100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Carol, 100/100, Carol Nelson Fine Art


Day 100

This is it! 100 portraits finished! That picture of me was taken last November with me holding my camera at arm's length. In the portrait I somehow managed to take off about a decade. Who needs a face lift - I can just paint my way to youth and vitality. LOL

So now what? First, we need to finish the voting for 91-99. Don't vote for me - I don't want any sympathy votes. Please vote by Tues evening. On Wednesday, I will post the photos again of all the group winners and we can vote one last time to pick the Grand Poobah of the 100 portraits project. Imagine that bragging rights that person will have!!!!

I'm sure some of you who sent in photos are disappointed your photo didn't get in. I still have on file all the photos that were sent to me. If you still want me to paint a portrait at the regular rate of $100 plus $10 shipping, just drop me an email at carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.

What did I learn from all this work? I feel my skill as a portrait painter improved. I think I have a "style." It's characterized by strong brushwork and imaginative color choices. Many of you who are artists are inspired to start a project of your own. I think that is great. I certainly didn't start out to be this great inspirational figure, but I'm humbled and appreciative that some of you think of me that way.

My other goal was to increase the traffic to my blog and website. Many of your signed up to be followers of my blog and to receive email updates via Feedblitz. Many also signed on my website to received my free newsletter. It's nice to think that my tiny voice in the wilderness of the internet is a little louder.

I ended up selling, or giving away to our kids, a total of 61 portraits. Many of the unsold portraits were sent in by other artists to help me get the project off the ground. Thank you for doing that. In this economy, in a slow time of the year for art sales (the first quarter is always a killer for me), I am happy with the sales I made, especially to folks in six foreign countries. The power of the internet is amazing.

And finally, and most importantly, I feel I have gotten to "know" many of you through your fantastic comments. I thank you for all the support and prayers sent our way when Morris had his kidney transplant. Your kind words of encouragement were so appreciated. I think Sherry (Autumn Leaves) looked at my blog early in the morning every single day and left 100 delightful comments. Sherry, you even found something positive to say about portraits that were a little "off."

So after this project is wrapped up, and the Grand Poobah chosen, I have several paintings that are waiting to make their debut. They are mostly abstracts done at my workshops and some that I'm trying to get ready for the outdoor show season which starts in less than 4 weeks.

Thanks to all of you for coming along on my fantastic journey.
Carol

35 comments:

LindaHunt said...

I have enjoyed your portraits so very much...looking forward to your new paintings.

Ishrath said...

What an event, Carol. I am so proud of you. Its so hard not to vote for your portrait.
:-)

I have also noticed that as days went by, your style that was once pronounced Fauvism... became a bit more life like... and the colors toned down too. Not sure if I am wrong.

Thanks for this lovely journey.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Congrats! What a feeling it must be to have set such a challenge and to have seen it through to the end.

(I like your portrait the best!! No sympathy vote here...)

Becky Brocato said...

Congratulations! What an awesome project! I enjoyed looking at the portraits every few days, and I am amazed at all the COLOR that is used! Great job!

Susan Roux said...

Congratulations Carol! Its quite an endeavor you tackled and such an accomplishment to achieve it. Bravo!

I like that you've shared what this experience has done for you, the things you've learned, the inspiration you've caused. I have noticed other bloggers making the decision to do 100 of something through 100 days. I think of you.

Thanks for sharing your journey with us. I like what you've decided to do with continued portraits. Its a nice transition. I wondered if you would feel relieved or empty when the end arrived. I think exhilarated and accomplished, in a humble way, is closer to the feeling.

Congrats again!

Debbie said...

Congratulations on the completion of the project - I love mine of my daughter!! And even though you were very good when you started, it is evident that you have grown - practice is good for us all! You are an inspiration!

SarahBowie said...

The self-portrait could have used a BIT more purple but...it's otherwise great, smile. Taa-daa!!! 100!!!

Autumn Leaves said...

Carol, thanks so much for the mention. When I follow, I follow! And nothing like some fine blog reading and fabulous art adoration to get me going with my morning coffee. I think you painted you beautifully. There is a spark of impishness in your eyes that I love! I may just have to take you up on that offer one of these days (when money flows a wee bit easier...).

Vern Schwarz said...

Carol what a great post and a ton of great paintings completed. I truly enjoyed watching this all unfold and think you did an amazing job. Bravo my friend.

Dana Cooper said...

Wow!!!!!!!!!
Take a well deserved bow Carol, you have been an inspiration to all of us to take on such a monumental project!

Amber L. Bailey said...

Love this self portrait, and congrats on the completion of your project!

Pam Holnback said...

Incredible! You look great in person and in portrait!

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

Congratulations Carol! YIPPEE!! You DID it!! I think it's fine as artists that we can take a couple years off here and there...lol I already know which is MY all time fav! What a ride this was!

David Larson Evans said...

A monumental feat congratulation I have enjoyed the showing.

Paintings by Irit Bourla said...

What a great self portrait and very interesting pep.
The today coffee, with you, had a better flavor.
Paint on, IB

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on completing your goal! It has been fun to follow you through out this project.

Shawna from Yellowknife

Kaylyn Munro said...

I hate picking favorites of anything! But in this last group, I gotta go with Mandy at 92. Somehow she sums up the whole project nicely!

Spectacular job. Your work has solidified over the course of the project. You are handling the colorist approach with great sophistication, exuberant but respectful of the rules of color and light. I'd like to do the same thing...since I'm lazy and easily distracted, maybe I'll do 5 in 5 months!!

Gwen Bell said...

Congratulations! And how wonderful to end your project with a Self-Portrait. I've been one of the steady followers of this work and, while you started out as a good artist, you have become an exceptional Portrait Artist with a very distinctive style. Each week I watched the work get better and better. I hope you continue to receive Portraits as commissions. Off to vote!

Claire Beadon Carnell said...

I can't even begin to tell you how much I have enjoyed your portrait challenge, Carol. I LOVE that you ended it all with a self-portrait!
I am looking forward to seeing your new work, but think it will take a while not to look for those little faces each day in my blog roll :)
Your work is fantastic!!!!!

Edward Burton said...

Congratulations, Carol! This was an amazing project - well done!

Bonnie Heather said...

Congratulations Carol! What an awesome accomplishment.

Dewberry Fine Art said...

I have looked forward to every one. The commitment has been inspiring. I understand the importance of this kind of work. Thank you!

Myrna Wacknov said...

What an impressive accomplishment! I hope you plan to put them all together in a self published book. A wonderful ending with a great self portrait!

Angela Elledge said...

What a journey this has been and I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to watch you accomplish your goal: APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE!! As I told you earlier, I am excited that others (and maybe me one day) have begun to set similar goals. I love that you ended the challenge with your husband and your self-portrait, they are both outstanding! Thanks for sharing your hard work and dedication; I have thoroughly enjoyed this journey.

Earthula said...

Congratulations, Carol! That is a wonderful accomplishment!
I have really enjoyed watching your paintings.

Carol C said...

Congratulations on wrapping up an ambitious project, and doing it so well!!!

Renee Brennan said...

Congratualtions Carol!
It has been a pleasure to see the portraits almost daily! Thank you for painting my little buddy Sean #38.....the honor of the only portrait with a lizard!

Cheers!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on finishing! I really enjoyed the series and you have been on my blogroll for a while! I look forward to seeing the other wonderful stuff you create! Thanks for the ride!

All images on this site are copyright (c) Suzanne McLean. said...

Congrats on completing all 100 portraits, Carol. It has been quite a fascinating journey. Thanks so much for sharing!

Lori McNamara said...

Congratulations on your completion, I have enjoyed watching your progress!

Anonymous said...

Honey, you are amazing; well done in completing this monumental challenge. And after seeing a number of these portraits last weekend, I can say they're even better in person.
Woo hoooo! Way to go!!

beckielboo said...

Carol, I am so disappointed that it is over & at the same time I am SO PROUD OF YOU!

I too have watched with anticipation throughout the entire process, even wrote about you on my blog several weeks ago! I have really appreciated it that you showed us the reference photo. Not only did that make it more interesting, but really showed your talent, too!

I think Sherry (Autumn Leaves) is the best comment leaver on the net. I hope you reward her with something special - she sure makes everyone feel special!

I know Suzanne Berry has an idea based upon your project. Please let us know when others follow suit. It is so much fun following along. In fact, are you planning another project?

And finally, I have to laugh out loud at Kaylyn - making a comment to do 5 painting in 5 months! Now maybe I could keep up with her, just what was her number? Ha! Ha!

You have entertained and inspired so many of us. A BIG THANK YOU, Carol, you deserve it.
Beckie

Unknown said...

Hip Hip Hooray for Carol! What a journey and conquest for you. You're an inspiration for all us us. Congratulations!

Dean Grey said...

Congratulations Carol!!!

You did it!

It seems just like yesterday you posted portrait number one!

Go you!

So when are you doing "100 Portraits in 100 Days" part II?

Kidding! Kind of!

-Dean

Bobbi Heath said...

Congratulations, Carol.

What a TRIUMPH!

And an inspiration.

I keep getting wonderful comments on the portrait you did of me for the DSFDS blog. Everyone thinks it is awesome.