I was inspired by a series of still life paintings that an artist I follow on Instagram posted. She staged some of her favourite items for each one, and the results were wonderful and whimsical. I didn’t particularly enjoy painting still life scenes in high school, but being able to select my own items and stage them however I wanted appealed to me, so I added this very specific art project to my Forty Before Forty list. Unfortunately, I think I inadvertently painted myself into a corner. Pun intended. Instead of being too broad in my goal, I was too narrow instead.
My other setback was physical. While I can still paint to some extent despite my carpal tunnel and Fibro working against me, sketching the scene first is a problem. It doesn’t matter how little drawing I am doing, the motion is taxing. I was reminded of this when I made valentines for Raymond and the kiddos last month. Using watercolour paints allowed me to press lightly with the brushes. However, in order to get the scale and proportions exactly how I want them meant I first attempted some light sketches. Gripping the pencil and doing tiny details was a menace to my wrist and hand, and I still insisted on outlining some of the artwork. At least it was less strenuous than outright drawing and colouring all of them, or cutting out pieces of paper to create the art as I typically do.
~Using watercolours for the valentines this year was easier on my hand.~
~Snipping paper into tiny shapes and layering them was a lot harder on my hands, but I miss being able to make art for my family that way.~
Most Fridays, the kids and I sync up with my Mom over Teams (which I have to keep reminding myself is no longer Skype). We each work on something creative while we talk. At the end of our chat we show each other what we accomplished during our time together. Today, my son just rested and slept for most of the time because he has finally succumbed to the cold that his sister and Raymond were suffering from all week. I was itching to do something creative but also felt like I should do something productive, so I compromised. I took a picture of one of my favourite shelves of trinkets in the living room, determined to use it as my reference for a still life painting. Originally, I had envisioned using acrylics like the aforementioned artist used. However, I didn’t want to heft all of my acrylic paints downstairs, and I didn’t want to go up to my art room because that left my son alone. I’m circling back to the watercolour paints now. I decided to attempt a miniature still life painting in watercolours.
~I’ve had these little kitties and the doll since I was a little girl.~
It did not come out how I wanted it to but I did not specify it had to be a good still life painting. Doing the painting on a very small scale was difficult, but it allowed me to finish it faster. It also reminded me how angry my hand was already from driving earlier in the day. I made a light sketch, hated it, erased it, made another, hated that one more, tried to follow the lines of the first and fix it up, then ended up with a hodgepodge of semi-erased lines. I don’t know if it was because I still don’t like painting staged groups of objects, regardless of the objects, or if I was just cranky from the pain radiating throughout my entire body, but I didn’t really enjoy the process. Maybe I should have attempted it on a bigger scale, though I have a feeling I would have run into the same problems, except I wouldn’t have finished.
~It looks worse every time I look at it…~
The cats came out really wonky, and I know that the book and doll are off in their positions, but my still life painting is done. It’s not an exciting finish. I think this is the equivalent of blowing one of those party blowers, only to find out it doesn’t make the loud, squeaky, honk sound. It just goes plrpt. Admittedly, I’m still a tad grumpy. This time I did take the pain reliever but it’s not doing enough. This week was strenuous on my nerves and body. While it’s not a fanfare moment, I am still proud of myself for sticking with the list and pressing forward. On to the next challenge! Less than five months to go!
Goal Accomplished: March 6, 2026.
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