Marsh Side
oil on canvas
6 x 8 inches
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky
Here is painting #34 of my 100 painting project. It is a view from the marsh side of Edisto Island, South Carolina, that I found when we were staying there last fall. Although our rental cottage was on the ocean side, a short walk down a pleasant side street soon opened up to a wide expanse of marsh. I collected a lot of reference material there, as you can well imagine.
By now you are probably wondering just how am I ever going to complete 100 small paintings this year, when you have only yet seen 34 of them. I know. I have been wondering the same thing myself. Here it is July, the half way mark of the year, and I have been taking stock of my project and goals at this mid point. First of all, even though I have only posted 34 paintings to date, I am actually working on painting #50 today. The delay in posting is mostly due to allowing the paintings to dry (which I have found in this summer heat takes longer!) but also I simply haven't been posting as frequently lately.
So where does this project stand with me now? Well, don't worry, I do intend to continue making these paintings until I reach 100. I knew at the outset that it may well take me more than one year, but that was my goal to shoot for and I am still going for that, even though it's less than likely. One reason is that I intend to see this through is that I have found this project to be very worth doing. The practice of painting regularly, especially after so many years of not painting at all, has benefited me greatly. I already feel much more confident pushing paint around, even more so than ever before, way back when. Another reason is that I have plans for taking this project further, to the next level or logical step, so a sense of completion feels necessary.
Another view that I have considered, however, is that with a project such as this, the journey is really the point, more so than then outcome. This is the same perspective I take with planning my daughter's homeschool studies. Although the ultimate goal is to get from point a to point b, it really doesn't do much good to breeze through the lessons just to be able to check items off the list as "done". It's what she takes away from the lessons that counts. And what I am taking away from this 100 painting project to date is that although it isn't easy keeping this kind of commitment to myself, the rewards will be so worth while for what I will gain in knowledge of painting in the end. So thanks for following along this far. I do appreciate everyone's support and I will try to post my progress with a bit more regularity!
13 comments:
Wonderful marsh painting... I'm also doing a 100 landscape painting thing... but I don't think we have to be done by the end of the year EEK.. since I'm only on #5.
Yet another gorgeous piece Ann. Like always, you never fail to impress ^^
Thank you so much for your comments. They mean a lot to me =)evo
That is a lovely work again Ann! When you keep your goal high, you expect the highest out of yourself and do your best! The goal is important and the journey too.. by the end of it, you will be surprised how much you have evolved as a painter and a person.. the final outcome will be obviously great I would say :-)
I agree it's the journey that is important, it's not so much where you're going as to how you get there that counts.
I find that my paintings dry quicker in the summer, is it humid where you are?
My first thought was that this reminds me of some of the farm fields around here. In many places, there has been standing water in the fields (I noticed yesterday that it is finally dried up, but no crop in spots that had the water; they were just killed by the standing water!)...The ridiculously uncomfortable heat and humidity that has been so prevalent of late, however, has me longing for the indoors, though. I never was a summer person and it is rare to hear me complain of winter. 'Course, don't know where I'm going with these thoughts...LOLOL Anyway, Ann, I think this painting is so pretty. I love hearing that this project is pushing you and building your confidence.
I deeply admire what you're doing. Not only are you painting regularly, but you're painting with awareness and obviously processing a lot of worthwhile information. Go ahead and give yourself some extra time to finish.... nobody's holding a stopwatch on you!
I am so impressed with your work in the project that I think I may give it a go next year. I do have those water soluble oils just sitting around, collecting dust!
I love the range of colours you have in this piece. And yes, it is about the journey...take the time you need and heck aren't most bloggers on holidays these days anyway? :-)
This is a beautiful painting. Love it. Your works prove your point.
Yes, it's a lovely painting. The rich colors and textures are really wonderful. Good for you for continuing with your project and moving toward your goal! nancy
Love the colors! I feel the same way you do - rather than churning out 2-3 paintings a week just for the sake of painting it all in a year, I'd rather savor the journey and really get the full effect of it. I'm learning so much about myself and acquiring new skills along the way, as I'm sure you must be feeling too. This painting is really, really stunning, Ann!
Thanks all for your wonderfully encouraging comments!
Ann- I so enjoyed reading about your journey through this process. It is a worthwhile goal and I agree the journey is the important part. Your paintings are gorgeous and this latest is no exception.
I especially love the variety of color and expressive nature of your paint strokes. You are a natural at composition- it just works. Wonderful!
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