DAY TWENTY-FOUR

The hardest part of a creative practice like this one can be showing up day after day, especially if you, like me, have pushed yourself beyond what you’d normally do. Sue commented on this yesterday on Patreon, asking me if I’d have stopped by now if not for this project, and the answer is a RESOUNDING YES. 

But, as I’ve been watching her emerge, she’s starting to whisper things to me about what she wants, so rather than feeling like this is a slog to the finish, I’m feeling excited and motivated to meet her each day and do whatever those whispers are telling me to do. 

Today I had a burning idea to create that little galaxy in the area between her face and hair. I used my old faithful technique of layering metallic watercolour paint (Fine Tec) over black gesso, and because I knew YESTERDAY that this was what I wanted to do TODAY, I was able to get into a flow state with things really easily. 

Having a planned “next move” is something I learned as a writer way back in the day. I can’t remember which instructor I picked it up from, but some author on the subject of writing suggested leaving your writing session for the day with SOME idea of what you’re going to do in the next session.

Because I’m usually banging out paintings all lickety-split like, having a motivating nudge for the next session isn’t really necessary, but for this project, it’s really helpful. It means I’m flying into the studio in the morning with a plan.

I’m going to adopt this for any future long form painting projects. Once I’m done the session, I’m going to make a note of what MIGHT want to happen next and let that nudge me toward the studio for the next session. Even if that note gets ignored or the plan doesn’t feel quite right, the motivation to keep going is going to be there.

Not knowing what’s next can be its own kind of motivation, but MOST of the time, in me at least, not knowing can cause resistance. Having some idea makes meeting the painting in the next session less like going to a job interview where you have no idea what you’ll be asked or if your answers will be good enough to get you the job and a lot more like meeting up with a friend for brunch. I don’t know about you, but I’m always going to prefer the latter vibe over the former. *Giggles*

I finished the day by grounding the work, glazing over the gold leaves with Pitt Pens (Permanent Olive/Dark Sepia). But the real work was mental: setting the hook for my future self. That line of leaves along her garment is reminding me of a spinal column, but the question is whose spinal column might it be? 

I’m excited to find out!

How about you? Do you end your session with some idea of what you want to do next? Are you willing to try it? Try asking yourself these questions either after your session or immediately before the next one.

• What is the next exciting thing I want to try?
• What is the most immediate, compelling impulse I have for the upcoming session?
• What about this painting is making me feel eager to come back to it?

Make a note and see if that creates a little bit of anticipation, and see if that anticipation nudges you forward.

See you tomorrow.

Xo
Effy

P.S. Folks who are in my classes over on Into The Wild (my teaching network) or Patreon are getting video content every day throughout the course of this challenge. Folks who are subscribed to my YouTube channel will be getting video updates weekly or so. There may be stuff going up on TikTok. There will definitely be posts going up on Instagram.

Of course, this spot right here will ALSO serve as my studio diary, so I hope you’ll bookmark the site, and hey! EVEN BETTER! I hope you’ll sign up for the e-list, which I’ll use to let you know when a new post goes live. If you want the project PDF, here you go!