I’m not going to misinform you, staying the course of a 31-day problem isn’t simple. However having executed our 31-pastels-in-31-days Problem for seven (!) years in a row, I now know that there’s a rhythm to it, a rhythm to the problem.
Let’s take a look at that rhythm and the way it pertains to the work I did this yr. Though I’ve been posting my work from the Problem on my Instagram and Facebook accounts, chances are you’ll not have seen my Problem physique of labor but. I’ve had curious requests to see all of the work!
Table of Contents
Concerning the 31-in-31 Problem
The problem is a couple of each day observe. Each day work means taking motion which implies transferring ahead. I feel success on this 31-in-31 Problem is placing pastel to paper every day. This implies letting go of a hoped for or anticipated final result, specifically a completed portray that makes you smile and garners likes from mates and followers. It means being glad with (and studying from) each mark you make. Each mark you make is a mark greater than you probably did yesterday.
A part of what helps us transfer by way of the Problem is the corporate we preserve – being accountable to somebody or a bunch (just like the HowToPastelFacebook group). One other half is the dedication to ourselves, to offer ourself permission and encouragement to color every single day for 31 days.
The Rhythm of the Problem
That is the rhythm of the problem for me however I feel it could be true for a lot of individuals.
Usually after we begin the Problem we’re gung ho! Sure! Let’s do that!! Now we have a willpower to do that factor! And so for per week or so we dive in with vitality and enthusiasm and paint each day. Across the finish of the first week or 10 days in, all of it begins to get a bit tougher. We’ve misplaced that preliminary thrust of energy that we had firstly of the Problem. I feel that is the time some individuals could also be tempted to surrender. However for many who push by way of, will probably be price it.
By the finish of thesecond week going into the third week, the factor that may assist preserve you on track is the wall behind you. That is the place you see work accumulating whether or not completed or not, profitable or not. It’s an enormous motivator to maintain going. And by now, we want all the assistance we will get!
Typically the problem means placing different issues on the again burner. It means sacrificing different issues to make room for this each day portray observe. The rhythm of the Problem means maybe others should assume a number of the duties, duties, errands which might be usually ours. We could begin to really feel responsible about that or use it as an excuse to stop the Problem. But this can be a reward from those that love us and are supporting our resolution to do the 31–in-31 Problem and we owe it to their generosity to maintain going! So we push on!
Generally life intercedes and it actually can get tough to place pastel to paper. I definitely had that occur just a few occasions throughout the 31-day rhythm of the problem. However I discovered methods to work round or with these life interludes. It’s simple to make use of these as an excuse to overlook just a few days. The factor is that every piece you do doesn’t should be giant. It may be small, quick, livid, merely marks. So no excuses!
And that final week – the place does it match into the rhythm of the problem? We get a surge of yes-I-can vitality to finish the course. Now is just not the time to stop, that’s what we inform ourselves. We’ve come too far to surrender now! Now we all know what we’re able to and we wish to show to ourselves that we will certainly full the 31-day Problem.
My Work Inside The Rhythm of the Problem
So let me take you thru a few of my items and share how they relate to the rhythm I’ve simply described. (Most items are nonetheless out there from me. On the finish of subsequent week, plenty of them will head to Peninsula Gallery. When you’re excited about any, simply let me know!)
Initially, I wasn’t even positive I used to be going to do the Problem this yr as fairly a bit was happening. However as the beginning day neared, I reminded myself what a helpful and satisfying expertise it’s. Cam and I had been on Salt Spring Island staying at a buddy’s home. Since I wasn’t in my studio, I made a decision to work en small plein air (from life) on small items. Undoubtedly feeling rusty firstly!
(By the best way, all of those pictures have been taken with my iPhone so might not be as correct as they could possibly be.)
Gail Sibley, “The Two of Us,” Unison Color pastels on UART 600, 5 1/2 x 8 1/4in. Out there. $250. The 2 roses, one on its method out, one nearly to open, caught my consideration. But it surely was the graphic simplicity of darkish leaves and their corresponding forged shadow that stopped me to color. I wished to maintain a free abstracted high quality to the piece.
Gail Sibley, “Poppy Riot,” Unison Color pastels on UART 600, 7 1/2 x 5 1/4 in. Out there. $225. Difficult factor with California Poppies- the flowers and foliage, though totally different in hue, are very related in worth! So the worth distinction must be “discovered” elsewhere.
Gail Sibley, “Calm As Can Be,” Unison Color pastels on UART 600, 4 1/4 x 8 1/4 in. Out there. $150. A really excessive key portray and a great take a look at for my set of Unison Color pastels! There was a slight pinky yellow that contrasted with the turquoise blue, so enjoyable to play with!
Gail Sibley, “Final Mild, Final Night time,” Unison Color pastels on UART 600, 8 1/4 x 6 1/4 in. Out there. $225.
Again residence within the consolation of my studio, I jumped proper into persevering with my Canine Walker collection. I’d been wanting ahead to engaged on these for someday. There are a LOT of individuals strolling their canine right here in my neighbourhood and in Victoria typically!
Gail Sibley, Final Stroll (Canine Walker collection), Unison Color pastels on UART 400, 6 x 6 in. Out there. $225. Whereas I used to be portray this, an expensive buddy handed away in hospital. Bettie was a canine lover and I really feel this portray of a determine (albeit a person) and canine companion strolling in the direction of the sunshine expresses one thing of her journey to a different chance of existence.
Gail Sibley, “Heading House After Play (Canine Walker collection),” Unison Color pastels on UART 400, 6 x 6 in. Out there. $225. I’ve a favorite stroll I do after I go to the library on Saturday afternoons. This time, I met a person and his canine on the pedestrian crossing. They’d simply come from enjoying ball on the seashore. I liked the sensation of companionship and likewise the sidelight.
Gail Sibley, “Threesome (Canine Walker collection),” Unison Color pastels on UART 400, 6 x 6 in. Out there. $225. Night begins and this man and his canine head residence earlier than full darkish falls. I appreciated the symmetry of man, canine, and bicycle. Additionally what attracted me was the light-coloured canine towards the darkly dressed man each set off towards a greying panorama besides the place the solar nonetheless may attain.
Gail Sibley, “The Orange Coat (Canine Walker collection),” Unison Color pastels on UART 400, 6 x 6 in. Out there. $225. Fairly than use the boring colors within the reference photograph, and following my thumbnail worth plan, I began in with intense colors and determined to maintain them that method quite than boring them. Love the best way this got here out!
Gail Sibley, “Heading For The Hydrant (Canine Walker collection),” Unison Color pastels on UART 500 paper, 6 x 6 in. Out there $225. One other canine walker, this time full with umbrella on a moist day. I liked that the canine was heading for the hydrant – typical canine behaviour lol. I couldn’t resist!
Then lastly I used to be prepared to begin portray extra work within the Gallery Goer collection. That is, for positive, a ardour topic of mine. I like portray an individual a portray and discovering and expressing one thing visible that connects them.
Gail Sibley, “Stripes and Checks (Gallery Goers collection),” Unison Color on UART 400, 12 x 8 in. Out there. $600. I’ve been wanting to do that for someday (my thumbnail for it was executed final October). My hesitation was across the regularity of the stripes of this portray by Gene Davis within the Utah Museum of Superb Arts which I’d visited in March 2020 simply because the pandemic was introduced. I used to be attracted by the determine, stopped mid-track. So I made a decision simply to go for it. I feel the irregularity of the pastel stripes offers curiosity.
Gene Davis, “Jasmine Sidewinder #91,” 1969, acrylic, 116 x 59 in, Utah Museum of Artwork, Sslt Lake Metropolis, Utah, USA.
Gail Sibley, “The Breath of Thought (Gallery Goers collection),” Unison Color on UART 400, 8 x 12 in. Out there. $600. I liked this sculpture by Roberto Almagno within the Vatican Museums. (I’ve used his title for my portray.) There’s a simplicity but complexity in his work, a strong sturdiness mixed with a lightness. The shadows on the wall change because the curve and thickness of a bit of wooden modified. The sculpture additionally transfer barely which additionally shifted the shadow shapes. It was tough to seize the piece and the emotions I had concerning the sculpture in my pastel portray!
Gail Sibley, “Black Hats (Gallery Goer collection),” Unison Color pastels on UART 500, 10 x 10 in. Out there. $625. Ever since I noticed this man this portray by Klimt at an exhibition of Klimt’s work on the San Francisco Legion of Honor just a few years in the past, I’ve wished to color this scene. (Within the reference photograph, the person is definitely wanting on the label so I pushed him over a bit!). I used to be drawn to the similarity of the 2 hats of viewer and portray topic in addition to the connection in colur of clothes.
Gail Sibley, “The Pink Circle,” Unison Color pastels on UART 320, 8 x 12 in. Out there. $600. I like that the purple circle in Miro’s portray is the factor we see on this boy’s cellphone. I wished to make Miro’s portray the star of this piece after which have the second purple circle (and figures) seen secondarily.
Joan Miró, “Determine in Entrance of the Solar,” 1968, acrylic on canvas, 174 x 260 cm, Miro Basis, Barcelona, Spain.
Gail Sibley, “Capturing Beatrice (Gallery Goer collection),” Unison Color pastels on UART 500, 10 x 10 in. Out there. $625. I’ve seemed ahead to portray this topic for some time now. (I used to be within the Uffizi in 2019 which is the place I snapped the photograph.) What attracted me was the connection between the 2 girls. Though centuries aside, I discovered similarities – the frilly coiffure/headdress, the ornamental clothes, and the depth of wanting. After which there’s the ever present smartphone that reveals the Rennaissance mannequin by way of the lens of the twenty first century!
Attributed to Alessandro Araldi, “Portrait of Beatrice d’Este,” c.1495, oil on panel, measurement unknown, Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy
I’m on the finish of two weeks and beginning to lose enthusiasm even whereas doing the work I like to do. The each day muscle is out of form and feeling exhausted! It was time to alter issues up a bit and get a bit looser. (The Gallery Goers, as fabulous as they’re to do, take lots of focus, care, and vitality.)
Gail Sibley, “Two Bushes,” Unison Color pastels on UART 500, 6×9 in. Out there $325. I used to be going to work on one other Gallery Goer portray however time was brief and let you know the reality, I used to be weary and never feeling like portray in a cautious and thought of method. Soooo I placed on the music and simply went for it!!
Gail Sibley, “Quiet Afternoon in Trequanda, Tuscany,” Unison Color pastels on UART 500, 8 3/4 x 5 3/4 in. Out there. $295. I began this piece a few years in the past, received it drawn up, and made a begin with a partial first layer down. I can’t bear in mind what made me cease however as I used to be searching for paper to make use of, I got here throughout it. It was an ideal break from figurative work!
Gail Sibley, “View from Songhees Walkway,” Victoria, Unison Color pastels on UART 400, 4 x 11 in. Out there $225. Cam and I took a leisurely stroll on a record-breaking temperature day – the very best since 1961. It was gloriously heat however with a coolness that comes from being by the water. This was an try and seize the late afternoon view of the top of Victoria Harbour from the Songhees Walkway.
Gail Sibley, “Shade!,” Unison Color pastels on UART 400, 4 ¾ x 4 ½ in. Out there $100. There’s a photograph I’ve used for plenty of small items and this present day, desirous to do a small and easy piece of timber, I reached for it as soon as once more. Time was brief so I labored small and quick! 30 minutes from discovering the photograph, making a few fast thumbnails and diving in with pastels!
Gail Sibley, “Glads at Rio Chirripo Lodge,” Unison Color pastels on UART 400, 6¾ x 4 ½ in. Out there $150. Reminiscences of the gorgeous communal space on the Rio Chirripo Lodge the place a bunch of us stayed once I taught a vacation spot workshop in Costa Rica in February. Flowers are at all times on show. The lodge is an ideal place to spend per week of portray, educating, and consuming!
After which a little bit of life occurred. Cam and I took my Dad and Mum up island to go to with my brother and his spouse (to have a good time my Dad’s 93rd birthday 😀 ). I took my pastels however had pared down, no easel as an example. I additionally determined to problem myself by utilizing a small set of Sennelier pastels that I wasn’t conversant in. Ohhhh, I undoubtedly had some irritating moments however I simply saved going! I had little time and labored sitting down (quite than my regular standing pose) so it was all very difficult. I labored from life and from photographs. All items had been small!
Gail Sibley, “Folded Towels,” Sennelier pastels on UART 600, 4 x 5 ½ in. Painted from life. Out there $85. I spent the weekend with household, staying at my brother’s and sister-in-law’s home. I snuck off to the basement to work on my 31-in-31 work. What to color? I noticed these two folded towels sitting on a ping pong desk. There wasn’t a lot gentle however quite than spending extra time wanting, I simply received all the way down to work! Course of, not final result!!
Gail Sibley, “Bushes at Sundown,” Sennelier pastels on UART 600, 5 ½ x 4 in. Painted from life. Out there $75. Again within the basement, in desperation, I seemed out the window and there have been a few timber tipped by the disappearing solar. That was it. Quick and livid!!
Gail Sibley, “Nokia Historic Society Assembly,” Sennelier pastels on UART 600, 4 x 5 ½ in. Out there $85. Sitting on the windowsill within the basement had been three outdated telephones lined up collectively. A bit boring so why not give them a attempt. The neat factor is that when I seemed extra deeply and actually noticed what was there, I smiled on the small variations that will make the portray extra fascinating each to do and to take a look at. Thanks for the title Brett!
Gail Sibley, “Calliope,” Sennelier pastels on UART 600, 4 x 5 ½ in. Out there $85. On the patio, a pot of geraniums (pelargoniums). This one is an ideal purple and my sister-in-law’s fav.
Gail Sibley, “Walkies!,” Sennelier pastels on UART 600, 3 ½ x 2 ½ in. Out there $50. A really small piece! Liked the sample of sunshine and received caught in even with solely 20 minutes. Fast thumbnail to familiarize myself with the topic after which GO!
Again residence, it was the final week of the Problem – yay! The rhythm of the problem was a burst of vitality to complete! I did a few smaller items earlier than blasting into three extra Gallery Goer work. And at last, I wished to verify to incorporate a bit with laundry as I’m recognized for my love of clotheslines full of individuals’s lives as seen by way of their garments, mattress linen and towels, and intimate attire.
Gail Sibley, “Purple Night,” Unison Color pastels on UART 320, 6 x 6 in. That is from a photograph I took from my buddy Sandy’s home on Salt Spring Island. It was nightfall, nonetheless with color within the sky and water however the solar was lengthy gone. I’ve been wanting to color it for a while and so the Problem was an ideal time to play with it. I envisioned a bit with purples and greens.
Gail Sibley, “White Jug with Flowers,” Unison Color pastels on UART 400, 4 ½ x 4 ½ in. Out there. $100. I had a brief period of time however that wasn’t an excuse. Utilizing a beautiful photograph I’d taken at Mum and Dad’s, I made a thumbnail and was offt! Regardless that I didn’t have the suitable pink in my palette (for the flowers), that didn’t cease me!
Gail Sibley, “Selfie with Ladies, Birds, (Gallery Goers collection),” Unison Color pastels on UART 320, 10 x 10 in. Out there $625. After I taught a vacation spot retreat workshop on the coast of Spain, I headed to Barcelona for some “me” time. I adored the Miro Basis and plenty of of my Gallery Goer work have been set on this great museum. I smiled once I noticed this man making an attempt to take a selfie with this gigantic piece by Miró!
Gail Sibley, “Mom and Son with The Lark’s Wing (Gallery Goers collection),” Unison Color pastels on UART 500, 12 x 8 in. Out there $600. I used to be hesitant to do that scene with figures dealing with the viewer. However I so liked the pose, the targeted and intimate connection between what seems to be like a mom along with her son. I additionally love how the purple and white seen within the portray is repeated within the boy’s shirt.
Gail Sibley, “Dealing with Fragonard (Gallery Goers collection),” Unison Color pastels on UART 500, 10 x 10 in. Out there. $625. It’s a lot concerning the pose! This time it’s not solely the Gallery Goer’s pose but additionally the lounging determine in Fragonard’s portray. Capturing each males, their gestures and positions proved difficult. I liked it!
Jean-Honoré Fragonard, “Portrait of Charles-Michel-Ange Challe (?),“ c. 1769, oil on canvas, 93.8 x 73.8 cm, The Cambó Bequest, Nationwide Musuem of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
Gail Sibley, “The Laundry Line,” Unison Color pastels on UART 500, 6 x 6 in. Out there. $175. That is painted from a small a part of a photograph I took whereas whizzing alongside in a automotive in Ontario. (And no, I wasn’t driving!). I’m a lover of laundry on the road so I snapped a photograph of a clothesline within the distance.
And in case you’re truly counting the items and located there’s one lacking, you’re right. Certainly one of my 31-in-31 days was spent making a Lesson for my IGNITE! Members (and we’re reopening on twentieth November so get on the Waitlist here!). I made a decision to incorporate that as one among my Problem items.
Gail Sibley – An train executed for my IGNITE! members on stress! Unison Color pastels on Canson Mi-Teintes paper
The 31-in-31 Problem presents so many advantages. Understanding the pure rhythm of the problem permits us to go simpler on ourselves particularly when issues get robust. I hope you’ll attempt the Problem subsequent yr with us!
Listed below are a number of the greatest takeaways from this yr’s individuals:
“My greatest takeaway is the inside push I really feel to do a portray every single day. As soon as I enroll, I really feel responsible (to myself, nobody else), if I haven’t executed one! November 1st dawned and all day I felt relieved that I didn’t HAVE TO paint, however the guilt was nonetheless there, lol. Seeing the others’ work was nice too. I did your very 1st one, 6 years in the past. Nonetheless enjoyable. Thanks!”
~ Barbara Archer
“I exploit it as a possibility to attempt new issues. One yr was determining my Christmas card pictures, one was doing lengthy skinny bookmarks and this yr was working up the nerve to attempt portraits. Realizing that I’m simply playing around with new concepts and strategies takes that perfectionism stress off.”
~ Stephanie Colotti
“Having the inducement of being a part of a bunch problem and so getting pastel to paper. Each portray is a studying expertise. Therefore, the extra often you paint, the extra you study!”
~ Joanna Grey
“The most important takeaway was the self-discipline to color every single day whether or not it was giant or small.”
~ Rosie Coleman
“Making an attempt totally different approaches, and likewise having a month’s work to look again on has helped me consider what I actually get pleasure from doing and given me some concepts for future work. Better of all I’ve loved the group interplay. I’ve learnt from, and been impressed by, different individuals’s work in addition to my very own.”
~ Judith Turner
“My greatest takeaway is the discharge from my thought that the whole lot I paint needs to be adequate to share. The push to share every day, no matter whether or not I used to be happy with the portray, was such a aid. It gave me the liberty to let go and simply paint. It additionally saved me from infinite fiddling. Realizing that I used to be going to put up the portray earlier than the day was out made me cease messing and overworking. Liked this problem!”
~ Barbara Garwood
“For me, it was the conclusion that every single day does supply some alternative for artwork, even when just a few minutes.”
~ Gail Gudrun Helgason
Aren’t these nice?! Having the HTP Facebook group undoubtedly saved many people on observe – realizing we wanted to put up one thing on the finish of the day retains us on the right track. Group accountability is a large a part of our success! As is the encouragement and suggestions we get from fellow individuals. You’ll discover numerous this in IGNITE! An Art-Making membership so be sure to join the waitlist. We open on the twentieth November!
I might LOVE to listen to your ideas concerning the Problem. When you participated this yr, do you resonate with my rhythm of the Problem? Or was your expertise utterly totally different?
When you didn’t take part this time, inform me when you’re tempted to affix us subsequent yr. Additionally, when you’ve executed different varieties of challenges, do you’re feeling the rhythm of the problem I laid out interprets over to your problem? Let me know within the feedback!
Till subsequent time!
Gail
PS. When you’re excited about any of my work and have questions or want to buy, do e mail me.
