[lsalvatore]

I've sadly come to the conclusion that painting is not a relief from coding for me. Coding is translating data logic to keyboard strokes, and then painting is conceptualizing very different abstract shapes into brush strokes. They are actually so similar in concept that the coding wears out the part of my brain that would be really helpful for painting. I've spent many days split between coding and painting and I've yet to come out the experience feeling extremely worn out at one of the two. Of course I'm talking about representational painting, not just making random marks. I've had many nights of making random marks with brush strokes and all I create is a mess. Perhaps I need to try to completely lose the analytical part of my brain during painting.

[obelix_]

The subject you pick and the reaction of the people around you to your initial attempts makes a big difference here.

People underestimate this.

So pick subjects that interest you or are sure to tickle/provoke/excite the people you intend to show the work too.