Monday, September 1, 2014

The 30 Day Challenge: Cruising Day I


“Alaskan Glacier” by Jim Carpenter, Watercolor on Yupo, 9” x 12” 
To find out about purchasing the painting click here.

“It’s time to say no to jobs and yes to fun, freedom and pleasure. It’s time to be idle.”
      TomHodgkinson

The Challenge: Cruise On Labor Day 



When I retired from teaching in 2003, we set sail on a cruise from NYC to London on Labor Day. The significance of sailing on Labor Day could not be overlooked, as it was the first time since I was 6 years old that I was able to take a vacation on Labor Day and not be restricted by having to go to school the next day.  And so it seems most appropriate that this 30 Day Challenge begins on Labor Day, reminding me that I paint because, like cruising, painting is saying yes to fun, freedom, and pleasure. 

I'm Working On Being Idle


The theme for the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge is “On Being Idle.”  Now that does not mean that I will be doing nothing. It means that I am going to focus on eliminating any notion that what I am doing is a job. I am, after all, retired. I paint because it is fun. I paint because I love the creative process. I paint and I write because reflection is pleasurable.

Why did I choose to paint Alaska for my first painting in the challenge? It would seem a welcome choice given how hot and humid Gainesville, FL has been this summer. And I agree that was part of the argument for it. But, that isn’t the only reason. About 8 years ago we took a cruise to Alaska. What could be more leisurely than a cruise? What could drifting in a bay watching glaciers calve be besides a leisurely activity? It would have been more leisurely had I not felt the need at the time to take a thousand photos of the glacier. And honestly, with all of that snapping, I never painted a painting of the glacier, in part because who in Florida would buy a painting of a glacier? Right? It’s not the right market. See? That’s an example of “job” insidiously creeping its way into my daily existence, and blocking my fun. So, today, I gave myself permission to paint it. The boss is easing up!

“Alaska” is a watercolor on Yupo Watercolor Paper, a slick plastic surface that can be challenging and fun at the same time. I just ordered a supply of Yupo from Dick Blick Art Materials, so, yes, I will surely paint on it again in the next 30 days.

14 comments:

  1. Wow, Jim! Your watercolor is beautiful.

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  2. Wonderful shapes Jim, and the reflection is awe-some! Looking forward to seeing you each day :)

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    1. Thank you, Sheila! Those reflections... I think they owe something to the magic of Yupo!

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  3. The magic of your vision is suited perfectly on Yupo. This is fabulous.

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  4. Nice job, Jim! Love the diagonals and the energy on this one! Bravo!

    I have been on one cruise in my life with my wife Lori. We did a southern caribbean cruise. It was a fantastic experience. She wants to do Alaska before her life ends. Not top on my list (i'd rather to the Med!), but I'll keep trying to find a way to get her there!

    God bless and keep up with the brushes!

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    1. Thank you, Robert! I went to your blog site - love your painting of the goldfinch - which reminds me that I need to treat myself to returning to the novel "The Goldfinch" - a great read.

      We did Alaska once and don't feel the need to do it again. What we really love are the transatlantic crossings - 2 weeks with about 4 ports - so, lots of leisurely days at sea.

      Thanks for the comments.

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  5. Gorgeous work, Jim! I have a question about the Yupo paper - I was told (by someone who knows about these things) that Yupo will only last about five years before it begins to disintegrate. Have you any information discrediting that?

    Bye for now!
    Aryana

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  6. Jim, this painting is gorgeous and thank you for this beautiful blog post. It was just what I needed to hear. All month I've been striving and working and stressing out. I'm pressuring myself to sell ($ for Paris) and I'm not having any fun or enjoying my painting. In fact, I'm struggling to paint at all. This post was very inspiring to me, thank you so much for sharing. You're awesome!!

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    1. Shelby, Thank you so much for the "gorgeous"! I am doubly delighted to know that the blog post was meaningful for you, especially since you have been so helpful to me regarding sales venues. :-) You ARE going to Paris. I AM going to London. The universe is dealing with it! And we can just paint and enjoy!

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  7. Hi Aryana,
    Thanks for the "gorgeous" comment!

    Regarding the archival quality of Yupo - I had not heard or read anything that suggests that Yupo will disintegrate in 5 years. Everything I've read suggests it is durable and archival. I did a google search for "5 years of disintegration" and found a comment that years ago an article in an artist magazine stated that Yupo would disintegrate, but this person says that it was not correct and questions the authority of the writer of the article. My understanding from everything I've read is that Yupo is archival. It is accepted as a substrate in watercolor societies - including the most prestigious one, The American Watercolor Society, and it is used by premier watercolorists with national profiles, like Mark Mehaffey and George James. Both of them give workshops on painting on Yupo (as do others) and I am convinced that if there were a serious question about its archival nature that everyone in the watercolor world would be discussing it, and warning artists not to use it. No one, especially artists who have national and international reputations, want their paintings to crumble.

    That said as one poster pointed out there are those who don't necessarily trust it, and that there is a divide between those who love it and those who don't trust it.

    I hope this helps!

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  8. Jim, first thank you for joining my blog... Nice to have another Floridian on it.
    I just read your post on painting of Alaska .Your painting is wonderful. .... I too took that cruise just last year.. Amazing. !! and I did do a few small pieces on Juneau, the glaciers, etc. But I was so busy taking in all that beauty . The 30 day challenge is fun and I hope to still be alive when it ends. LOL
    best regards, Barbra Joan

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    1. Hi Barbara Joan! Yes, we Floridians need to stick together. I have never really mastered painting while traveling - especially on a cruise. Yes, the challenge is fun - and here's to our survival! :-) Looking forward to seeing more of your work! - Jim

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