Sketchbook Tips, How to Choose What to Paint

This week I was asked how do I come up with subject matter everyday?
It is by far the most difficult part of the project bar none.
In 2013 I did a month of only food.

It was great and got me interested in a daily painting habit. This would be a good
way to structure yourself. Choose a theme every month and stick to it, you could even
map out the month before hand so when you are ready to go you aren't struggling with that.
Personally I enjoy the randomness of it. I like to do what feels important to me each day.

For instance, this was last summer. The nasturtiums are from the farmers market and since we
were on vacation I was inspired by people on the beach. This way the sketchbook becomes a visual
diary. I can look at these paintings and remember my days on Cape Cod.

Here it was Frida Kahlo's Birthday and it felt right to paint her that day.

This spread was a cold rainy spring weekend in April. Some of them turn out to be messes.
I don't always like what I create but it's a notation of a day in my life. It just doesn't matter
if they all aren't perfect, I learn something about painting, color, design every day, even if it
turns out to be something I don't ever want to do again. Failures are learning opportunities.

A good  solution if you are feeling tired or busy is to just not deal with color.
I often just paint the paper black and draw some flowers  or some words stating my frustration.
It's meditative and helps me move on.

It's great to have a staple list of things you know you love to paint or draw. Like
flowers, people, self portraits, animals, lettering, anything. You can always fall back
on that list. But there still will be days when you just sit  there completely flummoxed..
Just put some lines down. Pick 2 colors and just go, the next day might work out better.
And have fun!!