Thirty-in-Thirty: Day Twenty Six

By Michaela | Published January 27, 2013

Winter Nude ll â“’ 2013 michaela harlow

Winter Nude ll ⓒ 2013 Michaela Harlow - 13″ x 20″, Pastel on Paper

After finishing up yesterday’s piece, I immediately started on the base layer for another, and finished the second in this series today. I’m hoping to work some vertical panels next month —oil paintings in a much larger size— so these pieces are helping me to think beyond the horizontal and the square.

Looking around my studio this afternoon, I can tell that I’m nearing the end of thirty-in-thirty. My work table looks like like it was hit by a dust bowl and I’m nearly out of supplies. Balls of blue tape and empty cans of Aqua Net are all over the place and my finger nails are officially gone. Although I am in need of a clean up break and some social time, I’m still feeling hungry to move into a different medium. Interestingly, I’m also yearning to explore the human form again… Something I haven’t done in many years.

Winter Nude ll â“’ 2013 Michaela Harlow - Pastel on Paper

Winter Nude ll ⓒ 2013 Michaela Harlow - 13″ x 20″, Pastel on Paper

Behind the scenes, I’ve been applying layers of gesso to both paper and wood panels in preparation for February’s work, and beginning primary layers and secondary layers on a couple of new pieces. Once I dive into the oils, I will put away dry media for awhile. My dried out fingers and dusty home will certainly breathe a sigh of relief!

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2 Comments

  1. Jen January 28, 2013 at 9:33 am #

    I like hearing that you’re preparing to move into your February mode – getting paper and wood ready for oils, thinking in different sizes & orientations, considering a return to subjects not visited for a long time. It’s exciting.

    Your commitment to your art, and the way you share it here, inspires me in my own creative pursuits. I know that’s not your goal with thirty-in-thirty, but it’s an appreciated side-benefit for me! Thank you.

  2. Michaela January 28, 2013 at 3:51 pm #

    Hi Jen, Thanks for taking the time to look at the posts, and to comment. I love the support, and I’m so glad you are inspired by this crazy, January project. It certainly focuses me, and I have to say that there’s something about this that reminds me of running. When I put on my running shoes, I go running, and even if I am out of shape, I benefit. Just being in the studio allows the work to happen. When I don’t make a schedule, everything else gets in the way of the work. Now, I need a June studio schedule (Ha!). xo M