100 Works: Measuring the Progress

Where am I in the 100 works goal?

Detail of a Painting in progress

Oil on paper 24x18", 2013

Krystal Booth

 

 

Right now I am to start on number 26.  A quarter of the goal has been reached.  This is good since a quarter of the year is over as well, though that doesn't even seem possible.  It was not to my advantage to think of this idea later than the new year on January 20th, but that's okay.  It won't be too much of a hindrance.

 

What has changed?  So far paint handling has loosened up a bit.  I don't feel as though I'm strangling my subject as much.  It will be interesting to compare and contrast the works from the beginning of this year to the end of the year.  It's difficult to predict, but it's an exciting prospect.

 

Have I felt rushed?  I really haven't.  I thought that I would feel a bit stressed out and frantic at times with balancing this goal with work and daily life stuff.  So far this feeling has not been felt, and I'm hoping that I don't feel that upon the finish in December.  That's the last way I would want to end this project.

 

What about materials?  The stash of 18x24" canvases has run dry, but I've solved that for the time being by working on paper.  The paper, being more fragile by its flexibility, seems to run along better with the concept behind the works anyway, so it's not such a loss.  I've had to change from Turpenoid to Turpenoid Natural due to painting more.  It's non-toxic, which is better for the workspace that is not always ventilated that great.  The dizzy spell that occurred one night was the wake up call to change products.  (oops! foolish mistake)

 

The Flake White Replacement is a sticky mess and I hate it.  I'm still using it, as the tube is practically full and I don't want to waste money or material.  It's just not as smooth or solid as the Flake White I had been using.  Maybe I'll get more used to it and change my mind, but for now, it's a disappointment and a source of mental cursing upon the palette.  Any suggestions?

 

All in all, there have been some blunders of some instantly failed works, but there have also been works that have made me even more curious in technique and concept.  This challenge has been a good one that has made me realize that I'm much happier if I've been in the studio.

 

Thank you for supporting me by reading and commenting!  It helps fuel the process, and thank you so much.  Love to all!

 

 



Wake 'N' Paint

Armed with a cup of coffee and messy hair, I am painting this morning.

The battle of waking up earlier has been won, though it has been a difficult one to defeat.  My new time to wake up is between 5:30 to 6:00 AM.  This will help fit in a morning studio session before going off to my part-time job.  Any way we can slip in some more studio time is a good thing for our creative endeavors.

In college, I always hated the 9:00-11:45 studio schedule.  I may have loved the class, but that schedule was a difficult one to get my stubborn mind to enjoy.  My attitude was always eyes half shut and believed that I wasn't awake enough to be creative.  Looking back, I now remember that even though a haze of fog may have been circling, it was easy to focus.  That censor in my brain, the perfectionist, was still pushing the doze button and didn't care what I was making in the morning.  The chatter of what errands I needed to run and assignments that were due was quiet.

One of the goals behind the 100 Works challenge is developing a consistant studio practice.  It is one of the most important things in order to improve and gain any momentum.  I know this, though I have been resistant in the past.

For you artists out there, when do you like to work on your creative projects?  How have you balanced time to create with other daily responsibilities?  I would enjoy hearing your different solutions!

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a great start to your week!