Instead of a 365-project this year I decided to try and set some monthly goals and my first January goal was to paint 31 angel paintings in 31 days (#31angelsin31days):
I’ll be honest on Day 3 of painting angels I was already over it. But I set a goal and I knew, if I just kept painting, inspiration would start to emerge. That’s the crazy thing about art…the only way to get past a block is to keep working. Keep showing up to the canvas and keep putting paint on it. I paint with brushes, my hands, and anything else nearby that seems like it would leave an interesting mark. I paint over things…and start over and over and over again. Inspiration will show up…in time. How many ways are there to paint an angel? Infinite. And I just needed 31 ways.
I started a new angel every single day but didn’t necessarily finish the angel on that day. Some angels were worked on over the entire 31 days. Here are a few in-process photos:
Each angel has layers and layers of paint on them. I tried not to be afraid to paint over earlier work.
The whole project was sparked from little metal tags I had.
I wanted a series of paintings that each had a metal tag sewn to them:
Here’s how they turned out:
Angels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6:
Angels 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12:
Angels 13, 14, 15, 16. 17 and 18:
Angels 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24:
Angels 25, 26, 27. 28, 29, and 30:
And finally Angel 31 (I’ve decided I can’t have any more months with odd numbers…it messes up my collage numbers!):
I learn so much by pushing through blocks and an extended process. After one of two paintings I started decorating the sides of the paintings and just seeing them all stacked up has inspired me in some new directions:
I love the how the randomness becomes cohesive in a way:
All 31 stacked up together:
These have all mostly sold but I do plan to make some smaller print sets that can be framed or used as postcards. I was thinking maybe a set of 10 cards in a pack so I’d love some help figuring out which ones to include! I’ve started a tally sheet of favorites so let me know if you have any favorites that you think should be included. Thanks so much!
Now it’s time to turn to February! I haven’t quite decided what my February project will be yet (I share it on Instagram as soon as I decide)….I still have a few hours left in the day. If you are looking for a monthly project maybe try angels…or my friend artist Amanda Evanston is doing a February Flowers month you could join in on!
After I found your 365 button project I convinced our stitchin’ group to make one. It was hard to get started, what colors, what shape, random or not, lots of decisions. As you say, after you get started everything falls into place. Thanks for inspiring us all.
Even though it’s very obvious, I think you should do hearts. So many possibilities. Not just one heart, but hearts covering the whole canvas. One big heart. One tiny heart you have to find. Hearts every which way. Hearts as a border for something else. A vase of heart-shaped flowers. Heart-shaped perfume bottles. Anatomically correct hearts. Deconstructed hearts. Infinite possibilities to explore. I’m not even a painter, and I get excited over all the possibilities and whittling them down to just 28….
Love this idea Tamara. And how clever to have one tiny heart you have to find! Ashley?
I love them! And I especially love seeing the patterns on the sides! I am currently in a phase where I *love* geometrics so those are really appealing to me! I keep thinking that I couldn’t do a month of a painting a day, but I keep thinking that Feb. only has 28 days and how hard would that be?? I may be starting in the next few minutes. We will see…. Every time I go back to look and choose a favorite I change my mind!
Ashley,
These are amazing! The vast array of angels are very appealing. I can truly understand how daunting 31 days of doing the same theme could be, well, bravo for you to stick with it. I am not a painter but I love to see what others can do with their talents! I too, like the edge finishes. Your works brings my heart joy! CJ
WOW! Truly amazing! I’m so impressed with all your creativeness! A set of ten cards would be great. It was hard but here’s my choices:
1, 4, 5, 11, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 27
Thanks so very much for sharing your life with us!
Thanks for your inspiration. I love collage paintings and am working on some as well. I need to just keep pushing through, because I get stuck as well. I decided to add birds to each of mine. I have finished a couple, but have 6 to go. Sometimes I paint out the sides of the canvases and sometimes I don’t, but I love how you did all of yours. Again, thanks for the inspiration.
I really really really love the sides of the paintings ???? and my favourite paintings are 30 and 31, though I like them all ????
I love those little metal tags! My favorite angels are 1, 18, 21, but my absolute favorite is 31! The peaceful birds really caught my eye, first thing. Blues and purples are my favorite colors. Nice work!
You have inspired me sooo much. I have had angels on my mind for a long time now. We have 2 disabled grandchildren who have amazing people in their lives who I see as our Earth Angels. I think I will start painting my version of Earth Angels to give as gifts to all of our real Earth Angels. Judy
These turned out amazing. I love how you challenge yourself and your creativity. The fact that you managed to create 31 totally unique pieces of art with the same angel shape is really impressive. Super cool!! Thanks for continuing to inspire!!!
I love your angle paintings. I am inspired every time I look at your blog.