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created by: Upsydaisie I need help in finding ways to get motivated to paint. I lose my confidence on a bad painting and don't feel any urgency to repeat the mistake. What would you suggest I do?
Upsy
I recently broke both my arms and have not seriously painted in a while and part of the reason I joined this site is I have lost some of my confidence. For me, I have to work through it. Just keep painting until it comes out how I want. That's a bit difficult with watercolor but the other mediums are pretty forgiving, so I'll start with an acrylic. I put it on my calendar, a week ago, to paint tomorrow. I'll do it! How bout you? We'll both get our confidence back.
Artfulsoul
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Upsydaisie,
I painted today. It wasn't spectacular but I put in a fair amount of time. It is a painting where I am teaching myself as I go along, and I made a fair amount of mistakes but they did not bother me. Thank God it's acrylic!
Your idea to pick one and finish it in 30 days is awesome. The only time I usually give myself that type of goal is when there is a deadline for a show. There are more canvases around here that are almost finished. I like them so much I am trying to warm up and get my confidence going again. It will come.
By the way I am having a really hard time working the group sites. If it wasn't for my e-mail I would not have found your messages. Can you help me by telling me how to get around in the group situation?
It is so nice to have you as a partner in this and it is great you are painting, too!
Take care - Artfulsoul
Artfulsoul, I'm so happy for you to have made that step with acrylics. I' working in acrylic also , I'm not as experienced as I would like to be, but getting there. I would like to post a painting somewhere on my site and I'm not sure how to do that either. I'm afraid I'm not much help because I don't know how you found me, because I couldn't get my challenge to post, but I must be out there somewhere! Somehow, we must have done something right!
Have a Creative Day!
Upsydaisie
The fortunate thing about painting is that occassionally one has a deadline. Can you set a deadline for your painting? I'm halfway through a painting this week, but I need to have it by the 5th of December. Can you give yourself 30 days to complete a painting, or I can start another so we have a fair and square start date. I found Christmas cards work to get me going because they are smaller. My 8x10 pieces I put in frames to give as gifts. I wanted to give you a hug for your caring and for getting both of us started. Take your time as it's o.k. to have a little bit of a challenge, but it will come back to you like riding on a bike. The right brain never forgets.
My favorite is to "love my ugly children."
Sometimes the Artists' Way seems so time consuming. I have been buying lots of little gifts for myself lately by way of clearance.com and amazon.com (can these be artist dates?) for books to give me more ideas and techniques. I am thinking about painting a Mary Cassatt painting to regain some confidence as she is my favorite American painter. I once copied a painting of hers and did well enough that I gained some confidence. Also, I have noted that painters like Georgia O'Keefe had lapses between paintings, so as to be forgiving to myself. I promise to get the book out of the drawer (The Artist's Way; Cameron). I really dislike that feeling of deadness when I begin to paint, no emotion, but I will take your advice and paint regardless and the passion may just show up.
Thanks again,
Upsy
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Upsy,
I run into that all the time. I use to find it annoying and demotivating. I have a few suggestions for you.
1) There is no bad painting. Whether it is good or bad is your perception of it. You created something from nothing therefore it must have value. As a friend told me, "love your ugly children."
2) I have a set schedule when I paint. Rain or shine, nothing gets in the way, including myself. I paint whether I'm motivated or not. Usually, once I get going, I find my groove.
3) I also suggest you read "The Artist Way". I found it very helpful in pushing forward creatively.
I hope this helps. Please keep me posted. Do you have a website with your work on it? I would like to see it.
Take care and good painting,
Dan
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