...if you are 3 inches tall.

Here's what 330 canvases look like if you are 3 inches tall. I tried to get canvases that were not individually shrink wrapped, but it was impossible. So, 3 hours later, the canvases are "un-shrink" wrapped and numbered. What's your favorite number between 1 and 2,009? You can buy that painting now, before it's painted for only $250. pre-sale special, just email or call brad@bradnack.com. 805 845-5389. Limit 10 per customer.

297 Lbs. of art supplies

On January 28th, the art supplies arrived and now I can get going. These boxes contain over 2,000 small canvases. To see the paintings that are already started please click here.

Today I feel really optimistic about the whole concept of painting all of these images, however, that feeling is not consistent.  I know that having the materials to actually do the work is a big step and that it is an important step, one that makes me feel cautiously sure that this project will move forward to a successful conclusion. 

However, there are a host of challenges that need to be resolved.  For example,  where do all these painting end up being shown? I would be disappointed to paint for a full year and not have a place to actually show the work. I have figured out that I will need a wall that is about 500 feet long. This wall should be in a place that is accessible to people who would like to see the work. I am still less than a month into this project, but the logistics of the show need to move forward now. Actually, they should already set up. 

So, now I feel less optimistic and more stressed out. Big building - Big wall. 

Brad-

http://picasaweb.google.com/reindeerproject

MUG-SHOTS!

(unfinished Reindeer #58 - 2009)
I know this is going to be overwhelming. I am posting photos of 2,009 paintings in progress. So, as the images progress, I am going to be taking photos of them and then posting them as the year moves along. Last night I dragged out the lights an took 75 photos, then, I spent the rest of the evening uploading and color correcting the images. Next, I broke them down, named and filed them, then I uploaded them to a series of Picasa photo albums.

The overwhelming part is that this process took about 8 hours, and that was for only 75 images. Each painting will probably end up having about 10 photos of  the progress. That, in turn equals 10 times 2,009 or 20,090 photos. 

I am now looking for at least one person to commit to looking at all of them at some point this year. Also, what's up with only 4 followers? That's embarrassing, comon' people, follow the herd!

Who's in?

Waiting Game.

Well, due to popular demand I am posting this update. (Thanks DJT). I was waiting to update the blog until I was able send out a email about the photo albums that I have posted here. I want those collectors who have Reindeers from last year to find there pieces and post a comment, it's an inter-activity type thing.

To see the photo albums, please click right here.

Speaking of waiting, I am waiting for a shipment that includes 297 lbs of art material including 2,200 canvases. So, it is a waiting game. here are the details. From Rock Island to Kansas, so far.
UPS Freight LTL
Shipped To: BRAD NACK
SANTA BARBARA, CA, US
Number of Pieces: 1
Weight: 296 Lbs
Shipped From: DICK BLICK ART MATERIALS
KANSAS CITY ,
KS 01/24/2009
12:00 P.M.
DEPARTURE
268322 UPGF
KANSAS CITY ,
KS 01/24/2009
11:04 A.M.
SHIPMENT HAS ARRIVED AT A SERVICE CENTER.
268322 UPGF
SAINT LOUIS ,
MO 01/24/2009
7:00 A.M.
DEPARTURE
268322 UPGF
SAINT LOUIS ,
MO 01/24/2009
1:14 A.M.
SHIPMENT HAS ARRIVED AT A SERVICE CENTER.
265608 OVNT
ROCK ISLAND ,
IL 01/23/2009
8:00 P.M.
DEPARTURE
265608 OVNT
ROCK ISLAND ,
IL 01/23/2009
10:56 A.M.
ORIGIN
927353 UPGF
ROCK ISLAND ,
IL 01/23/2009
9:52 A.M.
SHIPMENT HAS BEEN PICKED-UP.
927353 UPGF

Photo Albums, click links below.

Reindeer 2008 Portfolio

Reindeer Preview 2009. 

Now, it's time for your help. If you bought a Reindeer in 2008 could you go to the portfolio (the link is above) and leave a comment below your piece letting the world know what your painting is up to right now and what it's plans are for 2009? Thanks in advance for that.

If you are new to this blog, you can get a good idea of what these annual Reindeer Art shows are all about by clicking on the links above and investigating last years herd and the start of this years crew.

I have finally posted all of the Reindeer Paintings from 2008. There are 72 of them. Perhaps that doesn't sound like that big of an accomplishment, but consider this. Every year I plan to create a portfolio of the images from the past year, and I have been doing this for 10 years. This is the first time that I actually spent the time and energy do finish the portfolio, and by Jan. 14, that's pretty good. 

And finally, today I started a film, well video, about the making of the 2009 reindeer show. I have a cool idea for the film, but it is a secret for now.

Like I said, 24 more rolling along, today!

I was able to spend some time at the studio today and get 24 more pieces moved into the sketched in phase. That makes a total of 54 that are past the background color phase. On an interesting note, it occurred to me just moments ago, that to frame 2,009 paintings will cost at least $20,000 to $40,000, depending on the price of the frame. That is assuming that (we) get chopped frames and do all the placing of the paintings and paper the backs and attache the wires, ourselves. I say "we" because I am counting on Tara, to help me out. 

I just asked her "Hey Tara, will you help me frame 2,009 paintings?"

"I guess if we are still married" she replied "and if it's working out, I could help."

That's pretty good. 

So, I have 2 new images here and the other 22 are in the album, Click here!  "Reindeer paintings #2."

Brad-

Slipping Behind.

I don't know what happened, I don't want to let anyone down. The surf was very pretty, not great, but sunny and green. I finished planting an alternative lawn and decided to spend another night in Los Osos. About the surf, the water up here is cold, but perhaps the surf will be really good tomorrow, and those reindeer are waiting for me back in Santa Barbara... Tomorrow I will start at least 20 more, I promise.

It's official!

These paintings started but, far from finished, they are just "sketched in" and each of these will change and evolve over the coming months. Also, as you know, I will be adding a couple thousand more to the collection by September or October.

Some of these that you are seeing here will be total different by the time they are finished, others will keep some of their current attributes.

If you want to keep track of the progress. Reindeer #32 is the yellowish one with dark eyes and a interesting neck. #8 is greenish with a grumpy mouth. The orange one is #3.

I will post more and eventually all 2,009 of them as time goes by.

Thanks to everyone who posted comments on Jan. 6th. (Do I fool myself, part 2). Those comments were full of ideas, check them out below for some fine reading. Brad-

Reflective of the moment.

Yesterday I started to add some line and image to the first batch of reindeer '09. I also realized that to have the entire herd ready for December '09, I need to be finishing up in September. I already knew this, but as I was painting yesterday, I both realized and started to comprehend the reality of doing this. First it seemed simple, then it didn't.

I am going to post some of the new images later today or tomorrow. I was pleased with the progress. It was interesting because I hadn't actually finished cleaning up my work space from last year, and so I pretty much just picked up where I left off last December, or as we say in the art business, "a couple of weeks ago." I try to balance controlling the situation and letting the images develop a life of their own that is why it takes so long to do these pieces.

I was looking forward to 2009 and I still am, however,

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-why-do-they-hate-the-west-so-much-we-will-ask-1230046.html

this situation as reported in The Independent UK, is obviously something that can influence the mood of an image. I suggest this reindeer (I will post an image after I go to the studio and take a photo) is not a painting about the conflict, or a remedy or even a commentary, but it is, reflective of the moment.

So, more later. Brad-

Comments, good and bad Ideas, keep them coming!

Regarding the comments and ideas on yesterdays post.

I think my favorite was the suggestion that 2,009 paintings were far too few and 9,002 would be more in order. And Ray I love your "new math," many ideas so far, worth pondering, thanks for all the typing and posting.

I have decided to move forward, with the project (2,009 - not 9,002, sorry E.) so stay tuned. the documentary film sounds good too, Filmmakers? Let me know if you are out there.

Hey what's up with only one follower? (Sherlock Holmes to name names) Come on' people, be a follower! (I am not sure even what that means exactly) but it's right there to the right of the screen. I need another follower, hopefully today.

Toad The Wet Sprocket, one of my old projects (I was manager) are playing at the Granada Theatre, this Friday, and it is only $25. That's the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara, not the one in Spain.

One last desperate plea for another FOLLOWER! thanks.

Brad-

Do I fool myself? Part 2

Welcome.

Each painting takes about 20 hours, and 2,009 times 20 equals 40,180 hours, so, should I give up now, or should I keep going?
Brad-

Lost but Found!

Well, the lost reindeer got found, it was delayed at customs. So, that's good.

This afternoon, I am going to deliver a 2008 reindeer painting (#4 below) to it's new home. And today I went surfing!

I still have yet to hear back from the canvas manufacturers, so that's the first delay in this project. Yesterday Tara had an idea to show all 2,009 paintings together in a various cities this year, in November and December. Just now as I typed "this year" I realized for the first time that this show is really coming up soon. Also, I’m going to need big walls.

Lost across the Atlantic!

Lost Reindeer, 2008 Series. #18.

Waiting to hear from the canvas suppliers. Also, working on some other paintings (Zorro), and trying to track down a Reindeer that got lost on it's way to England.

Perhaps, I fool myself?

Today I am re-thinking the idea of actually painting 2,009 paintings. It still seems like a good idea, however, I am also thinking that it may seem like a really bad idea at various points between now and next winter. I think that I will have a series of openings in a number of cities, and an early preview in Oct. So that gives me 10 months. I feel behind already.

I need to paint 6.7 paintings a day, and they each take about 20 hours. That’s 300 days, times 6.7 paintings for a total of 2,009 paintings. Also, 6.7 paintings times 20 hours =137 hours per 6.7 paintings. So, I need 137 hours a day, with no breaks for 300 days to finish by Oct. By the way 300 days times 137 hours = 41,100 hours. Maybe I will need some help. -Brad

Jan 1st, 2009

I am starting the 2009 Reindeer Art Series today, Jan.1, 2009. This year I plan to paint 2,009 Reindeer paintings. Today I painted 73 backgrounds and I also emailed 3 canvas companies to request pricing on an additional 2000 canvases. -Brad