Whenever I go to a painting workshop, someone will inevitably comment on how fast I paint. It is not uncommon for me to have four paintings “going” at a time. I’ll get as far as I can on one, then shift to the next. The advantage of this method is that it (in theory) prevents me from overworking a particular painting. In my writing life, however, I tend to work on a single project. I find that if I don’t focus, progress can be elusive.
However, for the month of November, I am abandoning book #3 in the Canine Accounting Capers series. First, the book isn’t going great. The story is there, but there is something that’s not coming together. I think maybe things need to simmer a while. Second, I’ve been editing and re-writing this series, relatively non-stop, since August 2024. I think I’m getting stale, which is perhaps why it’s not coming together.
To solve these issues, I have decided to embrace the (now defunct) spirt of NaNoWriMo and try to crank out a new book in November. The idea is to write 1,667 works per day; at the end of the month, the writer will have around 50,000 words, which is a good start on a book. Because NaNoWriMo is no longer with us (the organization was dragged down with financial and reputational issues), I have entered the Willamette Writers November Cohort (this is still somewhat vague to me) with the goal of blasting out a book.
As I fully intend to keep my head down (cue laughter from the universe), I thought I would post the paintings I’ve been working on and other small pieces of artistic news.
Recent Paintings
I attended the “No Kings” rally in Lincoln City on October 18. It was interesting, though I spent most of my time people watching. I came home and painted from some reference photos I took. Portraits aren’t usual for me, but it is always good to try something new.
Miscellany
I attended my first “professional” book signing on October 11. The Cloud and Leaf Bookstore in Manzanita hosted me for their weekly “After Hours” night. The group was small, but incredibly sweet. I kept it short and the group ended up discussing books we liked. It was fun!
Last weekend, October 25, I taught “Experiments and Expression in Liquid Charcoal” at the Artists Studio Association. I had fun and I think the class did as well. I didn’t take any photos, but fortunately the magical media mistress Catherine Hingson did. Yes, I look goofy in this video, but hey… I am goofy!
I will be teaching another class in the new year, this one in three sessions spaced a month apart: New Year, New Series. Artists will develop a series using prompts, exercises, and anything else I can dream up to encourage more personal painting.
In my final update, I am in the process of planning a trip to Alaska next June. So far, I can report it is apparently a very big place. Lots of decisions to make!