1/26/10

20 MINUTES AT A TIME

Pop on over to Kathy Cartwright's challenge blog to see that artists can actually paint a picture in just 20 minutes. We must set our timer for exactly 20 minutes, then begin on clean, untouched paper. It's ok to draw the pix as long as that's included in the 20 minutes allowance.

Several of my weekly classes have taken up Kathy's challenge. Comments from the artists - it is difficult to fit an extra 20 minutes into a day's activities.... but once the painting is started, it's a wonderful break from life.....finding something interesting to paint can be challenging, at least at first.

Twenty minutes of just being creative. There's no pressure that the finished (or not finished) painting or drawing will ever be hung on a wall. Accuracy is great but not required.

Some of the benefits include making time for doing something that you love to do as well as honing your observation skills. Things must be simplified into basic shapes to get a small painting down in just 20 minutes. Kathy says that this exercise will help you also see your own style and identify your own idiosyncrasies. Try it! I dare you.

These are my five paintings done over the past week, all 5x7", painted with a one inch flat brush, and most were completed in a little under 20 minutes. Some were sketched in first. The bell did ding before the paint bottles below were done, though, so they are not finished. Here's the link to Kathy's challenge blog - http://www.twentyminutechallenge.blogspot.com/

The ipod has a pure white, unpainted background that looks blue here. The hyacinth was painted because Rhonda Carpenter dared me to. And today's her birthday:-)

The fluid acrylic paints had just arrived and were the toughest to paint for some reason. My favorites to paint were the sunglasses and the electrical plugs, and I think that shows in those two paintings. Have fun painting.

19 comments:

Jeanette Jobson said...

I think this is a great idea. Fitting in a little dedicated time can be done at any part of the day with any subject matter.

Great little pieces here. I especially love the sunglasses and reflections.

RH Carpenter said...

I love all of these, Sandy, but especially the rose colored glasses - I sure could use a pair of those myself! ha ha You did such a great job on them and the electric plugs, you can see the fun in them. TTYL, my friend.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

These are great. I agree with RH. I like the glasses very much.

Do you think you are getting faster at the whole process, just with practice, and able to include more detail?

Dawn said...

my favorite is that plug! fantastic Sandy

Chris Beck said...

The spontaneity in the glasses and the plugs is wonderful. The glasses particularly have a sense of controlled freedom that makes them very appealing.

Leslie Saeta said...

Wow. Twenty minutes! And the glasses are my favorite. Simply amazing! And I thought I was fast finishing a 6x6 oil in an hour. I am not even close!

Julie Dunion said...

Loving the glasses and plug too. I've just been reading about a gallery owner who said he would rather pay for twenty seconds of inspiration than 20 hours of drudgery. These look like a full 20 minutes of inspiration to me!

hw (hallie) farber said...

Really good work--love the sunglasses. I was impressed with your students' works on the 20-minute challenge, too.

Christiane Kingsley said...

They are all great...and would be even if they had taken you 5 times longer. My favorite is the plug with its gorgeous shadows full of interesting colors.

Amanda Re said...

Sandy!
I finished four of these 20 minute water colors last night and I even went under the time limit! I think it was around 16 minutes for each! I wanted to nip that new over-working habit in the bud! I just wanted to post because I am so excited to show them to you on Tuesday I can hardly wait, this was such great practice.
Have a lovely weekend! I adore your sunglass painting, and of course the mini ipod ;)
Amanda Re

laura said...

These are all just great Sandy. I love the plug especially, and the enigmatic line in the sunglasses painting. On the TMP you wrote that the acrylics bottles weren't "done"--but I'd say they are just right as is!
I've been away from painting for a time, and though I think of doing it, never DO. Twenty-minute paintings seem like a good way back ...

Cynthia said...

Wonderful 20 min pieces.....gorgeous! I especially like the red glasses.

Sandy Maudlin said...

Thannks so much for your interest and comments, everyone. If you haven't joined Amanda, Rhonda, and me yet doing these 20 minute skethces, pick up the brush - or pencil - and just DO IT! It's very rewarding and non threatening;-)

sue said...

Oh, I'm loving these--all of 'em! Fabulous. Same here--love those glasses, and the electric plug--great subjects!

Nick said...

yep, those two are killer! nice to see the shots of your studio, too, brings back nice memories

Sandy Maudlin said...

Ahhh, Sue, I'm with you on your ice escape journey. Enjoy your blog a lot too.
NICK! You'll be here in a few short months and we are so looking forward to the workshop!

Margaret Ann said...

I am so "smitten" with those glasses...they are spectacular...No pun intended...:) I think I am going to give this a go also! :)

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

I've done the timer exercise and it takes all the procrastination out of the process, doesn't it?
These are fabulous. I love the rose colored glasses :D

Sandy said...

I love all of these too! I especially like the sunglasses! Each of poses a sensible time limit and a great challenge....and what fun!