30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Wrapping Up & Looking Ahead

Jan 31 2014 · 13 comments · My Paintings ·1

What a way to jump start the year artistically: attempting to paint 30 Paintings in 30 Days!

I have been listening to Leslie Saeta and her podcasts on Artists Helping Artists for well over a year now.  I have long been intrigued by the concept of her 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge.  Prior to each new Challenge, Leslie  shares an outline on how to prepare for the month. Her plan includes the obvious: having enough supplies, cleaning your studio and selecting a theme. Leslie also encourages each artist to set forth their goal publicly (Facebook, Twitter etc.) so that  friends and family know what we are attempting and can support us.  Nothing like accountability when you’re trying to reach a goal!

I have to say, taking part in this challenge involved a leap of faith for me. What if I fail? What if I can’t paint each day? What if my paintings aren’t good enough to post? Oh heck, what if I can’t figure out how to post???  Well, this year three of my pals from Girls Just Wanna Paint  (Kelley, Page and Sally) were doing this challenge  and I thought I would try it too.

Heaven behold, I absolutely loved it (almost every minute)!

30 Paintings in 30 Days collage by Pamela Copeman

I think my experience was a positive one because I adored my theme, Interiors. As  an Interior Designer I truly love every element I work with daily.  Painting sofas, chairs, chandeliers and even full room designs was a natural fit for me.

What really surprised me though, was the incredible support from so many of you…daily. Your comments were detailed, insightful and encouraging. Some days I lived for the comment section on Facebook! You really kept me going to see if I could outpaint myself the next day.

As an artist,  I feel I gained painting skill in creating a composition quickly, laying the paint on canvas with large brush strokes and having to walk away from the canvas (sometimes before I thought it was finished) because of the time element. Next week when I return to my studio I believe I will paint with newfound ability and confidence ~ along with a  sense of relaxation and a yearning to paint larger!  I also feel like I am in the “groove” of  daily practice; whether to paint or even just going into my studio to draw something.  After all, in accordance with Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers philosophy, I have practice everyday to be the best I can be!

On the less positive side, I did feel pressure on some days to get into the studio no matter what life was throwing at me and that was stressful. I did succumb to two of those days and did not post ~ I’m still trying to get over that! Also on four occasions I posted older paintings but I am semi-ok with that.

Overall, the experience was a success on so many levels that I can’t wait to try this challenge again. (Did I just type that??) And even though I gave myself a day off from the studio today,  I can’t wait to get back tomorrow–although I think I might paint an apple!

“Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.”

~Oscar Wilde

Thank you so much for sharing this journey with me!

Oooh, my collage of paintings may be available as a poster for my Guatemala fundraiser, what do you think?

xo,

Pamela

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13 Comments

  1. Sandy Welchg XXXXX

    On:

    Love, love , love all of them…Great Job!!!!!! What an accomplishment……I will definitely
    do it next time…keep me posted…I’ve been getting her emails, so I’m sure she
    will announce it..
    Congratulations!!!!!

    • pcopeman

      · author

      You have to do this in September, that is the next go around, you will love it and yes you can paint larger! xo P

  2. Lisa Dickason

    On:

    Pam, it was so much fun to follow you on this journey, and so fun to see what inspired you every day. You are so talented, and have such an innate sense of color. I loved seeing how you blended colors and chose one colorful element to “pop” and be the focus of each painting. No two were the same, which really speaks to your creativity and ability to push yourself to create something different each day. Bravo! We should all take choose something to tackle for 30 days – it is a worthwhile endeavor for everyone!!

    • pcopeman

      · author

      Hi Lisa,

      Thank you for such a thoughtful comment~ You always make me think more deeply. This was a stretch for me and I think I am still looking for “my style”. Sometimes my paintings did look so different ~ I am not sure if that is a good or bad trait? That is worthy of a discussion with my painting teacher this week. I also like your idea that we should all “tackle something for 30 days” maybe I will try giving up sugar this next 30 days and loose a few lbs. (hehe). Onto new subject matter in my paintings now, keep watching… Mondays are going to be Paintings and Poems days on my blog. xo P

  3. Sheila

    On:

    Wonderful body of work here! Such a joy to see your work each day Pamela! Congrats!

    • pcopeman

      · author

      Good Morning Sheila,

      THank you so much for taking the time to comment, it really means so much to me. The challenge was a “giant” step for me and I am so pleased I was able to complete it! Every Monday I will be posting new paintings so please keep in touch. xo P

  4. Zachariah Heathwaite

    On:

    Absolutely beautiful; colors, composition, context…. Amazing work, Pam! 😉

    • pcopeman

      · author

      Thank you Zach, You are one of my biggest Fans! xo P

  5. Pamela Copeman

    On:

    Thank you Sandy, you are my inspiration! Thank you for all your comments in January and all of your support xoxo

  6. Suzanne Nethercote

    On:

    Hi Pamela,
    Your 30 paintings are truly spectacular and original. I love your style and would love to paint with you. I am heading off to Florida for a bit but will connect when I return. I love that you are fundraising for Guatemala. I am all about giving back.
    I enjoyed looking for your painting each day. Congratulations on a job well done.
    Xo Sue.

    • pcopeman

      · author

      Hi Sue,

      Thank you for your kind comments, have a ball in Florida. As I write this it is snowing here and I am dreaming of warmer times. Please get in touch with me when you return. xo Pamela

  7. Rebecca Reynolds

    On:

    Pamela,
    You know how much I love your work but I just wanted to leave a comment here so your followers will see that you have so many that adore your work. I LOVE my painting and will cherish having it. I hope to be able to purchase more in the future. i’m so thrilled that you’ve been able to discover such an amazing talent in yourself. I
    t is hard work and you much paint and paint often !
    Miss you
    Rebecca

    • pcopeman

      · author

      Dear Rebecca,

      You are so sweet to comment on my blog…I am so please that you like your painting…it means the world to me because you were raised with a Mom with such talent! I hope to see you at the DBC in March…miss you too!xoxo