Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway
Fear, the only way around it is to do it.
Sometimes jumping in the fire is the only way to handle the situation. A New Year and a new challenge required. After completing my last challenge, I realized that in some way it held me back. I needed a way to have a challenge that inspired me to create larger pieces of art, not just amount of paintings and not just be limited to paint, but any medium. Painting 52 paintings resulted in over 15,000 square inches of painting, equivalent from the ground to its tip of the Empire State Building. Kicking it up a notch, I decided to create 20,000 square inches of two-dimensional for the year 2013, thus the Challenge ART 20K.
Needless to say this new challenge to create 20,000 square inches of art brought me great fear. I wanted to run, I wanted to say it didn’t matter, anything that would get me out of this situation. I knew I needed this, I knew my weaknesses. I have a difficult time getting myself in the studio. Making an art challenge, forces me to make a commitment to create. Once I am in the studio I am fine.
A woman asks Deepak Chopra, "When afraid to do something, how do you know if the fear you feel is warranted or not?" Deepak said, "You have to do what you fear, that’s all". But, she says, What if it shouldn’t be done?" "Well", Deepak asks, "Do you WANT to do it?" Thinking for awhile she says, "Yes". Then the only way around it is to do it." he says smiling. I guess it is as simple as that.
What do you want to do, but fear is preventing you from doing it?
*"I wish", measures 12" x 12", Atelier Acrylic on Vellum, SOLD.
*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA. You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237. Thank you!
"I Painted and They Came"
Well, it has been a peach of a year. The #paint52 Challenge has come to an end. Not counting one Twitter Art Exhibit painting and a commission shown above, I realized that I not only completed 52 paintings but 53.
What have I learned from this challenge?
Honor your word; it’s not just for you but for others as well.
Challenges can invigorate you.
Reward yourself often.
Set manageable goals and ones that can be measured.
Goals are not an end it iself, enjoy the process or it isn't worth it.
Telling your goals out loud makes you accountable.
You may have more talent than you realize.
Others are watching you, even though it may not be apparent.
The more you paint the easier it becomes.
One challenge leads to another.
Completing a challenge gives you credibility.
A great sense of accomplishment can come from succeeding in a challenge.
You can’t do it alone.
It takes a village.
I want to thank you all for your support, without you it wouldn’t have been the same. I especially appreciate everyone who has left a comment, a suggestion, or observation. I learned from what you had to say.
*Giclees can be purchased of above painting "Underneath II", please contact me for prices.
*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA. You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237. Thank you!
What I Don't Know For Sure #paint52
"What do you know for sure?” Oprah asks Deepak Chopra. Deepak’s answer was quick no need for thought. “What I know for sure is, I know nothing”.
Continuing on my journey to complete 52 paintings in one year, I realize that I may have the same answer. I currently have finished 43 paintings with only 9 more left to go on my challenge. Right now I have questions, more than answers?
Has doing this challenge been worth it? Why? What have I gained?
Will I do the challenge again?
Have I had a good ROI (Return on investment)? Does it matter?
What have been the negatives in doing this challenge?
Has doing prevented me from imagining?
Has the challenge prevented me from exploring other mediums?
What would be another way to challenge myself and still create an environment for action?
What if I had a challenge to do so many square inches? Would that challenge me to do larger paintings?
Have I given myself time to study and improve or do I improve by doing? (Maybe it is a little of both)
Has doing the challenge taken the romance out of painting or just made it another job?
Have I created more followers and do they look forward to my paintings?
Have "I" been an inspiration?
I would love your comments, especially if this challenge has influenced you in any way. I am so grateful for all you who have followed my challenge, supported me and left comments. I couldn’t have done it without you and if I did it would have been very lonely.
"Splendor in the Grass" is my 42nd painting of my #paint52 challenge, Atelier Interactive Acrylic on 400 lb. vellum, measures 16" x 22", price $880.00, plus Shipping and Handling.
"Strength in What Remains Behind" is my 43rd painting of my #paint52 challenge, Atelier Interactive Acrylic on 400 lb. vellum, measures 6" x 7", price $105.00 plus Shipping and Handling.
*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA. You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237. Thank you!
Environment Friend or Foe
A friend of famous artist S. C. Yuan, Walter Georis, describes Yuan’s painting habits, “I remember that he was constantly trying to break some rules. He felt it necessary, In order to be a little bit mad at painting or bitter. He needed to be somewhat bitter in order to create the excitement or the stimulus that sometimes the city offers, that Carmel didn’t offer.”
Living in Morgan Hill, although driving distance to San Francisco, definitely is quieter than most, a typical bedroom community. I have become a contemplative living in the solitude of the country, and completely understand what S.C. Yuan was trying to do.
I believe as Oprah would say, that I am having an ah ha moment. I believe living in a small town has also influenced my style. I find a need to create a problem that needs to be solved every time I paint; such as using unusual pallets, have contrasting under-painting, try difficult compositions, use brushes that are large relative to the canvas and attempt subject matter that I am unfamiliar with.
Is this how I create more passion, more creative energy?
How important is where you live for an artist? Does it affect your art positively or negatively? Do artists that live in the country normally paint landscapes? Are abstract painters mostly found in the cities? Where do you live and how has your environment affected your art?
This is my fortieth painting of my #paint52 challenge, medium Atelier Interactive Acrylic on vellum, measures 10" x 12" price $300 plus Shipping and Handling.
*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA. You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237. Thank you!
You Are What You Paint
How important is the subject matter you choose? A friend of mine trying to become a famous artist in Soho, said that every artist was looking for the next gimmick. Jackson Pollock was looking for that next big thing. He practically locked himself up in the barn at East Hampton, hoping to make that break through to become legendary.
Some artists are known for the subject matter they choose, Gauguin for his tropical paintings, van Gogh for his sunflowers, Willem de Kooning for his crazy looking naked women, Wolf Kahn for his beautiful trees and landscape, Cezanne and his famous mountain Montagne Sainte Victoire in the south of France, Degas for his ballet dancers, Monet for his garden paintings of Giverny, Soutine, obsessed with life and death celebrated and painted food, especially meat and Singer Sergeant know for his portraits; the list goes on.
Some are known mostly for a single painting, such as American-born painter James McNeill Whistler, who painted Whistler’s mother, Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci, The Scream, by Edvard Munch, American Gothic, by Grant Wood, The Girl With the Pearl Earring, by Vermeer (a book was even written about the inspiration of this painting), and Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans.
And still others are know for their style, their use of color, their craftsmanship, drawing ability, line, mediums they use, scale, etc.
I have painted many series, from horses, flowers, people, still life, etc, but I do believe that I will always be known for my color.
What do you think you will be known for?
This is my thirty-eighth painting of my #paint52 challenge, medium Atelier Interactive Acrylic on vellum, Title-When The Lights Go Out In the City, measures 6-3/4" x 9-3/4", price $175 plus Shipping and Handling.
*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA. You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237. Thank you!