Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Pink Poinsettia


Pink Poinsettia
Originally uploaded by linfrye
The last day of 2008 ....I spent a fair amount of time this morning thinking about what to say today ... Endings usually make me mighty melancholy!

I've been using Flickr and View From the Oak as my visual and daily diaries, recording the progress of my learning to draw and paint, a bit about my life and what's on my mind. I have been blessed with the kindest, most generous encouragement and incredible friendships through these recordings, and I am ever humbled by such blessings. I thank each of you for your continued support and encouragement....and most of all, your friendship.

I reviewed my art goals for 2008 as well as 2007 -- and found them identical. I read my entries for this day from both years -- and, found them similiar ... painting flowers, sadness that the holidays were ending, hope for the future. And today as I write, I could copy and paste the same sentiments! LOL I'm down with sinus congestion, Mom leaves in 2 days, I've painted flowers!!! Talk about the Circle of Life! LOL

After all the contemplation, though, I wanted to choose one painting that represented my 'year.' So I scrolled through more than 265 paintings ... and, naturally, couldn't choose. There were so many lessons learned, styles and subjects attempted ... and I concluded after all that, for me, the last painting I paint (at least the last one I'm most happy with), would have to be the most representational. In essence, that last painting would/should represent or culminate ALL the lessons, ideas, struggles and joys of the last year --- and in this painting, I think I can claim those very things. So I choose THIS one to represent 2008 --- new lessons from Karlyn Holman, my love of flowers, painting light and form, learning more about negative painting, paths of light, the seasons of my life.

Which painting would you say represents YOUR year?

Art Goals for 2009 -- simply a repeat of 2008 ... with an emphasis, I think, on speed (in other words, QUITE FUSSING SO MUCH AND LET IT ALONE!!!), letting go of trying to 'control' so much, and trying to ACCEPT and work with those 'accidents' that plague us all:

My Art Goals for 2009:

* Sketch/paint daily – It’s the only way I know to improve!

* Practice more faces and figures – I’ve been reluctant to do these – they take more time and thought than I usually have but I really need to tackle this subject, for doing faces tells me when I’m really SEEING and SKETCHING what is in front of me!!

* Practice more landscapes – with my involvement in several plein air groups, I’d like my plein air paintings to improve

* Sketch the everyday - Learn to SEE and PAINT as an artist would – not simply to render the scene – but the feeling and drama of what I love and what I’m painting …

* Continue to work through the many art books on my shelves!

* Practice more values and perspective

* LOOSEN UP!!

* Increase my economy of line and sketching speed - In order to do this, I will have to focus on SKETCHING during the workweek and PAINTING during the weekends when I have more leisure time. I noticed these last two weeks off, that I really NEED that extra time to let the paint dry between washes, THINK and PLAN what I’m doing, etc., and I just don’t have that kind of leisure during the workweek…. So I’ll have to TRY to be satisfied with practicing my sketching and quick paintings at work and spend time on the weekends for more polished paintings.

* Continue to use richer colors – especially DARKS.

* Sketch more things of meaning – and WRITE more in each of my journal entries.

* Study more art theory such as composition, the things that make a painting more dramatic or eye-catching, what makes a good still-life, how to increase the light in a painting, etc., etc.

* I don’t want to focus on particular subjects to paint, but would rather leave that open to painting those things that are ‘meaningful’ in some way.

*And no matter what, get in as much EXERCISE as SKETCHING!!

* And as always: PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE

Here's to 2009!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

11 comments:

Lisa Adams Reed said...

This painting is striking and your words are so well thought out. Have a wonderful 2009!
Lisa

Teri said...

This painting is absolutely gorgeous but then, your paintings this year have all been so gorgeous!

And thank you for your friendship and support since we started this journey.

Happy New Year!

Sandy said...

Beautiful sketch, just gorgeous, and I can see you have a busy new years laid out. Happy New Year to you

Joan said...

Lin - You did a wonderful job on this poinsettia! I think it incorportes a lot of what you've wanted to achieve this year!!! Your goals for the year are great, and I hope you are able to reach them.

Thank you for being such an inspiration and for all your encouragement, support, and friendship. I wish you and your family a safe, peaceful, healthy and loving New Year!!!

Evidence of an Artistic Life said...

This is lovely!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your goals. I feel as if there is such wonderful inspiration in this group and the more we each succeed, the more the group progresses. Happy, happy 2009.

Bonny said...

Happy New Year, Lin!

May all your goals for 2009 come true:)

Robyn Sinclair said...

Gorgeous Poinsettia, Lin. I'd have a hard time picking just one painting from your fantastic output this year.

I really relate to your 'loosen up' goal - just realised I need to put that back on my list.

2009 will be a great year because I'll finally get to meet you!

Anonymous said...

Whew; you make me tired just reading your goals LOL. Mine become simpler each year as I age and the fatigue takes hold more and more each day. I did think about my art goals for the year though and decided that one of my problems has been trying to do something arty each day. I get behind and then I feel frustrated and discouraged. I realized also that I'm a "do it all at once" kind of person -- clean today, organize tomorrow, make art the next day -- a one-track mind since I retired!! So my goals are to accomplish something each day --anything -- and to start back on my destashing and organizing and to work on those projects that need finishing and let go of the others I no longer care for. Realism!
Loved your blog for today, as always!
Lorraine

Peggy Montano & Paintings said...

I just found your blog and am inspired. Your paintings are great.

I will keep an eye open for your paintings in 2009.

Linda said...

Wonderful painting, Lin, and great goals for 2009. Your commitment to your art really shows.

Happy New Year!