The 'Calendar Challenge': 12 monthly paintings of the same view.

[Plein Eire Administrator]

With winter approaching it gets harder to arrange successful paint-outs so here's a little challenge to do on your own and post the results to the website. We also have a number of overseas members and this is something everyone can take part in if they wish.

The idea is an adaptation of Kevin Macpherson's 'Reflections on a Pond' project in which he painted the same view on every day of the year, taking 3 years to complete his task. I'm suggesting you choose a motif near at hand - even a view from your window - to paint one painting each month, starting in November 2011. The aim would be to try and reflect the different moods of the year, so perhaps something with a bit of greenery in it would be good, but it is up to you. Of course, you can also vary the times of day etc.

Each month you upload your painting, you should save the uploaded image to a separate album within your Plein Eire  Artwork Gallery and mark that album 'Calendar Challenge' or something like that to distinguish it from your other uploaded images

To do this, Click the 'Paintings' tab, select 'My Portfolioss' and click 'Add Portfolio' which you title appropriately as you want. Title the painting uploaded by the month, so we will know this is part of your series done for this project, so the first one you post will be 'November'.

Only your 12 calendar paintings should be in that album so we can list the links to those albums here in one location and anyone interested can browse through them to see the progress of your project. If you want to do more than one view, open a separate album for each set of 12 paintings.

Remember, if you need to skip a month for any reason, just carry on regardless - its the exercise that matters. There is no prize or winner for this one - but no limit on pleasure or reward!

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Ok, here are some of the 'Calendar Girls' and boys (perhaps 12 Angry Men, The Dirty Dozen or 12 Monkeys??? ) who are up for a challenge :

Midge Ace

Norah Blount

Ann Cahill

Lynda Cookson

Donna Louise Crook

John Cullinan

Siobhan M. Dempsey

David Diaz

Sally Downey

Philip Dundon

Kevin Freeney

Alison Fox

Laura Gibney

Terence Gillespie

Norma Healy

Esther Heffernan

Lize Human

Maeve Hunter

Elaine Hurst

Margaret Kent

Rita Lett

Kevin Lewis

Greg Long

Barry Lynch

Denise Kevany

Michael Keogh

Mary McDonnell

Dee McKiernan

Jane Meyler

Deirdre Moriarty

Mary O'Carroll

Mary O'Dowd

Maura O'Halloran

Lori Putnam (Scene One)

Lori Putnam (Scene Two)

Tony Robinson

Karen Scannell

Annemieke Schenkels

Tom Scott

Svetlana Starikova

Louise Treacy

Alberto Valentini

Deirdre Walsh

Liz Walsh

 - If you want to join them, sign up by replying to this Forum and we'll add your name and put links to your Calendar Album on here. November is the first month, so be thinking of your chosen spot. As Dee McKiernan points out, it will be tough to paint something 12 times and make it interesting. On the other hand, it may free you to emphasise the mood and atmosphere, the temperature and the light as it has Kevin Macpherson. Hopefully, that will be the case but we'll enjoy the adventure of finding out and encouraging each other in this project throughout the coming 12 months. 

Any questions before we begin?

Good luck to everyone and happy painting!

 

[Mary McDonnell]

Yes will try this,have often thought of this very idea,now is my chance!

[Elaine Hurst]

Yes, we had about 2 inches!!!!  Nooooooo!!!  Really weird having the yellows on the trees, with snow.  Kind of pretty, but I want it gone!!!!

[Rita Lett]

Hi Lori

You did so well at the Art in the Open in the South East. Congrats.  Look forward to meeting you again in 2012.

It may not be sunny in Tennessee, but i'm sure it's warmer.

Happy painting

Rita Lett

Lori Putnam said:

Yeah... Tennessee isn't so sunny either.

[Lori Putnam]

-1ºC here this morning, but it warmed up to a nice, sunny 18!

 

[Midge Ace]

I'm game .. yes please add me to the list. Now to find a spot where I can sit to paint in all weathers ;-)

 

[Philip Dundon]

Have to try this one..looks really good!!!

[Lize Human]

well why not give it a try

[Denise Kevany]

Certainly will give it a go.

Denise

[Plein Eire Administrator]

Okay, now it is November, the Plein Eire 'Calendar Challenge'  - to see if you can paint the same view 12 times, once each month throughout the year in the different light and weathers of the 4 seasons - has officially begun.

At the time of writing, 36 artists have expressed interest in taking part. I think many of us will need all this help and encouragement to complete the task. After all, that is why we are in this; to help and encourage each other and to learn. It is not a race nor a competition and members may join in wherever they are.

Follow the instructions at the head of this discussion when you upload your painting each month and we'll link your challenge album to your name here so as the collection builds, progress in the project can be followed in one handy location.

Don't give up if you miss a month, just carry on when you can.

Best of luck, everyone!

 

[Margaret Kent]

I am also up for this challenge,does it matter if we change medium or is it written in stone to stay with the initial one? some days( depending on the side of bed I fall out ! ) I might be in wc mode?

[Elaine Hurst]

I have to get going on this, I am going to paint our front yard/garden,either from our front porch, or the upstairs window looking down.  When we bought this old farmhouse, 27 years ago, I would look out that window and imagine living in this house, and here we are all that time later.

[Plein Eire Administrator]

I don't suppose it matter a great deal. Some will probably follow the same format and medium throughout and others will interpret it differently each time. But I suppose it should be recognisably the same view, that's all.

Margaret Kent said:

I am also up for this challenge,does it matter if we change medium or is it written in stone to stay with the initial one? some days( depending on the side of bed I fall out ! ) I might be in wc mode?