Behind the Scenes: 30 paintings in 30 days

Who is your favorite Pop Culture Icon?

​Twice a year Artist Leslie Saeta challenges artist all across the globe to paint for thirty days straight and post their progress each day. Leslie herself is and accomplished abstract artist as well as one of the hosts for Artist helping Artists, a fantastic podcast on blog talk radio. https://www.saetastudio.com/ 

This will be the third time I've participated in this event. The first was last January, then in September, and the next starting in less than a week!
As I prepare for the whirlwind of paint flying and canvas slinging I wanted to let you in on some of the behind the scenes of what I do to get ready.

First: I pick my subject and medium. The first time participated I decided on doing landscapes from Mississippi in watercolor and pastel, this past September I painted portraits of Pop Culture Icons in acrylic. The Icons went over so well, and I had such a good time doing them that I will be continuing them this go round.

​Second: I set up my space and take inventory. there's nothing worse than running out of something when you are right in the middle of a great moment. If you're anything like me You will say you will get it later and it ends up halting your entire progress. So I try to have everything set and ready to go when I need it.

Third: I mentally prepare for what it takes to sit and paint everyday, especially if I am going to try and complete a piece everyday. I get into the mindset of "I can do this" instead of "this is hard". I also try and gather all the research materials I will need. For instance with the last set of Icons I watched their biographies and studied their lives to become more connected with each portrait I was painting. It made it more special to me to understand the lives of the people I was portraying in paint.

Fourth: last but not least..... Relax. It's not that serious. The goal is to paint everyday, not to have a masterpiece everyday. The first time I tryed I only finished ten pieces for the entire 30 days. The second time I finished 21. If I miss a day so what. Just as long as I don't give up.

I hope this gives you a little glimps into the behind the scenes of going into the 30 in 30 challenge. 
I'll have more updates with the progress in January!

Until next time, Live creative!
-Derek

​www.DerekCovingtonSmith.com