I’ve been making one small painting every single day for the last 4,910 days.

After thirteen years, I've no intention of stopping. Having cancer as a young adult, I discovered living is not just surviving. At age 29, I was a lead artist in the giftware industry when I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After six rounds of chemotherapy, one month of radiation, and now, years of monitoring to make sure I’m still cancer free, my perspective has changed. Young and faced with an existential crisis, I questioned, who am I? What does it all mean? Psychologically, existentially, transcendentally - what can a life amount to? I was acutely aware of all the time I’d wasted and the things I put off - like painting. But, like a lot of artists, I had trouble working up momentum. After all I had been through, the idea of starting an artistic project and failing was terrifying. I had a moment of clarity and pared the creative process down to this one idea - show up for the job. I treat creativity like a disembodied spirit and that I simply must be present daily to receive it. I started showing up for my new job in 2009 and without excuse I wake up every day at five and I paint.

Kennedy grew up along the northeast edge of the Hockomock Swamp in Massachusetts. She received her BA from Roger Williams University in Graphic Design, a BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Illustration, and an MFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2D.  She lives 9 nautical miles from Boston in World’s End in an old fishing camp with her Wheaten Terrier, Olive the dog.  

www.lisadariakennedy.com

@lisa_daria_kennedy

How has your relationship with art changed over time?

After 5,000+ consecutive days of painting, I’ve learned to embrace the practice. Before the daily painting project, I approached art making cautiously, if not reluctantly. I knew that I was never the best in the room, but the project gave me permission to get out of my own way and work with what I had. When I created a set of rules for the daily painting project, which included the time of day to paint, the subject, paint brand, type, colors, painting surface, the space, and painting tricks, my relationship to art making changed and I believe that the process is the product.
Where do you find inspiration? What drives your work?

I find inspiration in the routine. Routines are both grounding and freeing. You know what will happen if you don’t paint or create every day, but we have no idea what can happen if we do. The daily painting project has created countless opportunities to connect with like-minded people I wouldn't have otherwise met, through teaching, exhibiting, and an online community.  

What is your favorite part of your process?

Showing up for the job. Just show up, it’s that simple.  
What is one thing about your art and/or practice that our audience may not know?

I paint every single day including holidays, when I’m traveling, and even if I’m sick. I carve out time in my day and I wake up one hour earlier than I naturally would to make time for the daily practice, it’s a stolen moment, even the dog is still asleep. After the daily painting is done, I go on to work on other, bigger paintings, which abandoned all the daily painting rules.
What does your dream piece/project look like?

An installation of all 5,000 paintings! Maybe more realistically an installation of 365 consecutive days and this exhibit would accompany a residency in which anyone can stop in and watch the daily painting happen in person or virtually, as well as paint along to start their own daily practice.