Today is the day of the theme reveal for the
Blogging from A to Z Challenge. Two years ago, I decided to paint an animal a day for the A to Z Challenge and was very pleased with the results. I wound up having a nice group of acrylic paintings that became a show for several gallery locations. I'm still thinking about combining those paintings into a children's book.
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| "Child Viewing Animals A to Z Show" ©Mary Montague Sikes |
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| ©Mary Montague Sikes |
Although the painting a day became quite a grind with which to keep up, it was lots of fun and I loved the result. That got me thinking about doing another painting challenge for this year. I have a new novel out,
Evening of the Dragonfly, that features an artist as the heroine. Throughout much of the book, Farrah Ferand is creating paintings for her first one-person exhibition. I began to consider, "What if?". What if Farrah came into my studio and painted for 26 days during the month of April? What if each letter of the alphabet sparked the section of a painting?
I don't know if this is going to work, but I want to try it. I plan to do fewer paintings but larger ones than I did for "Animals A to Z." If all goes as planned, I should have eight paintings or more for my exhibit of Farrah Ferand's paintings.
What do you think about this idea? Do you think it will spark some sales of my book? Do you think I can meet the challenge of creating an exhibition of art work by the main character in my book?
I hope so.
25 comments:
Another ambitious project! Those animal paintings were amazing. Hope this one goes as planned, because you'll have another winner on your hands.
Oh, I like this idea a lot! You make merely writing a little post sound like child's play. I can't wait to see what you come up with this month!
I remember your paintings two years ago. They were absolutely wonderful, Mary. I hope you try...it'll be such a treat. A win-win for your book too.
I'm doing Inventions by Women this year.
Hi Monti - I loved your animal paintings they were extraordinary and I certainly hope you put them into a book in due course.
But your idea .. sounds great and I so look forward to seeing how the whole adds up into the 8 paintings .. fun ..
Definiteley go for it .. cheers Hilary
That's quite a challenge. When I was painting, it took me months to finish one. But, it sounds like a good idea. Haven't seen it done. So, it's good to be the first one.
Absolutely. What a unique combination of art forms. Good luck on the Challenge!
Play off the Page
Quite an endeavor! Best of luck!
Sounds like a great idea, but very ambitious! But if you can do an animal a day, I bet you can do this.
This sounds like such a creative approach to A to Z! It's nice to meet you, Mary! I'm your newest follower. See you at the challenge!
Julie
Alex, thank you. The animals were so much fun!
Holly, I hope I don't disappoint!
Sharon, thank you for the lovely compliment. Inventions by Women is a fabulous topic.
Hilary, thanks! I'm happy you liked the animals!
Helen, it's going to be a challenge, but it will be worth it if it becomes the show I want.
Mary, I love it when I can combine the art and the writing. Thanks for commenting.
Marilyn, it will be challenging but worth it, I hope. Thanks!
A brilliant idea, Mary. I remember seeing your paintings last year, and to hear that you were able to have them for a Gallery Showing is wonderful. I love your idea for this years Challenge, and look forward to your posts as your own guest artist Farrah Ferand.
I enjoyed browsing your blog. I was once Georgia O'Keeffe...while working on my MEd in Studio Art. Your Georgia works are stunning.
I am visiting from the AtoZ Theme Reveal Blog Hop.
Sue at CollectInTexas Gal
AtoZ 2015 Challenge
AJ's wHooligans
Jerralea, this will be harder than the animals because I'm going to combine several letters into one painting. Thanks!
Empty Nest Insider, thanks for the follow! I'll be looking for you.
Oh I think this is a fabulous fun idea and can't wait to see what you get up to.
Very talented you are! Those pictures you did a few years back for the challenge were nicely done!! Your theme this year sounds really interesting! Good luck with it!
betty
I don't know whether your A to Z project will work for book sales, but I'm sure you will pull the feat off successfully and it certainly can't hurt. I think it's a very ingenious and creative idea that will have some kind of benefit in the future.
Great thematic approach to A to Z!
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Wrote By Rote
Sue, thanks so much for your kind words. I love the work of Georgia O'Keeffe and am creating a new painting for the workshop right now because I've sold all from the "Like Georgia" series.
Deborah, thanks!
Betty, thank you! Hope I can keep up with it all.
Arlee, thanks so much! I'm excited.
That sounds like a fun idea. Will be fun to see what you do.
Thanks, Christine, for visiting!
Lovely theme! And very colorful :)
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
Multicolored Diary - Epics from A to Z
MopDog - The crazy thing about Hungarians...
That is a unique take indeed. I am not qualified to comment if it will help book sales, but it sure will make for captivating posts that bloggers will want to come back to even after the challenge is over.
Best wishes,
Nilanjana.
Madly-in-Verse
Thank you, A Tarkabarka and Nilanjarna!
What a super idea! I loved the paintings you did of the animals, and I'm looking forward to your book of them. :) You're so talented, Monti!
Marian, thank you, and thanks so much for visiting!
I remember your animal paintings and loved them. This sounds like such an amazing idea! Looking forward to following along with it and seeing your new paintings.
Hi Mary, Actually I think you should try both.. :) separately or together Yes! maybe one year do the character paintings throughout and next year do an animal set. Then maybe you can combine both years in one, say character of A on left page and next years animal A on the other side. Ya? Maybe? It would give a whole year to be inside the mind, Like what would your character do with animal A? The animal paintings your showing are adorable. Make the book with them. Thanks for sharing. See you tomorrow.
http://sytiva.blogspot.com/
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