If you are not sure you want to join the September 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge or you are confused as to how it works then you might want to listen to this week's Artists Helping Artists show. My co-host Dottie Leatherwood and I will be sharing 15 tips about why you should join us and also reviewing exactly how the challenge works. Dottie has participated in all of the previous challenges!

​You can listen to the show here. We recorded the show live at 8:00am EST Thursday morning but since all of the shows are recorded and archived you can listen anytime!

I have got some very exciting marketing plans and they are all going to include more visibility in my studio. I was in the Carriage House last week and I realized it's not looking quite how I want it to look. I want my studio to be cozy and a haven for creating my art. I want it to be a place that I love and never want to leave. Sadly it isn't looking like that. In fact, it's not even close.

So it is time for an overhaul.

I need to take a step back and examine everything in my studio. It's scary because I cannot believe how much stuff is in there that doesn't need to be! It's as if my studio has become the "home for all things that are art related and many things that have nothing to do with art". And it's all going to change.

So here is what I am going to do. First off, draw out a plan for what and where all of my tasks in the studio are going to happen. Secondly, determine where everything needs to be stored. Third, decide what I need to do to make my studio my haven. Fourth, actually do the cleaning, overhaul and organizing. And fifth, make sure all of this is completed before my workshop starts on July 25th.

Many of you have asked "Why is my studio called The Carriage House?". I didn't make up the name. It's a real carriage house. When it was built 101 years ago it was created so that the horse and buggy (aka Carriage) could pull in the front, drop off the carriage, and the horses left out the back. I did not make it up, I promise!

Oh my. It's going to be a busy week next week. Does anybody want to join me and reorganize your studio too?

The Challenge starts in 50 days so now is a great time to organize your supplies.

Of course first you need to decide what (and what medium, size, etc.) you are painting. This is a great time to try something new. I am considering painting half abstracts and half oils but I am just not sure. But I need to decide by the end of next week to get my supplies in order.

Next you need to check your current inventory. Try to use what you already have! Be flexible so you don't have to buy a lot of new stuff. This challenge should not require a big financial commitment on your part.

Once decided, then it's time to get any supplies you still need ordered. Be smart and shop on line. Check the sales at Michael's and your local art store. And order everything you need now which includes canvases, paint, mediums, brushes, etc. If you order early enough so you can get free shipping!

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So you signed up for the 30 in 30 Challenge. Congrats! And there are 51 days left until the first day of the Challenge. So what do you need to do to get ready?
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First, take a look at your calendar and review what the month of September looks like. Be realistic and determine how many days you won't be able to paint. I just did that and it's bad news. I am out of town 14 days! Holy smokes. So what do I do? It's simple. I just need to paint for two weeks in August to make up for the time I won't be able to paint in September. And if you are thinking "that's cheating!" then you are wrong. It's called getting organized and planning ahead! Remember there are no rules in this challenge except to have fun.

You might want to paint the last few days in August anyway and have a few extra paintings for those days when something comes up. Trust me, it will happen. And I did not enjoy those days when I was painting after 11:00pm and then rushing to get my blog post up by midnight. That was not fun.

Of course you don't need to paint all 30 paintings. All you need to do is try. I don't have a choice as I have to have a painting for my 30 blog posts. And I am fine with that.

The second thing you need to do is consider a theme for your 30 days of painting. It makes the month so much easier when you are focused and are painting within a theme. Two of my favorite themes I have used for past challenges are "My Favorite Things" and "Thirty Things You Didn't Know About Me". I am going to use a theme this month. I am just not sure which one to pick as I have lots of ideas!

More tips tomorrow, I promise.

Sometimes you just need to trust me and take my word for it.

See the paintings featured above? All of these were created during my first seven 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenges. Yes, 210 paintings. Holy smokes. I cannot even image how many of these wouldn't even exist had I not done the challenges. Maybe 150??? That is scary. 

If you want to paint more, then join me. If you want to rid yourself of bad habits and procrastination issues, then join me. If you want to try something new, then join me. 

​For more information, visit the 30 in 30 site.

It's pretty simple. And pretty important. Just do it.

If you heard today's show then you probably heard my plea for new show ideas for the Artists Helping Artist radio program! In fact, I am desperate. (I have already started the dreams that have me live on the show with absolutely nothing to talk about!) My list of show ideas is pretty thin and I need your help. I know there must be something you would like us to talk about! Or something you would like to learn! All you need to do is click this link and add as many show ideas as possible. I would so appreciate it! (It's very hard writing the show notes if you don't have a topic. Trust me, it is pretty impossible.)

The AHA show is for all of you so this is your chance to let me know what you would like us to talk about. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

You can also indicate your interest to be a guest host on the show at the same link!

Thanks,
Leslie

This blog is all about the everyday life of a working artist. And that artist is me.

Thus it seems appropriate that I share with you the topic for Thursday's Artists Helping Artists Show. It's called  “How to Find the Perfect Balance Between Life and Being an Artist”. Hmmm. That topic probably applies to all of us! It airs on Thursday, July 7, at 9:00 am PST, 12:00 noon EST.  But all shows are recorded and archived so you can listen anytime!
And it's all about successfully balancing a full-time job as an artist and raising a family. It's is all about being organized and various forms of sacrifice. Today's show addresses how we can all find the perfect balance between a good life and being an artist. It's not easy, but listen in to find out how it can be done!

Click here to listen to this show.
Let me know what you think of the show.
 

I know. I am crazy. But I am doing the 30 in 30 Challenge again! During the entire month of September I invite you to join me to paint thirty paintings in thirty days. It's fun and challenging. And it will change your life. 

I know what you are thinking ... "I can't join as I wont be able to complete all 30!" or "I am traveling in September so I can't do it" or "I am not motivated to paint so why would I join?".

It doesn't matter how many paintings you finish in September. All that matters is that you paint. It a;so doesn't matter if you paint some paintings early in August to make up for a trip you are taking in September. And trust me, this challenge will get you painting again. I promise.

So sign up for the challenge and you will appear on the 30 in 30 map listed below. To sign up go to the 30 in 30 page on this website. Click on "30 in 30" to sign up and find out everything you need to know about the Challenge. Click on the subheading "30 in 30 blog" to see where you will upload your paintings every day during the month of September.

And please remember there is only one rule for the 30 in 30 Challenge. And that is to have fun.

This is another demo I painted in my abstract workshop last week. I loved painting it and I love how well all of the paintings came out in the class! We were working on building layers of color, creating a focal point and adding lighter colors to a painting. The focal point in this painting is the bright orange in the bottom right. Hopefully that was pretty obvious to you!

​And here it is in a room setting ... enjoy!
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My four day palette knife abstract workshop has come to a close and it's really quiet here in Ventura! All my students have left the beach house and I am waiting for my husband to arrive for a fun Fourth of July celebration.

This week's workshop was so much more than just a painting workshop. The seven of us painted, laughed, bonded, shared our secrets, had fabulous meals, painted, laughed, drank a bit of wine (and vodka), hunted for sea glass, painted, laughed and told lots of great stories. It was simply amazing.  

​The painting shown above was my demo from yesterday. It's 36" x 36" and I love it! It's also available for sale.