One Artist's Journey

Cooper was thrilled to help me with this drawing

We didn’t get as many “Twitter Art Contest” entries as I would have liked, but I decided to do the drawing anyway. Thank you all for your love, interest and support these past 100 days.

I waited for Cooper to come home so he could do the drawing for me so it would be completely impartial. I read somewhere that even if you cut the paper and fold it, your brain can keep track of what is on each piece of paper subconsciously. Go figure.

Anyway, And he drew…… “Gorillagrr’s” entry.

I am especially excited because Gorillagrr actually bought and paid for a painting during the challenge. Can you say “Karma?”

Now she can have a matching set or at least start her “collection” of Shaun Ellsworth original paintings. One isn’t quite a collection, but I think two qualifies.

Congratulations Gorillagrr!

Michel Nolan and I having a chat at the Loose Caboose in Crestline

I just got back from an interview with Michel Nolan, an old friend and a reporter at the Sun newspaper. They are going to do a story about this 100 paintings in 100 days challenge! I am stoked. The article will come out on Friday, January 1st – New Years Day. The day after the challenge is over.

Taking a picture for the newspaper article

I have about 25 paintings to do in the next 3 days. That is 8 a day!!! I have to make it. I am interested to see what happens. Will my creativity run out or will it get pushed to the edge because of the time limit? Will I discover a new side of me as the deadline gets closer? Will I produce junk or great art? I don’t know. Let’s see…

I haven’t painted for ages, it seems. I think what happened is I painted something I didn’t like and got stuck. I couldn’t figure out how to fix it, but it was very boring, even though I really liked the photo it came from.

then Christmas preparations came and I have been soooo busy.

I finally got a big sheet of Masonite and today I got around to cutting the panes. I cut 27 11 x 14 panesl from one 4′ x 8′ sheet. I am very happy with that because I have 30 paintings left to do and 10 days to do them in. I am really going to have to hustle to get them done.

I am going to sprint to the end and I really hope I make it. I never take a challenge lightly and I mean to finish this one!

I am so sorry! It has been over a week since I wrote. I don’t know why I can’t stay on track. Maybe I am just human.

Now I need to do like 30 paintings in the next 3 weeks. Weeks leading up to Christmas. Yea, right. Like I am going to have time to do this.

But I have to. I wrote a press release and sent it to a friend at the Sun newspaper. He said they would look into doing a story of me. Cool. Don’t know when it will happen, but isn’t that what every artist wants? Coverage?

Now, however, I must get the 100 paintings done or die trying. How would that look? “Here is an artist challenging himself to paint 100 paintings in 100 days. That is interesting, so we are doing a story on him. Oh wait. He wimped out and didn’t paint 100 paintings after all.” Nope. That can’t happen.

I have about a dozen panels left. I have some canvas and can do works on paper too. Over the next few weeks I am going to need to get pretty creative. This has been a great experience for me. It has pushed me harder than I expected, but it has been fun and enlightening.

I really hope to make some exciting stuff over the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

I am having a contest where one lucky person can win a free painting. To read the rules, click here or on the “Twitter Contest” navigation link at the top of this page. All you have to do is follow me on Twitter and let me know what painting you want to win. Spread the news because there must be at least 100 Twitter followers by New Years Eve 2009.

I Will go and Do - 20" x 16" - Acrylic and graphite on Masonite - $550

I really like Aida Schneider’s abstract artwork.

You can see her art at: http://aidaschneider.com/

Her works are 98% totally abstract, but you can tell there is some type of narrative underneath it all. I tried that and created a very busy composition. Did I mention it is Very Busy?

It is OK, but I need to learn to cover up and hide and then expose an element here and there. Instead, what I did with this one was draw out the whole thing and and then fill it in like a coloring book. Not very elusive or mysterious at all. I am going to count it because I need 100 paintings, but I am going to have to work on the idea of taking a theme or story and letting it unfold the longer the viewer looks at it. I need to not give it to them in one huge chunk – all at once.

Vessels #1 - 14" x 11" - Acrylic and graphite on Masonite - $250

I love creating ceramics. However, I don’t have a kiln or the means to do ceramics right now. I plan to look into that as soon as I am finished with the 100 day challenge. In the meantime, I will content myself with painting pictures of ceramics. This is a composition of overlapping vessels and cups. It is currently on display at the Art Association Holiday Art Show.

Venice #1 - 14" x 18" - Acrylic and graphite on Masonite - $500

PAINTINGS COMPLETED TODAY: 1
PAINTINGS COMPLETED TO DATE: 50

I painted my 50th painting today! I am halfway to my goal, but it has taken 9 weeks to get here and I only have seven and a half weeks to go. I need to work hard to make up time.

I didn’t count on these larger paintings taking more time. I have knocked out 3 in a day before, but it is getting more difficult. That is probably a good part of this regimen. As I get a little more comfortable, I am having to work harder just to maintain.

Once I have disciplined myself to paint regularly, maybe I will go on a diet. Imagine that!

Would you like to win one of the paintings I do during the “100 paintings in 100 Days” challenge? Well, you can. All you need to do is tweet me the title and link of your favorite painting I have painted during the 100 day challenge and you may win that painting on New Years Day.

How to win an original painting in seven easy steps!

1) Visit http://oneartistsjourney.com/ or http://shaunellsworth.com/ (Make sure you look at the “100 paintings in 100 days” gallery on shaunellsworth.com) and pick your favorite paintings
2) Then go to http://oneartistsjourney.com/
3) Click on the “Twitter” link in the top right corner of the home page.
4) It will take you to Twitter.com. If you have an account, great. If you don’t, set one up. It is free.
5) You should land on my Twitter page for “shaunartist.” If you don’t, go to http://twitter.com/shaunartist
6) In the top left, just under my picture, is a “follow” button. Click on it.
7) Next, hit “home” and make a post under “What are you doing?” Tell us which of my paintings you like. Include a link to the page with the photo of the painting you like. Get the link by clicking on your favorite painting and then copying the address in the browser window.

It should look something like this:

I like Shaun Ellsworth’s painting “Fields.” You can see it at http://oneartistsjourney.com/2009/10/one-month-is-past/

(Remember, you have 140 characters to get your message across, so you may need to adjust what you say. Twitter will probably shorten the link part for you.)

And now you are entered to win your favorite painting! Once you “follow” me, I will “follow” you and all your tweets of all your favorite paintings will be entered in the drawing.

You can enter as many times as you want, but only one per painting title per day.

Answers to all your questions

What are you doing?
I am painting 100 paintings in 100 days. This challenge will end on New Years Eve, 2009. I would love to give away a painting to a fan to celebrate the end of the challenge.  If you are reading this, I hope you are a fan – and I hope you win a painting.

The winner of the contest will win an original painting, ready to be framed. This isn’t a print or reproduction of any kind. The winner will get the real deal. And it will be ready for you to pick out your favorite frame at Aaron Bros. or Michael’s.

Is there a Catch?
Of course there is a catch! I want to start some online buzz by having people tweet about my art. That is where you come in. You tweet about my art and tell the world about your favorite painting and that tweet counts as one entry in the contest.

But that is the ONLY catch, I am even going to pay for shipping inside the US. If you are out of the US, you will need to pay the difference between what it will cost to ship domestic and international.

What are the Rules?
In order for the contest to be valid, at least 100 people must “follow” me and post at least one “favorite painting” tweet. You can find out how many people are following me by going to my Twitter page at: http://twitter.com/shaunartist

It would benefit you to tell your friends about this contest so we make sure and reach the 100 followers number. I purposefully set the number low so I can give away a painting.

Your tweet must follow the format. “1) I like/love/adore/dream of owning, etc. 2) Shaun Ellsworth’s painting, (Painting Title). 3) Link (url) of page with the picture on it. The link should be from either from http://oneartistsjourney.com or http://shaunellsworth.com . You can just copy the link from the address bar in your browser when you are on the page of your favorite painting.

Check the websites often because I will be posting new paintings weekly. You might change your mind and want a newer painting. Tweet about the newer painting and it will become another entry for you. Then if you change your mind and an old tweet of yours wins, you can still get the latest favorite painting that you tweeted about – if it is available.

I say “If it is available” because I am constantly entering these paintings in exhibitions, trying to sell them. So if one that you want sells before the end of the contest, I am sorry, but you will need to pick another painting.

EXCITING REFERRAL BONUS
If you tell a person about this contest and that person wins, you can also win a painting. So if you have a blog and talk about this contest and someone who reads your blog wins, you can also win a painting. Because I have no way to track this, the only thing I can do is ask the winner how they heard about the contest. We will have to go by what they say to award the second painting. The REFERRER must also have entered the contest to be eligible to win the second painting.

IMPORTANT
Remember, this is a contest. ONE person WILL win. YOU might not win. If you really love a painting, don’t wait to win it. Please buy it. And then if you win, you can win another painting and have a set. Good idea, huh?

Questions
If you have any questions, please contact me by leaving a comment under this post. That way, when I answer your question, it will become part of my “Frequently Asked Questions” and perhaps will help someone else. I will also email you a personal answer if you leave your email address.

Small Print
As always, contest rules subject to change at any time.

Fields #2 - 20" x 16" - Acrylic and graphite on Masonite - $450

PAINTINGS COMPLETED TODAY: 3
PAINTINGS COMPLETED TO DATE: 46

I was busy all morning, but forced myself to get downstairs to the studio after lunch. Why is it so hard to get started? Painting is fun, but it really takes effort to get into the studio. It is kind if like exercising. I live by a lake and love to walk or jog around it, but it is super hard to get out of the house and go do it. Insane.

Anyway, I did three paintings today. An acrylic landscape, an abstract painting and a painting of teacups, an old favorite. The landscape is large (16 x 20) and the other two are small (for time’s sake).

Maori Abstract - 12" x 12" - Acrylic and graphite on Masonite - $250

I have rigged up several lights so I have enough light in the studio. I have one overhead, and then two lamps on either side of where I paint. That gives me enough light to see clearly and the lights on the sides cancel out the shadows. It is nice.