Caught Up!
Alternative Career to Painter: Nightcrawler Harvester 2026. Oil on paper, 18 x 24"
Finally caught up, I think. Several might be missing. Best not to investigate. Now I should be able to stay on track. 3-5 paintings a day... I’ll be able to manage a more thoughtful post every couple days while displaying my progress. I told @jompiy on our Thursday Black Ivory podcast that I want to improve my painting speed, so that all my actual painting work is complete by noon each day. Then I’ll be able to work on the dreaded “business” of art after lunch. I need to make Free Art Frees Art financially successful in order to survive giving away my art while I’m alive. I’ll set aside free work and price some work for my website, eBay and Etsy. As much as I am pained by the selling process, I know it’s necessary. Wish me luck this new year!
Boomers, X, Y's, and Many Zees Keep Buying Cars 2026. Oil on paper, 18 x 24"
Say What You Want About This Old Horse, But Noone's Gonna Whip My Scrawny Artist Butt When the Vegetables Are Gone 2026. Oil on paper, 18 x 24"
Finger Painting Wildfire Sky and Choking Elderflowers 2026. Oil on paper, 18 x 24"
My town is getting smoke from Canadian wildfires. Two days indoors looking at the apocalyptic yellow sky. Better today, but outside smells like a campfire.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense Synthesizing Testosterone For His Warriors 2026. Oil on paper, 18 x 24"
Fast Painting, Subliminal Fowl 2026. Oil on paper, 18 x 24"
Curious Bird 2026. Oil on paper, 18 x 24"
Persian Girl Screaming in Road While U.S. Bombs Water Treatment Plant Next Door to Pediatric Cancer Hospital 2026. Oil on paper, 18 x 24"
As for painting faster, I’m in the same boat as you. I could have gone a bit quicker, but even when the best ideas strike, actually getting on with it makes a world of difference. Instead of starting to paint straight away, it’s often an evening project now, which isn’t so bad because there’s more light, but then I do end up feeling tired after a day of working, rushing about and running up and down.
I’ve cancelled all my painting lessons outside the home for the coming week, but I’ll see if I can do some preparatory work whilst out and about and at work.
I think your style of painting lends itself perfectly to painting several sheets of paper in a row or one below the other. This might well be the best option. I did it once with cats. You could then complete these in a day, sell them, and, if there’s time left over, do the basic sketches for the next day’s paintings, and perhaps touch up a few bits here and there the following day.
In that respect, creativity knows no bounds.
I hope it doesn’t cause you any stress.
Have lots of fun, and good luck with the sale.