Why a Painting a Day.

Actually, I was not taking a few days off, but rather, painting like crazy and doing a fair amount of socializing which both feeds my spirit and distracts me.

A friend sent me the article I have enclosed here, and many of my artist friends know of this man.  Those of you who do not, take time to read the article as he talks about the importance a painting a day has had for him.  Not just in terms of sales, mastering his craft and opening doors to a new audience, but how it is a way of life.

I have attempted doing paintings a day for several years now, and until last month, I just never "got it".  I was trying to do a good, or great and complete painting a day.  Something I would be proud to show the world. I started keeping sketchbooks and do those almost daily, but the painting a day was too much for my ego to handle.  "If I can't be great, then I can't show people my work." was my mantra.  I judged myself before I let others jump in and even say' "hey, not so bad!"

I paint other things besides my daily paintings.  I also work in a few other mediums at a time and am working hard to prepare for a show that incorporates all of them with a cohesive flow.  Daily painting for me, as others have discovered long before I have, is the only way I seem to learn well.  Thinking, dreaming and doodling my way up to painting just does not make for good paintings.  Taking a brush to canvas and diving in finally has allowed my ego to step aside and just paint.  I know when something is not good, or doesn't work.  Sometimes I let it go and move on.  Other times I paint over it, but mostly I just try to see what I am not seeing and keep learning.  My only concern is I will die before I will learn everything I know I need to learn.

And no, I am not sick or old enough to die (I hope), but I am so excited about opening myself up to learning that I feel I have wasted years pretending to be a good artist.  Pretending time is over, I am an artist, good or bad and best of all, I can only get better.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-seed/duane-keiser-a-painting-a_b_2776043.html