Today I’ll post without video, because my assistant is on vacation and I’m not yet savvy on how the whole video uploading thing works. It’s enough that I can even do rough editing and then send it to her.
So for now, you get a few pictures. Enjoy!
Progress report:
I’ve been painting my ass off. Happily. Now, if this were also serious calorie-burning activity, that would be the icing on the cake, wouldn’t it? Wait. That’s a really bad way to put it.
Anyway….here’s a look at the paintings in progress.
Paintings complete: 98
Paintings in progress: 81
Paintings to go: 910
Plan is to complete 200 paintings by Dec. 31. Am on track to do that.
I’ve set a deadline to complete 1008 by May 1st, so that’s about 200 per month.
Challenges:
I find it difficult to stop painting when I’m on a roll to photograph the work — the individual pieces. So that’s why I haven’t posted any new paintings yet beyond the first two.
I’m trying to figure out the best kind of database system to use to track each piece. I used to design software user interfaces (a long, long time ago…before the Internet) and it’s been 12 years or so since I’ve looked at database software. I’m sure there’s a great solution, so please feel free to post ideas in the comments. For now, it’s going to happen in a good ol’ spreadsheet.
Staying up-to-date with the updates. It’s challenging for me to blog about what I’m doing…it feels like an interruption of my work flow. Plus, there’s the shy, introversion thing I struggle with. How do you artist bloggers manage this balance? It’s a good challenge for me. Because of how bad I feel I am at it. But it’s a place I want to grow, so here I am. Learning by doing.
The stairs up to my studio. A journey of 1008 paintings starts with this little walk several times per day.
Blessings
I have an awesome studio space to work in here in Puerto Vallarta. Believe it or not, I’ve been here just over 2 weeks and have not even gone to the beach. Or anywhere…. just happily working.
There is another artist in residence here with me at Hacienda Mosaico, the French-Canadian painter Yvon Genest. He’s been making his living as a painter for 25 years, with galleries in Paris, New York, Puerto Vallarta, Montreal and elsewhere.
He has kindly offered to share his insights with my workshop participants at a special dinner session on January 15th. And…he’s hooking me up with a curator in Montreal he thinks is a good match for my 1008 Paintings Installation project. We cooked spaghetti on Christmas Eve and went out for pizza on Christmas. We’re both kind of sick of tacos at the moment.
Related posts:
Howdy! I’m Lisa Sonora Beam, author of The Creative Entrepreneur. I teach people how to get unstuck and use their creativity to make a living doing what they love. 
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Loved seeing these pics, Lisa! Way to go!! Such beauty! Happy new year to you!
Lisa, happy season and happy 2010. I am fully enjoying your missives.
You wondered how artist-bloggers manage to blog and create, uninterrupted. During my first “blog” (live radio news) I formed the notes for narrative while I edited audio. When I moved across country recently, I managed flying thoughts by tying an old reporters notebook to my waist, open to a blank page. I could make notes on the spot and not have to look for paper. Even a single word helps. If you tweet, you can capture fleeting insights.
BTW, got a giggle at the lovely photo of your feet at top of your steps. I, too, have a feet series. In this context, your inspired the thought that it might be a good icon for “next steps,” “next leaps” … other metaphors.
As I launch two blogs and formulate my business concept, I read your blog, utilize your online materials and your book. Many thanks. You are creative, strong and supply a tremendous service to the creative community. Carry on in joy. To paraphrase Caroline Casey, if you put up your sails, we will supply the wind.
You’re making FABULOUS progress!! Love all the pics, my favorite is the stairs picture, very very cool
your work is so cool. Will look for more updates. please keep’em posted. thanks
@anand Thanks so much for stopping by and letting me know. It’s nice to know there are folks out there who are interested in the updates.
@Donna Great idea for taking notes on the fly. And for tweeting tiny progress reports. I hadn’t thought of that…and I love Twitter!
Do post a link to your feet series, if those are live. Would love to check it out!
So glad you are finding my book and the resources here helpful. It means a lot to hear…feedback and connecting with kindred spirits is really the ultimate gift of doing this work. And I am grateful!
I adore this picture of you with all your paintings in progress!
Lisa–
Since reading your book about a year ago, you have become a favorite creative role model and I am l.o.v.i.n.g the updates from Puerto Vallarta. Your tales from the road are serving as a lovely element in my own
new year/end- of-year reflective practice. So for that, I’m writing to say, simply, THANKS…wishing a joyful and prosperous 2010 to you!
@Kira Wow! Thanks so much! Glad you are enjoying the posts from Puerto Vallarta, and that The Creative Entrepreneur is serving you well. Happy New Year to you, too!
Lisa, I agree that sharing and connecting with creative work is its own reward. Thanks for interest about feet series. Here’s a tiny url although I understand the site has been slow loading lately: http://tinyurl.com/y95kk6d
Happy New Year!
i am bewitched by your rows of mini canvases! they are gorgeous! last week i cut a huge stack of 6×6 watercolor pieces, and i’ve already named them “little sixes” even though they are all still blank. after seeing your pieces in progress i’m aching to tackle them. i have two sets of little hands constantly in my art materials at the moment, so i may just have to give up on waiting for an hour alone to do it, and put those little hands to work on the little sixes alongside me.
as for balancing the blogging and the creating? well, the blog will always wait until the moment is right, but ideas are fleeting and need immediate attention. so i’d say if you are in the creative groove, keep on grooving – plus there’s nothing more delicious than getting lost in that world of introversion.
Hi Lisa,
I just discovered your book & website…I love them! I am so excited about working on my visual journal. You have really managed to combine the creative and business side together in a wonderful way!
I am so excited about your work I just included your information on my blog today.
Thanks for your inspiration. I am excited to keep reading your book & blog, and even more excited to see what comes from creating my own visual journal. I will keep you posted of my progress.
With warm regards,
Stacie
@Stacie So glad you are finding inspiration here — please to check in about your progress, and feel free to include a link to your blog or flickr account if you want to share photos of your visual journal.
Hey girl!! Just wanted you to know you’re never far from my thoughts. I wanted to drop in and send very special wishes to you for the New Year. 2010 is going to totally ROCK!! Happy New Year, Lisa! xoxo
so sorry about your foot but love that you see it as an opportunity.