How Long Does It Take You To Do Your Best Work?
6:42 AM
Detail from No Place Like Home
Have you ever tracked the hours it takes to create your personal best? I've been working on this paint for almost 50 hours - that's brush-or-pencil-to-paper hours! And that total doesn't include all the hours I've thought about it, struggled with it in my mind, worked out problems when I was eating lunch, driving around, taking a shower, making dinner etc. If you counted all those hours you could easily double the count!
This is probably my best work to date. The above image is not quite complete, but it gives you an idea of the detail. It's a full sheet of watercolor paper which is 30 x 22 inches. I have been quite pleased that most of this has been painted with the "get in, get it down, get out" philosophy. And even though I haven't rushed, I haven't dallied over the details either - I don't have time with that deadline looming! I have another 5 or so hours of painting today and then I'll begin the process of photographing the painting. Always a fun challenge.
I told my husband last night that I would miss this painting when it was done as it has so totally eclipsed everything else in my life. I think I'll feel a little lost without it. His advice? Start another! Okay, then, that's what I'll do.
I would love to share this with you today but that's not possible yet. Maybe by the end of the month depending on when I hear back from the competition. I hope to be back to posting on a regular basis after today as well. And I ask you again as I am curious, how many hours does it take you to create your personal best?
10 Creative Thought(s)
Oh my gosh, Laure, I think you may have hit an out-of-the-park home run with this one. Just the teaser sample you've posted is magnificent. Obviously all of the work you've done painting rust has paid off on the leather.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course when it is done you are going to feel a little lost without it. You have truly labored and given birth to this painting. But your husband has good advice.
I cannot wait until we get to see the whole thing. Good luck with the competition!!!
This looks as though it has taken over 100 hours to do, the detail is very specific, yes you will miss it, these things do take over and if you are anything like me, you become obsessed because you like it and you want to make it perfect, follow your husband's advice, start another and it will be even better.
ReplyDeleteWOWZERS! it already looks fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh this is so exciting! I can't imagine being able to focus on one thing for that long! But perhaps you will inspire me. I can't wait to see the final result. Thanks for sharing and GOOD LUCK!!!!
ReplyDeleteWOW OH WOWEE!!!!
ReplyDeleteFabulous job, Laure. The details and color are awesome. Are you going to post a pic of the entire painting?
Laure, it looks great! I though it was a photograph at first then I realised it was even better.
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely - it looks EXACTLY like old, worn leather. Beautiful job!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone! I so hope the judge at this next show thinks as much of it as all of you do! Too bad you're not the judge!
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing--love the textures of that old leather and the silky, colorful scarf. Wow! Laure, excellent!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely SPEC.TA.CU.LAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLet's talk!