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Thirty in Thirty is an annual January tradition in my studio, which began in 2011 as a self challenge. The idea is to devote thirty straight days to painting, and to post a new piece of work on this site, each day of the month. The final day of January is spent evaluating the process and the work itself.

Working for thirty straight days is challenging, to say the least. Trying to balance the demands of successful studio life with a happy and rewarding personal life is always a wobbly juggling act, and during “Thirty in Thirty” the juggling act starts to feel a bit like a three ring circus! I’m so grateful for the encouragement and support I receive from friends, fans and the people I love. Thank you everyone!

For me, painting requires a great deal of focus; it’s a solitary pursuit. When I am working, distractions and interruptions need to be minimized so that I can stay 100% with my painting. I’m fortunate. My painting studio is located in a quiet, remote spot, surrounded by nature. The greatest inspiration for my work is right outside my door. Of course, not every day involves a full 8 hours in the studio, but at least four or five productive hours are usually spent painting, with many more hours spent devoted to the process (winter walks, taking photos, making notes, evaluating work in series, and thinking).

I’ve decided to continue giving myself monthly work challenges. Some of these commitments will involve out-of-studio explorations, and others will explore new media and themes.  Thank you for following along, commenting and for all of your support with “Thirty-in-Thirty”!