Yes, I agree. And I can hardly wait to try out my new French easel and do some plein aire painting on our upcoming vacation to Mexico. (I know, I'm strange.)

Carolyn,

At times I have felt as you described, not feeling like painting and uninspired.

This often works for me to get back into the groove. I start thumbing through past issues of art magazines, illustrator annuals and reproductions of the great masters from the past. Reading the articles and looking at the work of others usually inspires me and gets me back on track. Watching another artist demonstrate their style on a video tape, is also a good way to get in the mood.

When I look at the work of certain artists who have acheived a much greater handling of the craft than I. Such as illustrator Michael Deas, I look at his work and think Wow, what fantastic work he produces, I would like to be able to paint that well someday. This only makes me want to work harder and get moving forward.

Holidays are a good thing, but remember, you have to pay the Buddha. Drop a few coins in the slot every day, and the Buddha will pay you back. The Buddha ain't picky, mind you, you can drop in slugs. But he's counting!

I am painting a lot these days, and I totally agree that painting daily (or just about) has exponentially helped my confidence at the canvas. If I had to guess as to why, well there's a lot of little reasons, but I think the single most is finally having a familiarity with the paints - not forgeting their names, not knowing what a paint's name was once on my palette, not recognizing what paint color produces what "goal" color. Now I'm feeling a lot of progress in all of those categories.

As the "conductor", I feel more in command of the instruments I'm making play. I didn't expect this to happen - and I don't think I thought about it until Tim posted this thread. I know I have soooooo much to learn yet, but it's solace and a hint of exuberance when you see yourself learning. I've accidently learned that painting "daily" puts both your left and right brain in high gear.

Well, thanks a lot to everyone for your words of wisdom. (Hope I didn't hijack this thread!)

It must feel so good to really have the desire to paint every day. I think it must have a little something to do with confidence. And I suppose working every day and really getting to understand what to do and how to do it is the best way to build up that confidence. It all makes sense now. ;)

Kinstler said (in my recollection), if you want a long vacation every time after finishing a painting, you'd better quit painting completely.

Mao said, (I'm not pro-Mao, but some of his words are right - I like this slogan): Firstly, don't be afraid of hardship; secondly, defy death.

R. Nixon quoted Mao's famous verses:
Ten thousand years are too long,
Siege the day, siege the hour.

After this basic thing is to work efficiently.
Buit for some people, need more to recreate before
he can re-create.