So, I registered to take the 30x30 Challenge during the month of October, creating 30 8.5"x11" pieces of art in 30 days. The pieces will be shown and sold as part of a larger exhibit at the T.K. Lofts/Gallery in Seattle, December 5 and 6, 2012. The show will be open to the public and I'll give more information about that later. For anyone who has seen my paintings and knows how I like to paint, they'll think that this challenge sounds impossible for me. I normally paint in oils, with tiny brushes, on surfaces 24"x16" or larger (rarely smaller). My paintings take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to complete, if I'm working regularly. I don't plan very much when I paint (except portraiture). I'm an improvisor and I like to see what happens when I trust the paint to show me the way. I tend toward the surreal. I can paint realism, but that requires a degree of planning and discipline that I don't usually prefer. I do occasional abstract, or color-field work, but I've yet to feel totally comfortable doing it. I've always felt like I was cheating a little. Here are some examples of my previous work.

How am I going to tackle this? I have a few ideas, but for now, I think I'm going to let those go. Instead of trying to do one a day (impossible) I'm going to take it in chunks of 6 and 9 at a time. I'm going to paint primarily in acrylics for their speed in drying. I may also try some mixed media. I'm going to try doing the chunks in one theme, or one palette, so when I'm finished I'll have 4 sets of pieces.

Yesterday I picked up the canvasses at the gallery. This morning I gessoed half of them and hopefully they'll be dry and ready for sanding tomorrow. Thursday, I can start on the first set. Yeehaaaw!