30 Paintings in 30 days!
Executed from September 19 through October 18, 2011
All are 12 x 12" oil paintings, on acrylic under-painted, gallery-wrapped canvases
See the paintings in my Pfister Studio!
In September of 2010, a staff member from the Peninsula School of Art (in Fish Creek, WI) asked if I wanted to participate in a show featuring 7 artists, each doing a painting-a-day for 30 days in a row. I thought, "Why not?" Doing a painting-a-day for 30 days didn't seem like such a difficult task to undertake--especially considering how when I'm doing 'plein-air' work, (painting outside), I can sometimes paint up to 3 paintings a day. Spontaneously, I chose to paint the "human figure" as my theme, therefore committing myself to a subject that I seldom work on.
Fast forward to April 2011, when I took on the role of the Artist-in-Residence in Milwaukee's famous Pfister Hotel. In taking on this residency, I had committed to painting "Milwaukee Urban Landscapes." Therefore, to combine both aims, I decided the theme for my 30 paintings would now be "The Figure in Urban Landscape." In choosing that path, I had unwittingly made much more work for myself. Because of the need for accuracy in painting people, this task took 4-7 hours per piece (instead of my assumed 2-3 hours.) I found it best to take my time in the drawing stage, ensuring the figures were accurate before starting on the application of the majority of the oil paint. Working in my Pfister studio, a few strides from the busy lobby of the hotel, added an unpredictable element into the mix because of the many visitors which I welcomed into my studio. With these challenges, each painting became it's own journey--some surprisingly easy to execute, some begging to be started over, some happening as "demos" during major events at the Pfister. On day 30, as I was putting the finishing touches on my last painting, there came a sense of relief as well as a bittersweet feeling similar to saying goodbye to a dear friend.
I have truly enjoyed the process and the challenge. Even though I didn't have much of a life (other than painting) during those 30 days, I discovered that I really love painting people! My big revelation? I need to get more figures in my paintings, and even have them be the focus, not just a minor painted suggestion. This has been huge directional shift for me as an artist, and I look forward to working with this new perspective and direction! Thanks, Peninsula School of Art, for putting me up to this challenge! And thanks to the Pfister Hotel for all of the exposure and growth the Residency has given me.
Workshops
(Day 30 Painting)
Click on my FACEBOOK link below to see all 30 paintings up close!
30 Paintings/30 Days Exhibition
At the Pfister until February 29th
In its third year, The Pfister Hotel's Artist-in-Residence program features a working art studio and gallery that is open to hotel guests and visitors. The program encourages the public to interact with the artist and witness the evolution of each piece first-hand.
http://www.thepfisterhotel.com/artist-in-residence/artists/shelby-keefe.asp
424 East Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53202
HOURS W-TH-F-S, 2-8 PM OR BY APPT.
shelbykeefe@tds.net
