It’s time again for #30x30DirectWatercolor! But I have a confession to make :)

This will be the seventh year of #30×30! (You can look back at my past years HERE.) And of course I’m talking about our annual online painting marathon where we encourage each other to make thirty paintings in thirty days, and post them publicly at the end of every day.

The positing is really the key.

We do encourage people to use our Facebook group, but of course the world has moved on and we’re almost all on Instagram. Maybe even that is old news; all my friends in gaming are jumping on this new artist’s app Cara. But it doesn’t matter where or how you share – use your social media of choice.

We love to call it; sharing, this thing we do in online. But I think it’s really the (very) human need for praise. Encouragement. I’ve joked #30×30 is a mutual admiration society – but it’s not really a joke. It was an oversight, leaving support-group-of-your-peers out of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

Making art is such an ephemeral process. Not just, Are we making good work? but, Are we doing the right thing? Are we living up to the challenge of living our best lives? Sometimes it feels to me that art is not a valuable way to spend the coin of your days. Other times I think it’s the *only* sane response to the universe. Being human, and being creative are practically synonymous. There’s some debate if we should say we’re higher than other animals. And this year we’re not making a good case for our species. But if we do have anything special at all, it’s got to be creativity.

And that’s what I have to bring up right off the bat.

This year, I’m going to do oil paintings for my personal #30x30DirectWatercolor.

I know, I know, it’s right there in the title; watercolor.

And when Uma and I founded the event, I was completely, manically, 100%, sure; I would spend the rest of my life making watercolors.

But it turns out I didn’t know myself that well? or; You can’t keep a true artist in a lane? or, We must grow as artists or wither on the vine? Or however you want to say it. The reality is, I’ve been suffering a lot of dread these last few months about this topic. After travelling around teaching, and writing a few books about watercolor, and generally making such a big deal about watercolor, naturally – I have a lot of friends who love watercolor!

It seems like a betrayal to discover that I’m presently obsessed with oils.

(Just look at that thickness! It’s the complete opposite of washes on paper. So juicy!)

But of course; it’s not just oils. I’m getting quite interested in sculpture. I wrote a novel(la) last year. I’ve recently done some dabbling with acrylics. I’m still doing digital art in my spare time, and I’m still fascinating with collaborating with AI. (Now, that’s a dangerous topic around artists :)}

I’m having a real problem focusing on watercolor. It’s like I’m doing anything but. (Including playing too much video games).

It seems ridiculous to announce “I’ve said everything I have to say in watercolor.” Clearly there’s more than one lifetime to be spent on any media.

I also don’t want to make a value judgement like, oil is better than water. Even though there are a lot of lovely things about oils – the color you mix is correct every time, no drying to a different shade – you can alter your painting drastically – the thickness? (did I mention the thickness?) Honestly – I am creating mixed neutrals in oil that I could never get in watercolor. That’s on me I know, not on the medium. But regardless, my color sensitivity is evolving. And the total lack of fear about mistakes. The ability to scrape off and paint it again – even days later. This is really such a relief, I feel kind of dumb for all those years of saying “I don’t care about mistakes, just rip up the painting and do another one!” < What was I talking about???

I know, some people may feel, if I’m not making videos about watercolor, then why do they even bother to follow me? (No judgment from me! I don’t know! :)

But the truth is; I’ve come to a position where I can’t enjoy myself in watercolor. It’s very weird for me, as I know I loved ever second of it in the past. And who knows; this strange mindset might shift again, and where will I be then?

Today, at age 55, I have realized I should talk less, and paint more.

So for that reason, and because my work is in flux and I’m unsure where it’s going, my other proclamation is; I’m doing #30×30 for myself this year.

This means I won’t be making any process videos, or talking technique. The old tips and tricks are still here :) but my work is in flux. I can’t give any advice right now on how to paint. I need to spend some time finding out the hard way.

I hope you understand, and you’ll keep following your own muse, and that we’ll still see you over on #30×30 Direct Watercolor Facebook. The most important thing is helping each other, and staying engaged with art.

Thanks; ~marc