"Night on the Town"Oil on linen - 9x12"
Late post tonight so it'll be a quickie.
First - 30 in 30, consecutively or otherwise, ain't happenin'. I was completely committed to finishing a painting each day I went to the studio, but that's not what happened. Each painting I've started has required more care than I could give it in a day.
So the choice became: figure out how to paint something I can finish in a day for the next 25 paintings, or embrace what's happening, and ditch plan A. No choice, I'm going with what's showing up. The reason I signed on for the challenge was to find out if I even wanted to paint anymore, after an almost 2 year hiatus. The answer is a resounding yes! I am loving painting, and that has not happened for a very long time. Something huge has shifted in the time away, everything is different now. Lots more to say on this, but will save it for a more energetic moment.
I am still honouring the commitment - with my latest revision. :-) I am going to keep going until I have 30 New York paintings done, and will post as I go. Please keep checking in, I am loving all of your feedback, and glad to hear that lots of what I'm discovering is resonating with you guys.
In keeping with the new format, here's a detail of this piece:
I love this painting and the depth that you have created. Best city scene I have seen in a long time. I hear you on the 30/30 challenge. I started out with so much energy and enthusiasm. At about day 13 it kind of evaporated. I guess it is good to find out what works for us and what doesn't.
ReplyDeleteYay Karla! I believe finding out what works for us and doesn't is the whole quest.
DeleteI'm delighted to hear of your shift. I have been watching it coming. The flow that happens when we stop pushing is so rich. And the proof is what is showing up ... absolutely stunning paintings, Liz! xox
ReplyDeleteAlice you always say the best things. Love you friend!
DeleteWow! Liz, this is beautiful! Just love everything about this one. I'm glad you are adding the detail shots because I find that fascinating also.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you are enjoying painting because I'm really enjoying watching you paint!
Liz, I'm a big fan of your work. I think daily painters are amazing little creatures. I've tried and tried to start and finish a piece in a day with no luck. The 2-4 day approach for small pieces is much more realistic for me as well. Anyway, I just love the detail in "Night on the Town". Its warm and cozy and wants me to grab a piping hot cup of coffee.
ReplyDeletePainting to a timetable when it's self-imposed rather than necessary seems a way to produce less than one's best.
ReplyDeleteThis one is marvelous. That fluid string of bright lights is wonderful. And if it took four days, so be it!
I agree Shirley, in fact I believe painting to a timetable for any reason is counterproductive to creativity. We need space and time to explore what it is that we want to say.
DeleteVery nice painting!! I like the colors of the night very much! Keep going...
ReplyDeleteI can see why it took you 2 days to do it,it is full of fantastic details,it is a beautiful painting which has a very nice feeling to it,as if the two friends in the painting might be going out to the movies or to a restaurant.Great Job!
ReplyDeleteIn order to keep up, I have found that I have had to choose really simple subjects to paint,and only do a detailed painting when I have the energy and time.In a way it basically boils down to choosing between quality or quantity,and as artists we can each choose our own standard of quality.
I love the glowing lights in this painting. Very beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteHa ha, that's great Roger! They are my friends, and we are going to a movie :-)
ReplyDeleteIf the choice is quality or quantity, for me quality has become the most resonant response.
Commercial dictates would like us to be able to achieve both together. I have found that doesn't work for me, and trying to achieve it took all the joy out of the process.
The light and contrast are so well done in this piece. Look forward to all 30. I know what you mean about daily. I've been working on a large piece, so now decided to just post my daily progress. As she said, it should be fun.
ReplyDeleteI just love how this glows!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting, Liz! I love the energy and the colors of your nocturnes! You have so much life in these paintings - so glad the challenge has brought the desire to paint back to you :)
ReplyDeleteOh this is a wonderful painting. glad you are following your intuition and posting when you are done. I usually take a few days to finish a work and have altered what I do, sometimes taking me to good places, other times interfering with what I need to do. This work is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI am drawn to all the wonderful grays! I'm having great problems mixing nice ones and may have to spend some studio time just working that out! As for the daily paintings; I, too, cannot seem to get one painting done every 24 hours. Of the 30 in 30 blogs I've clicked to, this is a common theme. I'd rather enjoy painting than just have something to post.
ReplyDeleteYes, the light in this painting is exquisitely dramatic. It makes the city feel warm. I love the reflections on the wet pavement and the colors in the sidewalk. Overall, this painting captures the big city at night just as my memory remembers Chicago in my youth.
ReplyDeleteLove your painting Liz - I started the 30 in 30 challenge but after three days realized I had bitten off way more than I could chew since I am moving on Jan 25th and have an term paper due on Jan 21st. I am not happy rushing through paintings either so pick something simple to paint like a single item to alleviate that frustration. I think your approach makes a lot of sense, I mean if it isn't fun what is the point?
ReplyDeleteThis painting sparkles! I love the way you handled the lights. Beautiful painting and great composition and light/dark pattern. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI had a late start to the 30 in 30 challenge and then had all sorts of problems uploading, or trying to. So, I am behind a bunch. But I have been painting -- alas, small 6x6 format that I can handle. I sometimes do 3 in one day and then can't paint for a day or two--uneven, but getting the job done. Plus, I decided to paint the same composition 30 times. I did a large painting and really liked the main focal point which fit into the 6x6 format. I love being able to play with the color and mood and not have to be concerned with the composition. Surprisingly some of them have had a mind of their own and after I put down one stroke 'it' has taken over and it turns out totally different from what 'I' had 'planned.'
Hey Kathy, 99% of my paintings turn out different than I planned. That's the whole fun! I would give up painting before I would become a formula painter, can't imagine anything more tedious. (And I speak from personal experience.)
ReplyDeleteLiz..Your painting and all of your work is truly stunning. I was wondering how you could possibly do these in a day. I also took on the 30/30 challenge because I felt dead inside and decided to try the challenge to see what came up...I like to paint. To paint every day is what is required to move the needle..It has been a long time for me. I feel like I am almost getting warmed up to paint the way I want to begin painting. Keep these beauties coming Liz...take as long as they need..so lovely, so moving
ReplyDeleteThanks for your lovely comments Page. I had lost interest in painting, and took the challenge for much the same reasons as you.
DeleteKeep on painting sister. With no bowing to outside pressure, and the intention to connect with what brings you joy in it. A focus there will help you find your way back.
Liz, Love the light and the mood you have captured. Gorgeous colours!
ReplyDeleteYour work is amazing. I've long been a fan.
ReplyDeleteI am almost embarrassed to contribute after reading all the comments because I feel that I am in trouble for painting every day. I do want to say how much I love your painting
ReplyDeleteLiz. Your talent is awesome.
Lol - that's awesome Julie! At least someone out there is rising to the original challenge - go girl!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for your nice words :-)
Hello Liz...wow, I can't imagine even considering for a second not painting if I had your skill. I love your work...the city scenes appeal to traveler in me. I found your blog via Karin Jurick.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Wichita, Kansas!
Thanks so much Lisa.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be writing an article this month about the desire to quit painting and what happened. I think my experience is one that many artists share.
Stunning! I can't stop looking at it as it really draws me in. I think you made the right choice.
ReplyDeleteWonderful life in this one, sparkling spectacular and special..:) What makes me smile is that you are loving it...thats very cool!
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you Liz, your New York paintings are absolutely amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteI can feel the atmosphere in this painting. It is so alive that I am almost in the painting myself. I can't stop looking at it. Brava!!
ReplyDeleteHommage to Caillebotte?
ReplyDeleteWonderful painting. I love your use of colors. I would love to read your article but I hope you keep painting.
ReplyDeleteThose night time scenes are wonderful! I love what you have saying in these posts and can't wait to see more of your New York pieces.
ReplyDeleteI managed to get 13 paintings for the 30/30 challenge before I bagged it. I hate when I don't live up to my own expectations, but your advice about dropping anything negative from your painting life is right on.
ReplyDeleteI love what you're doing with the New York challenge. These paintings sparkle with life.
Liz, In my book, this painting is a WINNER. I really love your New York series. Absolutely Great!!!. Sally
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