Aug 25

Tiny Painting of my House

Yep, it’s the painting that is tiny – 5″ x 5″, not the house. AND, I’m painting a picture, not painting the house.
Kate Townley Smith
Ok, clarifications out of the way, I thought I would show you my latest painting and its progress! It’s 5″ x 5″, and it’s in the same format as the paintings I will be doing as part of my 100 Tiny Homes project. I’m experimenting with materials too. I’m trying to decide if I should use oil or acrylic paint. I prefer oils, but they have two big drawbacks: the solvents are toxic, and they take forever to dry.

I tried Artisan water soluble oils, and while I like them, I only like them with the mediums that make them take even longer to dry. I’ve been working with acrylics, and I’m getting better at it. Acrylics definitely work well for layering technique since they dries quickly. But, they dry a little too quickly sometimes. Next, I’m going to try out an acrylic medium that extends drying time a bit.

The first picture below is of my house. Yes, it is purple with red trim. No, I didn’t choose those colors, but I have come to love them! It’s ridiculously easy to give directions now! The second picture is a progression of my painting. I really had planned a couple more layers of color, but I fell in love with this version, so I stopped. It doesn’t look quite finished to me, but I know if I go one step further, it will be *too* finished. Anyone know what I mean? Does that happen to you?

Collage of Awaken Progress, Kate Townley Smith

Would you like a painting inspired by your home? Check out my Kickstarter 100 Tiny Homes project!


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Aug 20

Excitement and Inspiration

At the beginning of August, I wrote about inspiration on Spring. Since then, I’ve been traveling and planning my next painting project. I’m still reading about color theory, and hope to post some sketches soon, but I’m just so excited about my 100 Tiny Homes project, I have to do that one first!

I really can’t wait to get started, even though Kickstarter strongly suggests waiting until then end of the funding phase in case the project doesn’t get funded. All this excitement has help me dream up 100s of new ideas that I also want to do NOW!

I used to think I had some artistic talent, but not really any ideas. But now, I have so many more ideas than I have time to work on them! I’ve noticed that I’ve wanted to get started on all of them right away and feel a little panic if I don’t. I can’t though – I’ve committed to a project, have my calligraphy business, a part time job, and a toddler. I think I’m afraid I’ll lose them if I don’t act on them. So, to track my ideas, I started a notebook at the beginning of summer, and it’s already full! I cross off pages as I use the ideas and highlight ideas I want to get back to – it’s a big mess! But despite the mess, it’s been a WONDERFUL tool – I’ve gotten more good stuff done this summer than I have in a really long time.

I suspect that it’s not just excitement that leads to inspiring ideas. I’d bet that it’s strong emotions of any sort.

Next time you get really fired up about something – good or bad, even if it isn’t about your art or craft, even if it’s over the next Avett Brothers show…:) ), use it! Pay attention to the quick little ideas that zoom through your brain. Write them down! Some will turn out to be your best ideas ever.

Current Excitement

WOW and THANK YOU! I have so many pledges for my 100 Tiny Homes Project and it hasn’t even been 48 hours! You have helped me fund 23% of the project already (as of 8/20 at 5:30am!). Sure, I still have a long way to go, but the momentum seems there – this could really happen!

This is all or nothing funding, which is scary, but makes for a good challenge! So, if you hope I succeed, tell your friends about my project!

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Aug 18

I Want to Paint Your Home!

Not the walls, silly! A painting of your home!

Here’s the 100 Tiny Homes Project Page (also a new tab!), the Kickstarter fund-raising page, and a few details below:

Who?

Well, you and me really. This is a group effort – I can’t do it without input from everyone! The more different folks who participate, the better the project (so tell your co-workers)!

What?

I have this idea for an exhibit of at least 50 tiny paintings of real people’s homes. It will be a physical representation of a neighborhood, but not like you think – the connection won’t be a street or town, but common desires to have a painting of your home, to be part of a gallery exhibit, to be part of a project.

Where?

I’ll be in Chattanooga. Thanks to the Internet, you can be anywhere! And the exhibit is still TBD, but I will certainly update everyone once I get that put together. If you have good ideas for a gallery, let me know!

When?

I’m working with Kickstarter to raise the funds to purchase the materials for this project. I need to raise $2692.00 by September 30. Kickstarter facilitates an all-or-nothing type of funding. If I don’t get enough pledges by the end of September, my project doesn’t get funded, and you don’t get your painting. So, if it sounds interesting, check it out ASAP!

Why?

I’m offering paintings to people who pledge by September 30 a discount because I want this to be successful. I’m really excited about painting 100 paintings of 50 different homes!

Please check out:

  1. My new 100 Tiny Homes Paintings Kickstarter page
  2. My detailed 100 Tiny Homes web page

Do you like the idea? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE send it to all your friends who may also be interested! I only have 6 weeks to raise enough funds for the whole project!


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