The Amazing Art Challenge

A good philosophy for artists to follow”

“Great Painting is never Perfect,

and Perfect Painting is never Great”

The Art Challenge started as an experiment, with three painting friends. The intention being to paint from the same photo. Three more have since joined. So that we are all on the same page, each artist gets a turn to send a photo to the others.

The challenge is to produce paintings that push beyond the comfort zone using different approaches. Believe me it’s a struggle when you receive the photo, and you say “what am I going to do with this”? We each have our own personal style, and there is no perfect way to do art. The idea is to not copy the photograph slavishly, but to interpret. I am even suggesting using two photos together, ie a figure photo, together with a landscape, or street scene.

The medium: oil, or oil with acrylic underpainting, or mixed media. Size of surface, and style of painting is up to each person. There needs to be structure so I am suggesting deadlines for each challenge. We are trying to stay on course, and stay focused if we are to accomplish a good strong cohesive body of work for our group. There should be no sense of competition, as this leads to frustration and blocks creativity. We will review strategies for the future. You never know if and when we will be asked to do some publicity.

"Cintas en el Viento"

(Ribbons in the Wind)

Oil on Canvas

24" x 30"

Photo taken in Oaxaca, Mexico