I began documenting my paintings when we bought our previous computer (about ten years ago) and a digital camera. As a painter who often explores the same subject, from different angles and in various sizes, with and without shadows, in warm colours and in cool, from above and below, I replaced the assigned digital camera number, so instead of "DSCN3045", I saved my image as "Red Canoe5x7", or "Red Canoe, Dancing Reflections" or "Red Canoe, Dark Shadows". With the image and name, it was easy enough to tell apart the 20 red canoes I had created. At least it was until we bought a new computer last year; when the files were transferred, the computer re-assigned the original digital camera number. I now photograph each painting, and print off a hard copy of the image, with title, size, date of completion and which gallery it goes to. So much for going paperless!

"If you look into the past of a successful painter you will find square miles of canvas" Charles Hawthorne

It must be wonderful, the luxury of fretting over such inane minutia as "how to number my pieces". Toward what end? For the intern historians who will follow after you, and must be tasked with the unfortunate duty of cataloging your enormous contribution to the cultural heritage of the specie?

I would be satisfied with just a few years of happiness, before I die. A few years spent in the company of a woman I could love. Together, we should fill our own museum. Time. Time is the ultimate luxury. And from cradle to grave, there isn't so much for any of us. Spend it better...

~DM

Robert, I've been numbering my paintings since I decided to paint full-time thirty years ago. I started with 01 and am now at last painting 0852. It's simple sequence. In my records and on the reverse side of the painting I place the number first, then the title and copyright sign, my name, the size and medium and if framed, the framed size. I'm sure the collectors could care less about the numbers, but to me it's a good indication of work I've completed over the years and a way of keeping myself on track.

I have been numbering my paintings for years. It's not cumbersome

When I started out (30 yrs ago), I kept track of artworks (sequence number, size, medium, title, price, owner if it sold) in a journal. Then I bought a piece of software called Filemaker Pro and that made it easy to create a database where all I needed to do was enter the data for each new work in the appropriate fields. Been using it for 20-some years now and so glad I have it! I can look back through my 4000 rough sketches and 1500 larger works and find whatever information I need. It even stores a reference image of the work.

I am with Damar on this one. Can't see much joy or value in numbering paintings. Love it, create it and send it out into the world – that’s the artist’s contribution. Just keep photos and paperwork associated with shows and sales and someone down the line will be able to figure it all out if needed. The time we live in is not in danger of being under recorded.

.... and another with Damar and Tatjana. Being a hobbyist for years and having sent dozens of paintings "out" that I have no record of whatsoever, it seems pointless at this late date to number my limited body of work. It's limited for a purpose, because not having to paint for a meager living allows me the freedom to write, also a passion.
Do writers keep tally like that? No, they simply list their books.
Some composers number their compositions but often as not the piece becomes recognizable with a title instead. Would Fur Elise be as appealing if it were better known as Bagatelle No. 25? Or does Symphony No. 9 in D minor strike a chord of recognition more so than Ode to Joy?
If one is going to number paintings surely there is some meaningful reason beyond simple bookkeeping; possibly necessary if you work with galleries.
Not numbering our work demands greater effort to come up with a decent title for a painting. "Untitled," regardless by whom, annoys me to no end. If it is worth doing it deserves a title.
The only things that truly need numbers are phones, addresses, scientific experiments, and highways.

I see A C A T L, and 13. 0.0.0. 13, but can't figure it out.
Guess I wouldn't make it in the CIA!

From what I know of the Mayan Calendar, it is in no way disgraced because of being greatly misunderstood by sensationalists. No credible scholar gave credence to the doomsday scenario. Nor did the surviving Mayans.

The fact remains that nobody to this day has a clue about how the Mayans were able create such an accurate calendar without precision instruments. It is a remarkable achievement predicting a Long Count and a Short Count and 5,000 year cycles, eclipses, and the one quarter day per year that dictates our Leap Year.

The Mayans seem to have known that while Leap Day falls every four years, we skip it on years like 1900 and 1800, but keep it on 2000 and on 3000.

"Being an artist means not numbering or counting, but ripening like a tree, which doesn't force its sap, standing confidently in storms, not afraid that summer may not come." (Rainer Maria Rilke)

The Mayans had help from extraterrestrial visitors. At least, that's what ancient alien theorists believe.

I took a quick look at the painting...looking for the date....It didn't jump out at me, not that I really expected it to. But it made me wonder how easy it is for others to find the hidden messages I often put in my paintings like 'Peace' 'Love' or 'Joy'. Sometimes even I have a hard time finding the words after a bit of time elapses. I like to think that one day someone will suddenly spot the word while viewing the painting and feel a connection with me and feel 'warm and fuzzy' over receiving the message :) Well, at least, I hope I am bringing some, love, joy or peace into their homes, whether they know it or not! For now it's just my little secret!

It appears that "Facing West" was the 13th painting of 2000. It is a guess because I could not find the 2 but you are not old enough for 1000 and 3000 has not arrived... perhaps. I have a numbering system that is simple enough and I am consistent with it. I number my paintings and drawings with the materials used eg, WI (Watercolour and Ink), my initials KB, enough numbers to leave room for possible thousands 000 and the date 13. So recently I recorded my last paintings for 2012 and it was WKB000612. I gasped at the lack of production this year.....6. I will turn that around this year by eliminating distractions such as teaching and commission work. Paint, paint, paint. Beginning today I am on a new road.

. I find a simple yet efficient system of keeping track of my paintings is 3-fold. When i finish the piece, I write on it`s back the title, and date , i.e.: "Vermont Farm" , 02-27-12." Then In a simple 7"x10 "ledger goes the title, size, medium and date, plus a very brief description Ex. "Vermont Farm'. Fall colors. Dirt road down left passes ancient barn center left. Split rail fence leading into field right center. Forest - Right. Cumulus clouds." This simple bookkeeping is all I need.

Let me add a kink into the system. I have executed artworks that evolved from photo-collages to painting to sculpture to graphic alterations to ceramic interpretations to pen and ink to software manipulations. Those period/cyclical works were distinguished not only by the techniques but primarily by the chronology of dates. I want 25 thousand years down the line for the discoverers of my chefs d'oeuvres to know the sequence of my evolution. In that regard I consider such numbering as having the only importance. Being a collector of dates my only problem is obtaining a chunk from the Lascaux or Chauvet caves for carbon dating! I still suspect Picasso snuck in & did them... lol

This is my method. First, I do not number consecutively, but randomly. Also, I exaggerate the number, so it seems I have produced more works than I have. And, finally, I lie about the date of completion. This all has a purpose.

Through the future, when I have been recognized as one of the "Masters" of this period, my system will create chaos in the world of collectors and art historians, who will endlessly attempt to unravel the truth. Not to forget, the "cliff hanger" anticipation of discovering yet another "previously unknown" painting by petite moi.

Add to all of this, I am certifiably MPS (multiple personality), and each persona has a distinct style, choice of materials, and subject matter. But wait -- there's more!

Because I stretch my own canvas, using a particular cloth and stretcher materials, and because I keep a large quantity of prepared panels available, I expect to die with many many clean panels left unused. Thus, it will be possible for future forgers to fill in some of those missing gaps in my numbering system. Oh, did I forget to mention, I don't sign anything -- although "George" and "Debby" do, but they're not the most creative nor prolific of my personalities.

Acatl is the day. The Mayan Long Calendar date 13.0.0.0.13 translates to January 3, 2013.

I have record of my oil paintings since 1969-date and numbered. They are listed in a school-like notebook that has lasted all these years. I also have boxes of photos that will probably be thrown out when I die. I have never kept track of my watercolors as they were my "hobby".The last few years I have purchased a sketchbook for the new year and put sketches, thumbnails, ideas and writing about what is happening in my life. It is a journal that I can refer back to for future work in any year. I date my work for my own edification to see changes in my work. I only put current work in shows so the dates don't get in my way. I do all this for me and my own growth as an artist. No one else would care----maybe 500 years from now it might matter to someone.

Wow Fun and Games.... I found a little 13 but only after spending an hour trying to decide if you'd invented a Gennesque version of Roman numerals in another area. Also discovered an oblique line CAN be just another brushstroke.

Great Fun. Thanks Robert.

Warmest regards for the New Year to my Canadian friends.

Basically, you've substituted letters of the alphabet for numbers:

Depending on your particular succession of numerology it is the 1st month, 31st day, and 20th painting of 2012, or the 31st painting completed on the 20th day. You've suggested before you work quickly so I'm inclined to believe it is probably the latter, I don't know. That's another thing with numbering ... if you're going to number them you need to make your methodology clear.

Honestly, doesn't numbering paintings have to have some significance beyond placing a collective body of work? Okay, I can look back and recall when I painted something, but so? Those who work with several different galleries as you do must keep track of what you have sent out; that may be the only benefit of numbering.

I found it!

Acatl is under the bushes to the left. This is the Mayan symbol for year of the reed.
13.0.0.0.13 is under the building on the right. That date is January 3, 2013 according to Mayan count.

13.0.0.0 is December 21, 2012. Add another 13 days on to that and you get 13.0.0.0.13.

This was almost too easy!

The code is under the building and reads "13.0.0.0.13" Exactly what that means, I don't know, but there it is. Maybe it's the year, the number of martinis you've had, how many times you watched "Wheel of Fortune", the current outside temperature, and how many hours it took to do the painting?

1300013 - I grew up with a father who hid his signature on every card he sent me!

I do not number my paintings. I do sign date and name; however, my name has changed and is much longer now. For my penwork I've been putting month and year (09-2012) on quite a few. I do like to leave a few works unsigned (penwork) because I believe I am much too egotistical and it does me good to do a little work anonymously. I'm not doing paintings nowadays, I do penwork in Spencerian hand that takes about an hour and laminate it.

Interesting method of embedding into your paintings, Robert. My server has been down for several days so I could not enter your little contest. Anyway my method is simpler than yours. I just put the month and year after my signature. Numbering each piece I do during the month is of no concern to me. In the past, I put information on the back of the painting such as why I painted the subject and where, in addition to the date. Provenance is of value to collectors and historians but not to me as an artist.

I date my work and in separate three ring notebooks keep a running list by date, plus whatever photos, notes, etc. that are associated with each work.

The MAJOR benefit for me is in finding inspiration, ideas, relationships among pieces, etc. when I flip through the notebooks. Plus I can take the info out, place the sheets next to each other and compare and contrast, etc.

This REALLY works, particularly during a less inspired stretch or even on a dark and dreary evening when I'm itching for my next direction. This literally happened last night. By the time I put the notebooks away, I had a list of ideas and possible sketching locations, some notes, was making plans, etc.

SUMMARY: I recommend setting up a dual purpose tool that keeps track of your work plus supports your creativity and productivity.

Under the house is the code 13.0.0.0.13 I realize I will be at the back of the pack for the prestigious award, just needed to let you know you have my attention and support over the last four years. Yours is the only mailing I faithfully read and recommend (yes, I do find the odd individual who does not subscribe to your wisdom).

Artists are not natural bookkeepers. If at all possible you need someone--a mother, a wife, a husband--who jumps on work completed and notates the facts of its genesis.

i recently purchased a copy of Arabella Magazine where you were featured with your latest paintings which I thought were amazing. I am a new painter and i love to paint landscapes. I am using acrylic with limited success often feeling frustrated with my inability to get what i see before me onto canvas in a way that doesn't scream amateur, hokey and lame.In your article you talked about your techniques and i would really appreciate you expanding for me when you talk about punching in marks,glazing and then putting in main shapes in impasto then glazing again then finishing. I never want to copy anyone's work as i really want to figure out this medium on my own but I'm stuck in a rut thinking maybe i need to change mediums like oil. Any feedback you could give me would be much appreciated. Thanks, Stephen James.

I see no need for numbering, just give the painting a title, medium and a size then add it to your list. I put the date on the back for posterity.

Mystery Guest, that is ingenious, I admire you.