I've Learned a Thing or Two...

Me  (Climbing in a Gorge in the 80's)

I keep this photo on the "inspiration wall" in my studio as a reminder to be brave.  I wanted to share it with you because I feel like my climb in this photo parallels the 30 in 30 for 30 challenge I just completed...  At first it seemed overwhelming, but by facing my fears, being brave, and pushing myself I was able to accomplish my goal.

November turned out to be a month of self discovery (in addition to creativity), so I thought I'd share some of what I've learned.

(In no particular order)

1.  I can create a painting every day (for a month).

2.  I am more brave than I realized.  Before this challenge I wouldn't have posted everything - the good, the bad, and the mediocre.  Which leads me to...

3.  If you create a finished painting every day, you can't expect them all to be masterpieces!

created at Dumpr

4.  Gesso is messy and needs to be handled with care.

5.  Inspiration is everywhere!  Day #10 probably sums it up best.

6.  This challenge has been fun, frustrating, exciting, messy, stimulating, aggravating, inspiring, enjoyable, maddening, invigorating... a challenge.

7.  I'd do it again.  (Probably not in the near future, but I would do it again!) 

created at Dumpr

8.  I like bright colors and sometimes I even use paint straight out of the tube! (I can almost hear one of my college professor's gasp... I can only imagine the tears he would shed over the state of my disorganized and messy palettes!  hee hee)  I also like to play with texture and lots of different techniques.  I do what I love because I love to do it!

9.  I wouldn't have made it through without all of the support and encouragement from my friends and family (both blogging and here at home)!  And finally...

10.  I cannot leave my palette and water container on my desk when I am not there.  Reason:  I have 2 cats, Mona and Lisa.  Mona is the typical Garfield-esque cat.  Lisa is, err... well, um... the more adventurous take-a-tumble-down-the-laundry-chute type.  Lisa is also the type to jump up on a work desk and rest her little paws in a wet palette just to get a drink from a dirty water container even though there is perfectly good, fresh water in her dish.  She is the type of cat that leaves her mark on the world and her brightly colored pawprints all over my studio floor!

created at Dumpr

Word is getting around!  The remaining paintings are available in my etsy shop for the amazing $30.00 price... I'd love it if you stopped by - original paintings make great gifts!