Thoughts on Painting

It is that time of year again. The time when I get so inspired by the multiple lists that appear from my fellow artists and friends on their blogs and on Facebook. And they are soooo inspiring. Several of my friends have already cleaned out their entire studio, organized every square inch of their supplies, etc. You get the idea. And I am impressed, don't get me wrong. I would love to have a studio that is spotless and that I know where to find everything. But I also have come to realize that I like a bit of disarray in my life....I function better that way. I suspect that my fellow super organizers are also that way the other 364 days a year, and perhaps they LIKE cleaning and organizing. Just a theory of mine. And if the day should ever come that the cast and crew from Hoarders comes a knocking on my door because I cannot fit through the copies of American Artist taking over my studio and home, then I will rethink this cavalier attitude.

I was thinking this year I will make my resolutions soul enriching and yes, fun.  My whole life is filled with responsibility and deadlines. And I meet most of them, every day and week and month. Sure, I need to lose a few pounds,  and God knows my studio could use a good once through. But looking back through that last year, and really taking stock of what would make for a better year I have come to the conclusion that it's time I spent LESS time organizing things and MORE time enjoying people and art and reading and life. So, in that spirit here is a partial list for my new year:

1. I have joined the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge put up by Leslie Saeta. I am a very slow and meticulous painter, and would like to work on that looser, big brush style that I admire so much. This is a perfect way to add balance to my studio practice. There are 200 artists so far participating, and we will all be selling our daily paintings as part of the exercise. I am very excited to participate with some other fantastic artists. Here is the link:

http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com/2012/12/thirty-paintings-in-thirty-days.html

2. I will go to a museum once a month, come Hell or high water! I live 30 minutes from Philadelphia and a little over an hour away from New York City and it is criminal that I have lived here going on seven years and I have not yet been to the Met in NY, or any of the gazillion other amazing collections in either city. The Rodin Museum in Philly has been on our list for many years and we haven't been there. There is also jazz  (and cocktails) on Friday nights at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and I have yet to make it to that. So here is to some serious inspiration AND at least one nice dinner out per month (after the museum visit of course.)

3. I will try something new every month. This can be a new activity like hang-gliding, reading a different type of novel, eating a new type of food, or even trying my hand out at a new medium like clay.  I read an article last week about how important it is for a writer's creativity to get out in the world, and experience new things to keep things fresh. I would say that is equally as important for an artist. Studio practice is of utmost importance, but your work needs LIFE breathed into it. I find getting out and seeing new things and meeting new people and having new experiences is the ultimate inspiration for me in the studio. 

I am tempted at this point to throw something in that is chore related, but I am not going to do that. The responsibilities will still be there when I wake up tomorrow morning, an empty daytimer in my hands.  I will still get everything done, in my own interesting and unique style that will never be used as a good example by any truly organized person. But this year, I will focus my efforts on learning and growing and being inspired, and hopefully inspiring, to my friends and fellow artists.

Happy New Year 2013!