you painted more paintings than you would have had you not taken on this challenge.  And remember the other benefits:  you will learn, you will see lots of great art, you may develop new artist friends, and you may discover new favorite artists (I already have!).

4)  My new method is to hit the studio and do a few starts.  Loose ones, with no intention of taking them to completion.  Then over the next few days, I can choose one to work on.  Or work some on more than one.  Again, no pressure to complete anything!  Don't ruin your love for painting or your particular painting over anything external to yourself...it truly is not necessary to post to your blog or Leslie's blog everyday, especially if the pressure is making you unhappy.  Be happy and enjoy yourselves, artist friends!

5)  Frankly, I am losing sleep over this challenge, but that is when I am becoming engrossed in a painting and energized to stay up to complete it.  I am NOT losing any sleep over completing a painting in order to make a quota.  

If I think of any other tips, I will let you know in future posts.

Thanks for Watching!  Take good care of yourselves, everyone.  I think that's the main thing I am trying to say....