This week, I was having trouble coming up with new painting ideas. That is when I start looking around my studio at things on my shelves. I have a supply of Tootsie Pops- a sand pail full and a mason jar full, to be exact. They are great little sugar fixes while painting- no hands required after unwrapping and only 2 points on WW (used to be only 1 point, but I will deal with it). So, I decided to do a 20 minute challenge with a Tootsie Pop. I kept painting for longer than the 20 minutes because I got caught up in the little wrapper details, but it was fun. Next, I am working on a watercolor of the Mason jar with Tootsie Pops inside- plenty of interest for me with the colorful wrappers and the shininess of the jar surface.
I came up with a lot of new still life ideas also, so hope to get some reference photos taken this weekend for at least a few. I spend so much time trying to think of what to paint- even though I have lists of ideas. So much painting time gets wasted. I hope if I have some good still life ideas ready to go, I will just sit down and paint. Then, I think I will paint at least some of these still life paintings two ways- in oils AND in watercolors. One of my other problems is deciding which medium to go with. I really enjoy both and some paintings are an easy decision. Beaches, and garden types are watercolors to me- but I love still life and there my decision can go either way. If I plan to paint a still life both ways, I won't waste the time choosing a medium PLUS I will have 2 paintings and I am bound to like at least one of them! I know, I know- most of this dilemma could be solved by just being a more decisive person, but that will never happen to me.
Any other of my artist friends have these problems in their studios?
I do not, but I did not the studio :-)))))
ReplyDeleteHi Sheryl, great job!
Ciao!!
Franz
Loved the detail Sheryl! I have trouble sitting down to paint too, but if the rocks and leaves are looking at me I seem to get to it lately. Fighting with resistance is a daily battle around here.
ReplyDeleteAwesome Tootsie Pop! We need that in our Flickr group! I have changed my mind three times about my next painting... and today I finally came back to one of my old ideas that I was tossing around before I got sidetracked with all these other crazy ideas... When you work as slowly as I do, you're committed to a painting for at least a month.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everybody! It was so fun to work on- sometimes the quick paintings are so rewarding! I am so glad to hear it happens to all of us - the whole "what to paint" thing! Thanks for the feedback, I love to hear what you all think.
ReplyDeleteSheryl, I love this! I smiled the moment I saw it.
ReplyDeleteI think making up your mind about what to paint is very difficult.
Thanks, Candy- those Tootsie Pops do bring a smile!
ReplyDeleteSheryl....I do have the same problem. I find I spend way too much time determining what to do next....scanning my reference photos (thank goodness for digital cameras). I'm ready to start a new painting, but I'm also juggling working on my son's yearbook, which I chair. My first deadline is Jan. 24 and I have 10 pages to finish. Sometimes I'm just torn between projects. I love Tootsie Pops and I can't wait to see the painting of the mason jar full of them.
ReplyDeleteGretchen, I agree- where would we be without our cameras and scanners? Good luck with the yearbook- sounds like a big undertaking!
ReplyDeleteSheryl
I'm going to buck the trend and say no, don't have that problem! Time to paint all the ideas and then all the challenges in the Painting Friends forum is what I lack! You should come over to PF, Sheryl, you'd love it there! xx
ReplyDeleteThat's the thing, Pat- I have a million painting ideas and need to organize them so I can work instead of all of the "which painting now?" stuff I go through! I checked out your PF - do I just sign up?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat-
Sheryl
Dear Sheryl,
ReplyDeleteI love your beautiful work and..its "content", too! If I do not hit any idea, I just do relax. Pushing too much kills my work. Take it easy.
Cheers, Sadami
Thanks, Sadami! I will try to relax about it, even though it doesn't seem too likely!
ReplyDeleteYes, just sign up - put me as a reference if you need to.
ReplyDeleteHow to organise the painting ideas? Pop them in a notebook and work your way through them, one at a time!
Thanks, Pat!
ReplyDelete