One Artist's Journey

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 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.

Spent the morning getting all my new paintings posted to my fine art blog. Can I just share the steps it takes to get a photo online?

1) Create the art

2) Take a picture of it

3) Download the photo from the camera to my wife’s computer. there are invariably family pictures on the camera and she is keeping track of them on her machine.

4) Choose the best photos (straightest, best color, etc.) and put them on a thumb drive.

5) Transfer the photos to my computer.

6) Open the photos in Photoshop, crop the photo and make sure it is straight. Then optimize the color and contrast and change the size and export for the web.

7) Make sure the images go into the right folder. Drag the optimized photos into iPhoto

8)Drag the photos from iPhoto into iWEb where I have created my galleries for http:/www.shaunellsworth.com.

9) Import the photos into Wordpress (where I have my blog at http://www.oneartistsjourney.com) and then import the image into a blog post.

10) Double check everything. Make sure I didn’t forget or leave one out. Whew… done.

Now I am done. Time for lunch and then down to the studio for some “fun and natural” painting before the boys get home. And no, I don’t paint in the nude.

Dwellings #5 - 12” x 16” Acrylic on Masonite - $200

PAINTINGS COMPLETED TODAY: 5
PAINTINGS COMPLETED TO DATE: 23

Worked on the Fine Art Pics today and did a few I really liked. I completed another “dwelling” piece. This one I zoomed in a little more on my source photograph and the buildings ended up a little bigger. I like that. I need enough space to freely move my brush in, so the bigger buildings helps. A bigger canvas would probably help too.

I am going to write my thoughts for the day and then give a little explanation about each piece in a separate post, so I can have an image with it. Multiple images per post gets a little awkward. This will give readers a little more insight into my mind (a scary thought) but on the other hand, it might help – and be entertaining for you!

Abstract #7 - 12” x 16” Acrylic on Masonite - $200

PAINTINGS COMPLETED TODAY: 2
PAINTINGS COMPLETED TO DATE: 18

First let me say that my art paintings for sale include everything you see on this site. If you see something you like, you can email me at shaun[at]oneartistsjourney [dot]com. I would be very happy to hear from you.

I worked on two abstract paintings today. I had absolutely no time but with my new-found determination to get into the studio every single day, I made some time and painted two paintings.

Abstract #8 - 16” x 12” Acrylic on Masonite - $200

I have been thinking about getting a star rating system for the site, then you can vote on pictures you like. That is good so I know what people like. It is also good because artists need validation. What do you think? PLease comment below and let me know if you would like to vote on my pictures. Thanks!

The two abstract paintings I did today were fun to do. I am trying to make up 10 years of lost time and get back the style I used in college. I understand things have changed; I have more experience, etc. But I really liked the art I created in College so that is my first goal. To get lose and instinctual like I was then. My wife said the two I did today reminded her of my work back then. Maybe I am on the right track.

I found a blog of a draftsperson. I really like her stuff, especially her koi and garden drawings. She uses really bright colors in her (pastel?) drawings. http://alethakuschan.wordpress.com