ear·nest1 /ˈɜrnɪst/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ur-nist] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1. serious in intention, purpose, or effort; sincerely zealous: an earnest worker.
2. showing depth and sincerity of feeling: earnest words; an earnest entreaty.
3. seriously important; demanding or receiving serious attention. –noun
4. full seriousness, as of intention or purpose: to speak in earnest.
Students often feel that only "heroic" subject matter is worthy of taking up studio time. I hear plenty of moaning and groaning about still life objects, and about drawing the same things multiple times. How you approach the subject is much more important than the subject itself. Twenty-five years into serious painting, I still work on the magic that is painting...I work on texture, lighting, creating space, making edges...all the things I talk about to beginning students. And I don't always do it with a "Big Idea" in mind....sometimes I just paint what's handy or interesting. All of this informs and shapes what you do.
Check out some of these paintings:
Van Gogh is an obvious choice---he is nothing if not earnest. Of course, he had reasons for choosing the subjects he chose, but he infuses those simple subjects with an intensity that is raw emotion.
These little paintings by Manet are often overlooked. I supposed they were intended as little studies for larger paintings, etc. There is a freshness and immediacy to them that is lovely to behold.
There is a contemporary movement about that focuses on completing a painting every day----so a number of artists work on these little paintings that are about postcard size and can be completed in one sitting. I often do 
this with leftover paint on my palette---particularly if I'm working in acrylic. I keep these little wooden flowers in my studio---my mom gave them to me---they were whittled by a friend from home. It's a little 5x7" canvas panel. One thing I have noticed about doing these is that it's good for me to do a little detail work sometimes---I tend to use big brushes and not focus on details. So, some of these force me to stretch a little in a different direction.
There are a number of artist doing this painting a day process, but I want to mention only a couple. Duane Keiser originated the idea and posts the images on his blog. Postcards from Provence is another example of the concept.
this with leftover paint on my palette---particularly if I'm working in acrylic. I keep these little wooden flowers in my studio---my mom gave them to me---they were whittled by a friend from home. It's a little 5x7" canvas panel. One thing I have noticed about doing these is that it's good for me to do a little detail work sometimes---I tend to use big brushes and not focus on details. So, some of these force me to stretch a little in a different direction.There are a number of artist doing this painting a day process, but I want to mention only a couple. Duane Keiser originated the idea and posts the images on his blog. Postcards from Provence is another example of the concept.
Take a look, learn and enjoy!
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