Day 31: Went Shopping!!

So I went to Walmart last night to get some art supplies and groceries.  You can't do that at Hobby Lobby.

So I bought about $15 of art stuff:  the canvases (smaller this time) were $10, some brushes ($5) and a palette (97 cents). 

Yup so I am thinking I will do another monthly project! 

And I even may blog about it too.

Here's an idea for my next painting:

This is a picture that I took of a close-up of one of my orchids.  They are all dead now :(

Its a little blurry but I think I want it to be a little like that.... or I will just make the lines sharper.  Now all I have to do is get a fair copy of this picture, sketch it on my canvas and START WITH MY BACKGROUND THIS TIME.  This project may be more technical but I think I will be okay.

Day 30: Final thoughts

I examined my picture and there could be some parts that I might touch up.... over-all though I am extremely satisfied to see it hanging on my bedroom wall.  I don't want to touch it.  I just want to leave it hanging there and expect to see it every time I settle down for my 5 hours of sleep.

I loved my experience.  The beginnings were tough with all my doubt seeping out of me and then hanging over me like a dark cloud.  In the end though, I had something to look forward to that meant the world to me: accomplishment.  What's even more important are some things that popped up along with that accomplishment.  Self-worth, satisfaction and a definite happiness.

I am excited.  I want to start on another painting ASAP!!!  I think this is an experience worth having again and it gives me a lot more to look forward to in my day to just sit down and do something creative.

 I have been a drawing role for about a week now.  I love it.  It's just been abstract designs and stuff I could imagine someone wearing as a tattoo.  Here is one that I am working on now:

I want to do another monthly project this time with an Easter theme.  I have some ideas and I think I will do something original this time.

I just have to find me a canvas.....

More later.

Day 29: I AM DONE!!! Woo-hoo!!!

I didn't think this was possible to accomplish in a month.

I might do more touch ups tomorrow, fill in the village a little more with some greenery- but I am pretty much done.

It just took about another half hour of my time to finish the houses (those were easy) and then I re-outlined the tree in some more brown paint (that was a little trickier).  I also added a little red dot to some of the stars.  Some I didn't like so much so I painted over the red with yellow.  Oh yeah, I also added a bit of yellow to some of the houses windows and the church to make it look like lights were on in the buildings.

I am very satisfied with my work and I look forward to doing some more painting.  The feeling of accomplishment is priceless.

Let's do a comparison.

Here is Vincent Van Gogh's:

And here is mine:

Sweet.  Well I have more things to do!

Day 28: I AM NEARLY DONE!!!!

I sat done this morning after breakfast and put in "Braveheart."  For nearly a whole hour I worked on the houses in my village.  Just a few more brushstrokes and I will be done!

The houses looks rougher and blacker than I imagined.  I like them anyways.  I figure they don't take the glory out of the cute church.  I just have those three houses there on the far right of the village hill to finish up.  After that?  I could research some more on Vincent Van Gogh and find some more things to find out on my subject.

It also wouldn't hurt to give the whole painting some touch-ups.

Especially that tree.

"Braveheart" didn't help me much besides distracting me and made me feel like starting a war with the neighbors next door.  Otherwise, I am having an awesome and some-what lazy Sunday =)

Day 27: Taking a Step Back

When your painting it's always good to step back and see how things are going for you.  Getting too focused?  Need more shading?  Does it lack perspective and seem 2D? 

Here are some pointers that I have picked up from experience and people have been kind enough to offer me:

1.)  Have a plan; a picture is the best way to go.
2.)  If you like something you should save it.  With paint- make more and store it.
3.)  If you plan to do something that might ruin good clothes then DON'T WHERE GOOD CLOTHES! (that's why I paint in my old pajamas)
4.)  When you don't have a variety or what you want either- work with what you have or go get what you need.

To get technical:  acrylic paint is A PAIN to remove from jeans and Ziploc containers are my best friend.  I also try not to use too many brushes in one session-I used only 3 this time (with the help of water and paper towel.) In about an hour I was able to improve the color of my trees and get some of the village done.

I am very happy the way things are turning out.  I think I might even have this done by April 1st!!

Part of the reason it may have taken me an hour is that I had "Donnie Brasco" playing with French subtitles.  I don't know how much my French cromprehension has improved but I think this movie may have made me get all perfectionist when I found a stopping point.

You see, I stopped and stepped back.  Then I noticed that the steeple looked kinda funny.  I went on to even hang the canvas on the two little thumbtacks on my bedroom wall and sit down to take a good look at the picture.  Having it elevated like that made it easier to make an improvement to my slightly wobbly steeple (Yup! I painted in my bed room!).  The change is so small I won't even bother providing the before and after.

It just goes to show that I'm critical.

But one last thing:

It's good to just step back and admire. 

More later!
  

Day 26: Well....

My day can go kind of like this:  I'm SUPER HAPPY in the morning then feeling LOW in the evening.  That's bound to change later this evening and I think it's just this headache that's putting me in a bad mood.  I was stressing a little over the painting and maybe I sprayed too much cologne on the car upholstery.

Anyways, after I dropped my brother off at his work I went to Hobby Lobby to look and see if they had teal.  They did have some and lots of other paints.  I bought what looked good ( some yellows, blues, greens, and brown) and a plastic box that comes with a lid that has a handle.  Super handy for my paints.  I spent $11 on stuff that I may or may not use.... oh well I have the reciept!

So I got home and sat down thinking I will get the village started but no... I have trees and more background to work on.  So I did that and I am disappointed by the results:

But it looks alright and I can tweeak it some as I go.  Also turns out the "teal" wasn't "teal"- some funky green instead.  I can always either return or use it later.  Hmmm....  I will have to experiment with mixing some paint to get what I REALLY want.

I created a play list that I hoped would cheer me up... that may have put me in a worse mood because of Nelly's "Just a Dream" and Christina Aguilera's soulful love song from Burlesque soundtrack.  Music does have it's ups and downs too....but I think I need to get some more music.  You can only listen to something so many times before it gets OLD!

It's whatever.  I am going back to my apartment and listen to something obnoxiously loud and fun.  Then I am going to see Tangled with friends later!!! YAY!

More tomorrow!!! (lots more)

Day 25: 6 more days?? Will I get the village done in time???

So I sat down for about a half hour this morning and the hills were really bugging me so I added more blue.  It looks a little better and now I just need to focus on finishing this project up!  Here's how it looks now:

It's getting there and the village will be kinda detailed so I need to get crackin'!

I added this lighter blue and mixed in more purple.  The only problem I have is that I don't have teal but I will make do with what I have for now.

It's almost done but I still have so much to do!

Day 24: Blue Hills

I had some difficulty getting up at 6:30 (!) this morning to do some painting before I got ready for school.  I got what I wanted done with some fair results within 30 minutes! Yay!!!

I am so happy everything is coming together so nicely!  I used a brighter/ lighter blue to give the hills more of blue-ish affect.  Perhaps I will add some purple later but rite now they could be left alone so I can start on the village!

More later!

Day 23: What's My Style?

I've noticed that my styles are mixed.  Some of the painting is blended and smooth (like Georgia O' Keeffe) and other parts (especially the sky) are choppy and dotty (like Vincent Van Gogh).  It's an interesting mix and I think they work with each other fantastically.

This morning I sat down for about 40 minutes and did some more painting on the "sunny hills."  My focus was to get the yellow to look less greenish so I outlined all of the yellow with white.  Later, I mixed in some bright blue to add variety and made that section of the painting more interesting.

Today was a mix of music.  Mainly Bob Dylan and John Mayer.  Those guys sure know how to soothe my soul.

I have so much to do and so little time.  I also want to open up my evening to make a nice dinner for Dad and Allen (my brother who lost his Camaro to old age and now I have to tote around).  I am thinking fettucine tonight.

I overslept (til 9) and didn't go to French lab (started at 8:15) this morning..... I know.  I am so irresponsible.

But I have a somewhat, reasonable explanation:  SOMEBODY decided to stomp around in his apartment at 4:30 this morning!

Also, I woke up at all sorts of inconvenient hours whenever my music stopped playing.  I finally figured out the REPEAT mode.  Wow.

I reckon the life of an artist is such a hassle but has it's awards.... usually not financially.  I think by the time this project is done I will even be more zombie-ish but happy with the product.

Day 22: The Hills Are Sunny?

Before I came home today to paint I fretted over my psychology homework and my brother not getting a ride from me to work-so I tried to sneak in a nap.  I was so tired that I fell asleep so quickly and started dreaming about my brother yelling at me "Get some crackers!"  or something weird like that.

I quickly got home and saw that my brother wasn't even there.  UGH! 

I managed to find time to do some painting before I had to meet up with my presentation group for anthropology.... I hope we get something done.  The presentation is tomorrow. 

It's so nice to just sit down and paint for 45 minutes and pretend that's all you're expected to do- I wish.  I added more white and painted the yellow over the white so it would stand out more.  I felt good when I found my stopping place but then realized to my horror it looks greenish despite my efforts to avoid that problem. 

Oh well.... it must be too close to the blue and give it that greenish affect.  I will tweak it later with some dark blue and some white.  The way I painted makes it look like another set of hills instead of more sky.  But that's okay..... maybe that's what I was going for. 

School is driving me crazy. 

If only I used my head and just signed up for 3 classes instead of 5.

To cheer myself up I went on the front doorstep and read.  It was nice out and the ghetto kids were running around and playing basketball.  I also listened to Bob Marley on the way back to campus.

Something interesting about Vincent Van Gogh:  he made over 40 portraits of himself.  Starry Night was done at the mental hospital he stayed in (St. Remy) and it was one of his last paintings before he died.  He did more classical sketches and paintings like this one.....  

....before he went for more of a modern style.  The above drawing is called Sien's Mother Wearing A Black Cap.

Oh wow!  I just checked my email and the psych homework isn't even due til tomorrow.

Thank God.

Day 21: The Sky is Starry

I sat down this morning (around 10:30) and painted my stars.

I got done around 11 and felt pretty good about the sky.  I just need to add some more yellow at the bottom and then I will be done. 

The month is coming to a close and I need to step it up if I really want all of this done by the end of March.  

I wish I had more to write but that will come again in the future.

Day 20: Neon Orange Moon? Why Not?

I sat down from about 7:30 to 8 tonight and this is what I got done:

The moon looks intense so I might tone it down more with some white and yellow.  Otherwise, I may have to find neon blue to balance the rest of the painting.....I don’t want to redo the rest of it just so it looks consistent. 

BUT-I might just keep my bright, orange moon.

So here is the painting so far:

Nah....it looks fine.  I will work on the stars next.

Well, I have lots to do…. More tomorrow!

Day 19: The Moon

Well here you go:

I guess I was anxious to see more vibrant colors and couldn't wait to put in the yellow and orange for my moon.  But everything seems to be going in the right order.  I will just have to go back to more dull colors when I work on the foreground (the village, hills...).

I don't have a whole lot to say other than I need some professional feedback.  I should make arrangements or SOMETHING!  I could see what the art professors here can offer me or someone closer to home....  I have been doing a little research on acrylic paint techniques over internet articles but it's all on the professional scale.  Although, I might be able to use some of these techniques they mention.

Onto my music theory;  yesterday was pretty happy and lively thanks to the 1812 overture (courtesy of V for Vendetta). 

Ya....I watched a movie.  So?  My weekend practically started last night.

And it will probably end tomorrow morning.

But that's how the cookie crumbles but I am not crumbling with it.

More later!!

Day 18: Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Today has been really nice so far.

All of my nice green clothes are in Tipton, but I managed to find an old shirt that advertises National Art Honors Society-possibly the only thing artistic I ever got involved in at my high school. 

I managed to practice my culinary skills-cheesy broccoli soup with chicken.  Maybe I will make beer bread later this evening.  Or go visit the Heorot with Dad.

I also painted this morning!!!!

From about 10:30 to 11:15 I managed to pretty much complete the swirls in the sky.  I might add more purple later and a little yellow.
Can't wait to finally get started on the moon and stars....o wait-I might save those for last.

They are practically the best part.

I think it's a Flogging Molly kind of day..... and maybe U2?  

More later....got LOTS OF HOMEWORK. Ugh.

Day 17: Getting Groovy

Today seemed to be a constant repetition of the 1970’s.  First of all, I decided to bring one of my Vincent Van Gogh books to campus- this particular book is awfully shabby and looks as if it was made during the Vietnam War.  Turns out it was published in 1971. 

After classes, I hung out with Dad in his office and we listened to Pink Floyd.  I managed to glance at the book and it has some interesting facts about Vincent Van Gogh's life.  One thing they mention first is that Vincent's father was a preacher and Vincent made a small attempt to follow in his footsteps.  He didn’t care enough for the practice and eventually quit.  There is even a quote that another student recalls supporting Vincent’s attitude.

The setting was in classroom at a training school for aspiring preachers in Brussels.  They were having a grammar lesson.  The teacher asked Vincent a question and he replies ‘“Oh, sir, I really don’t care.”’ (Wallace)

Anyways, tonight I had my Psychology class from 6:30-9.  I didn’t sit down to paint until 9:45 and I ended around 10:30.  I only did some filling and made small changes. 

I already found a spot to hang my painting in my room!!! YAY!!

The ugly paneling kills me inside just looking at it….. but the painting helps.

I bet this awful form of interior design goes back to the hippy days.

More tomorrow!!

*Wallace, Robert.  The World of Van Gogh, Canada: Time Inc., 1969. 13. Print.

Day 16: I Don't Like Working in the Dark

Now that I am in Muncie, I wanted to manage my time so that I can get things done when there is daylight.  I couldn’t bring everything from Tipton, like my floor lamp.  Today unfortunately, working during the day wasn’t in my favor.   I had an early class at 8 and stayed on campus to get homework done until my next class at 3:30.  I ended up coming back to my apartment around 5.

I also wanted to make a nice dinner for Dad and me, so I made homemade Jambalaya.  It didn’t turn out like I wanted but Dad enjoyed it.   We sat at my tiny kitchen table and listened to Robert Plant, read Robert Frost and solved the world's problems.  Just kidding. 

It was getting dark outside, so I adjusted my studio next to my table and brought my desk lamp into the kitchen.

I didn’t sit down to paint until 7 and ended at 8.

Most of my precious time was spent on mixing the right shade of light blue.  I think I got it right and stored it in a little container I picked up at Marsh (50 cents).

It’s starting to irritate me more now that I have to find time for my project AND keep up with other homework. 

Laugh out loud!  This isn't homework.  It's self-discovery.

More later.

Day 15: Blues, Grays and My Paper Plate Pallette

You see that gray-ish area at the bottom?  That was supposed to be a light blue.  I assumed that the bottle being labeled "medium blue" would mean blue.... but no. 

I was able to use my poor judgement of blue.  When I mixed it with white, it came out to this nice gray that turned out to be a shade Van Gogh used in the swirls in the sky- or atleast my copy of the painting looks that way.

Check it out:

So yeah, it's pretty nice to be able to work with the mistakes. 

Whooooops!  I got kinda wacky and didn't create a really good illusion of movement but I will paint over that WITH LIGHT BLUE.

More tomorrow.



Day 13 and 14: OMG!!! GUESS WHAT I DISCOVERED????

So remember all those books I got on Vincent Van Gogh the other day?  I was looking through one that talked more on The Starry Night specifically (Heugten, Sjraar van, Joachim Pissarro, and Chris Stolwijk. Van Gogh and the Colors of the Night, New York: Museum of Modern Art, 2008. 80-85. Print.)

It says on page 81: The cypresses-the darkest tone in the composition-were put in first and already reasonably dry when the surrounding colors were painted.  This is evident because the other colors come against the green and brown of the trees without disturbing the paint layer.

So.  Wow.  That is weird.  I started the painting all wrong but it turns out that Van Gogh did, too???

Anyways.... I just think its pretty amazing that I am so in touch with this crazy dead Belgium.

Yesterday, I went to the library with my Mom before we hit the local Marsh.  And wouldn't you know?  There were LOADS of art books in the entryway area (before you enter the actual library) of books for sale.  They all had my name on them so I got them.

It only took two trips to the van.

I was just looking through one of the books I Art Since 1940: Strategies of Being.  I couldn't wait to glance in it to see if I could find a decent Jackson Pollock painting.  Interesting enough the title page has a quote  by Jackson Pollock: Painting is a state of being... self-discovery.  Every good artist paints what he is.

Or she.


So around 4 today I painted and then ended around 5.

It's starting to look amazing.

More later.

Day 12: On Mistakes and Working With Them

I realized a while back ago that I made a major boo-boo on my painting.  Can you guess what it is?  I will just work with it and manage.  Nobody will probably notice by the time I'm done.

I got a lot of advice from a friend today on my painting which gave me a little more confidence.  I would list out all her pointers but I forgot my notes.  One major-ly thing that stuck out to me she had pointed out that I have to point out as well- for the sake of other painters who may have had no clue like me when I started on this project: ALWAYS START WITH YOUR BACKGROUND!!!!

I got some of the frustrations-of-an-amateur out of my system and worked (while listening to Christian rock/ contemporary) for about a half-hour:

Feeling satisfied for the day, I then went and said "hi" to some of my co-workers at the daycare.

I really couldn't help myself and had to play with my favorite kindergartner, too.

Her name is Emily :)  It was a great way to spend one of my last days in Tipton.

I am guessing that the work to look forward to now may be very slow and technical.... so hang in there with me. 

I still have the rest of the month to go you know.

Day 10 and 11: Finally Made a Purchase !WoW!

Last night I went out to Kokomo to see what Hobby Lobby could offer me.  The tubes of Van Gogh and Amsterdam paint looked really pretty but I am not a professional, so I decided to keep it simple.  I went down eight more aisles for the bottles of Americana and Anita's.  I went ahead and bought some paint; some purple (because I can't make that color!!!), lots of blue, black and white.

PICTURE TIME!

The total came down to $11.11.  Yay!!! That's all I have spent so far on this project.

When I did the math later the three bottles of Americana were about a dollar each!  The three larger bottles of Anita's were priced at $2.47 (that times 3 and then minus the total of the purchase by your product.....)

Okay.  Whatever.  Now that we all had a little math lesson, I will now let you know that I made up for the lost time significantly.

When I came back home this morning from my night of fun (no alcohol involved) I went to work around 4 and ended around 5.

LUNCH BREAK.

Then back to work at 6 and ended at 7.

It was really enjoyable.  This time, Dad kept me company while he also did some painting in the hallway.  Good thing he did.  Those walls were ugly.

We listened to our favorite album: Highway 61 Revisited.

By Bob Dylan.

If you didn't already know.

More tomorrow!

Day 9: Accommodating

Well bummer.

I must have goofed on timings or something because at 4 o' clock I was at the art studio but my art teacher wasn't.  So I went to the library and got a little reading material:

I realize now I got off track.... guess I will have to go back and see what they have on acrylic painting.  The reading has been interesting so far.  Vincent Van Gogh really was crazy!  His paintings are still amazing.

Also, I am going to see about trying to get some sort of expert advice.  I doubt the employees at JoAnn's or Hobby Lobby will know whether or not acrylic paint has an expiration date....................

I rearranged everything from the hall, into my room.  This way I could work late without disturbing my parents sleep too much and listen to my music.  (Aerosmith today.)

I sat down to paint around 10:30 and ended around 11:30.  I got the bottom half done!!

More later!

Day 8: It's not Black.... it's Deep Purple.

Tonight I tried to do as much as possible.  I worked for maybe another hour or more.  It has the look of a silhouette but that is definitely NOT what I am going for.... I will add more color later.

If only acrylic didn't dry out so fast, then maybe I could make certain colors stand out better....?

It's not just black.  It's also blue and red.  It just looks black.  I promise.

Or perhaps I just don't know how to blend a good standard purple?

Anyways, today was pretty much wonderful because I made a little money, got my fill of the small-town gossip and got to see some of my favorite people.

Speaking of favorite people- I cannot wait to see Kendra tomorrow.

I listened to Handel's Water Music.... random I know.  I wanted to create more of a sense of formality, I suppose.

I think it worked and it depressed me.

Hence the blackness?
 

Day 7: Just a little frustrated...

First of all the purple never seemed to come out right, I dropped paint onto the floor a few times, then I had to restart this ancient computer!

I really need to handle my stress better....I am probably going to find other problems along the way.

Mom thought I looked "artistic"-it's the clothes I suppose.

I admit, (even though you might not notice) but I am pouting.

My painting doesn't look as pretty or perfect today.  Plus, even though I took at least a 1/2 to paint, I didn't get as much done as last time.

Oh well, there will be better days I am sure.

In fact today started out in all the right ways:

• I slept in
• I got some schoolwork done
• I didn't go anywhere until about noon
• Mom and I shopped at Goodwill, TJ Maxx, Kohl's, WalMart and Whole Foods 
• I had chocolate
• I set my background music to Zeca (a Brazilian singer)

I am somewhat satisfied with my work.... now I think I will watch the rest of "Desperate Housewives" and eat my all-organic salad.  (I am making up for the Chili Mac Supreme and the Milky Way I had earlier.)

Tomorrow, I am working at the Day Care..... that should prove interesting.

Goodnight y'all!

Day 5 and 6: Tipton Studio

I drove to Tipton Friday and met with my friend Stephanie from my old workplace.  We went out for her lunch break and she was telling me how she used to do oil painting and was willing to let me have her old paint and some acrylic that she had gathered, as well.

I asked her about oil painting and she was saying she doesn't remember a whole lot but she was saying something that I have considered to do in my own painting: starting with a base paint for the over-all background.

When I got home I set up my studio.

It took about 30 minutes to set up (again).  There's so many things to gather: paint, water, brushes, propping, tables, a chair, my picture and canvas, palettes, lighting, newspaper and paper towels.

Thinking on what Stephanie told me on creating a base paint (a dark green) I had more of a blended result.

When I finally got done with what I wanted to do I looked at the clock and 2 hours had gone by without me noticing....until later.  My neck hurt!

I looked at my tree and thought my style related more with Georgia O' Keeffe than Vincent Van Gogh.  I tried to remember what I have learned on her in the past but broke down and gathered further information on her life.

I know that she created some abstract work and is well known for her flower paintings.  She lived some of her life in New York and the rest in New Mexico.  (I love New Mexico.  I would visit Santa Fe on occasion with the family to visit my aunt and uncle.)

From what I gathered, Georgia O' Keeffe was born on November 15th 1887 in Wisconsin.  She studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and in New York at the Art Students League.  Alfred Steiglitz offered payment for her to make a residence and paint in New York in 1918.  Later the two married in 1924.  Georgia moved permanently to New Mexico in 1949 and stayed there until her death in March 6th 1986.  She was 98 years old.

Besides the famous up-close paintings of flowers, Georgia O' Keeffe was also known for her charcoal abstract drawings and cityscapes.  Her style of painting was highly influenced by Arthur Dow.  He was an instructor at the Teacher's College of Columbia University in South Carolina.  Arthur specialized on the Oriental perspective of art.  The oriental style changed the way Georgia painted from 1915 onward.

(information taken was from http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/ okee-geo.htm and
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/ americanmasters/episodes/georgia-okeeffe/about-the-painter/55/)

I feel that I have learned quite a bit already in my pursuit of recreating the Starry Night.  Not just about other painters but from myself.

I love painting.  I tend to switch hands when I paint (ambidextrous?!) and I also feel very calm/ excited when I paint (if that makes any sense).

I wonder if music has anything to with how I feel when I paint?  The music choice for this session was Q95 on the radio and Dad's Grateful Dead music floating up from downstairs. Music definitely lifted me when I was finally done with my work:  as if on cue, the radio decided to play Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll."

I don't know if I can express my happiness in normal wording: reminiscent-blissfulness?  Superbly-splendid?

Anyways, more tomorrow.

Day 4: Setting up!

It's unfortunate that I set up and relocated my studio to the kitchen just to tear it down a few minutes later so I can take my project home over Spring Break.  I mean just look at it, it's beautiful!

And the painting I was able to get done in my small time frame (1/2 hour) turned out pretty super:

I know a half hour isn't alot but I only allowed myself that much time because #1 I was planning to cook a nice meal for my brother and Dad around 8 and #2 It took about a half hour just to set up all my stuff....AND get dressed in decent work clothes.  Pjs.  Super classy.  Especially when turned inside-out.

I won't always limit my time down to so little.  I didn't get near enough done that I wanted but it will do for now.

I forgot how much work that just goes into prepping.  In contrast the painting is the easy part.

Well, I think I will kick the boys out of my kitchen and pack things up for the ride home.

By the way:  I GOT MY CAR FOR SPRING BREAK!!

It was easy enough.  I just told them I was taking it, and plus I needed the extra space for my project.

More later!

Day: 3 Done Drawing!!

I finished drawing out the rest of the painting.  The only part I had left to do was the village area.  It's a little rough but it will do. 

Now I will get started on painting tomorrow!!! Can't wait! 

Current issues:
Transportation during my Spring Break might be limited because my brother doesn't have a car and I might have to leave it here in Muncie to help him out with his job (and FIND HIS OWN CAR hopefully).  I want this canvas to be safe during travel and the back seat of my Dad's truck gets awfuly crowded.  Hopefully we can come over this issue and figure out something for the transportation of my project to Tipton.

Plus, I might be work some at my old workplace (a daycare) and so I don't want to hog the van when Mom need it for subbing at Tri-Central or Hamilton Heights. 

Note:  CALL CHRISTI!  (my boss)

I really need to bring my project to Tipton, too.

Reason #1
THIS IS AN EVERYDAY PROJECT AND EVERYDAY COUNTS!

Reason #2
I want to recieve guidance from my art teacher.  How can I recieve the best help that I can get if I don't have my picture?!

UGH! 

I want my own car.

Day 2: Getting Started

On my lunch break I went home and took my brother to school and then came back home to work on my canvas.  I was thinking I would just do one box but got a little carried and away.  I also got my hand kind of dirty.

But it's all good.  It only seemed to take maybe 15 minutes to draw out most of the base for the painting.  I think it's looking good already. Don't you?

The moon definitely could look better....right now it looks like a cookie with a bite taken out.  Oh well.  As far as additional supplies and erasers I am not worried about it.  If I make a mistakes IT'S NO BIG DEAL.  At least that's something I am trying to learn.  So far I think I'm do a fair job of working with my mistakes. 

If I run out of paint, I have the money to get more.  (THANKS MOM!!!)

I JUST called my art teacher and we are going to get-together Tuesday and Wednesday next week of my Spring Break!  Yay!!

I should have the rest of this drawn out by tomorrow....o geez-whiz-then I start painting.

Oh my goodness.  Well again, if I make a mistake there's another reason I chose acrylic; it's easy to work with and when it dries it's easy to cover-up mistakes.

Day 1....eek!

This canvas is HUGE!  It's 20 by 28 inches and it took forever to divide it into just six sections.  That's how I have been taught on starting projects when going by a picture.  I took private lessons back in my high school days and little while afterwards.  I haven't seen my art teacher for about a year.

Her name is Kendra Bayer and I am really starting to miss her.  I am thinking I may need to seek out some guidance from her or another art instructor.  I don't know why I stopped going.  I just had so many other things on my mind besides art, I suppose. 

Another reason why it may have taken a half hour to measure and divide my canvas is because all I have is a six inch ruler-a better ruler is on the list.  I am also guessing I need better propping for when I start painting-like a large easel or a chair that I will cover with an old bed sheet.  I also need to think about how much paint I might possibly need and the kind of brushes that I want to use.

JoAnn's can wait on my monetary donation for now.  My next step is to draw out the picture matching it all up to my copy.  I will do this by using approximate measuring, my boxes as guides and my only good drawing pencil.  I will need more pencils and erasers, too.  The copy is small so some tweaking may need to be done. 

There is really nothing to show right now.  Just a blank canvas with lines that you can hardly see.

Sigh....more tomorrow.
 

Immersion Project

tarting in the month of March I will be trying to recreate Van Gogh's Starry Night.  This is a very important project for me because it may help determine and answer a few personal questions about my aspirations in life.  Soon I will start and I wanted to let you know what I will be working with.

I found a giant blank canvas that my Mom purchased last year.  I have worked on canvas before with acrylic.  Working on a canvas eliminates any other mediums and the option of oils.  Oil paint would be preferable although I have never used it and I know for a fact it's pricey.  Acrylic is super cheap...if you know where to buy it.  My sources would more than likely be Muncie's Walmart.  Most brands do their job just fine.   

I meant to get a good picture of my own copy with my camera but was unable to go to my home in Tipton.  So I went onto Google and printed a color copy.  It looks fantastic.  I probably won't stick to copying Van Gogh but will make my own interpretation and exaggerate certain aspects of the painting I like most.

By the time I'm done I hope to have something to hang on my wall at my Muncie apartment to be proud of.  I will also have two copies of the painting to go home to.