31 Days in July: Ellyn and Sesow

31 Days in July: Ellyn and Sesow “31 Days in July” was conceived and launched in July 2003 by Washington, DC artists Matt Sesow and Dana Ellyn.

Each day in July, they create one painting inspired by that morning’s world news—capturing history as it unfolds, without fear or favor.

Where it started: July 1, 2003Where it ended: July 31, 2025For the first 10 years of the project, Dana Ellyn & Matt Seso...
08/02/2025

Where it started: July 1, 2003
Where it ended: July 31, 2025

For the first 10 years of the project, Dana Ellyn & Matt Sesow each created 310 of their own individual paintings. This year, they did 31 collaborative pieces. That's a grand total of 651 paintings in the series!!!

Take the journey through all the years: http://31daysinjuly.com

It's a wrap!Today, a DC collector picked up the July 31st painting - Dog Days of Summer - the final piece in this year’s...
08/01/2025

It's a wrap!
Today, a DC collector picked up the July 31st painting - Dog Days of Summer - the final piece in this year’s 31 Days in July project of collaborative paintings by Dana Ellyn & Matt Sesow.

That makes 651 paintings created over 11 years of this intense, exhilarating series.
One painting a day. Every day. Each July.

This last one marks the end of the 2025 run—and what a wild, wonderful ride it’s been. HUGE thanks to everyone who’s followed along, collected, commented, and supported us through the chaos and creativity.

🔗 http://31daysinjuly.com

Dana Ellyn & Matt Sesow have done it again — July 31, 2025. The project is complete!👉 http://31daysinjuly.com"Dog Days o...
07/31/2025

Dana Ellyn & Matt Sesow have done it again — July 31, 2025. The project is complete!
👉 http://31daysinjuly.com

"Dog Days of Summer. This final painting is, on the surface, a nod to the sweltering intensity of summer. But beneath that blaze is the pressure we put on ourselves—day after day—painting through the noise, the news, the fatigue, and the criticism to see this epic project through to the end.

It’s delirium, relief, and pride all rolled into one wild-eyed, triumphant finish.

⚠️ Note: The 31 Days site is having trouble displaying this image. To view it directly:
🔗 https://danaellyn.com/JULY2025/july_31_2025.jpg
📩 Message or email me with any questions or inquiries to purchase.

July 30, 2025: Funny Farmhttps://31daysinjuly.danaellyn.com/july302025/Collaborative painting by Dana Ellyn & Matt Sesow...
07/30/2025

July 30, 2025: Funny Farm
https://31daysinjuly.danaellyn.com/july302025/

Collaborative painting by Dana Ellyn & Matt Sesow

Funny Farm is a biting twist on the idiom historically used for mental institutions. Inspired by news of a new executive order from the Trump administration pushing for the forced confinement of people experiencing homelessness and those with mental health issues, we reimagine a chaotic barnyard of expressive animals against the Washington Monument backdrop.

Selective Liberty14"x32" acrylic/ink on mat boardDay 29 of Dana Ellyn & Matt Sesow's 31 Days in July projecthttps://31da...
07/29/2025

Selective Liberty
14"x32" acrylic/ink on mat board
Day 29 of Dana Ellyn & Matt Sesow's 31 Days in July project
https://31daysinjuly.danaellyn.com/july292025

Selective Liberty challenges the double standards of censorship and artistic freedom. Inspired by Amy Sherald’s decision to cancel her Smithsonian show after concerns over her Trans Forming Liberty painting, this work also reflects the hypocrisy of those who champion free expression—until they see art they disagree with.

"Touring"22"x31" collaborative painting by Dana Ellyn & Matt Sesowhttps://31daysinjuly.danaellyn.com/july282025/The Tour...
07/28/2025

"Touring"
22"x31" collaborative painting by Dana Ellyn & Matt Sesow
https://31daysinjuly.danaellyn.com/july282025/
The Tour de France may have ended, but we’re still racing/painting full speed to the finish line! Only three paintings left in the 2025 edition of 31 Days in July.

“Delivering History”July 27, 2025 from the 31 Days in July projectThis painting celebrates 250 years of the U.S. Postal ...
07/27/2025

“Delivering History”
July 27, 2025 from the 31 Days in July project
This painting celebrates 250 years of the U.S. Postal Service — a legacy launched by Benjamin Franklin, our first Postmaster General.
https://31daysinjuly.danaellyn.com/july272025

This collaborative piece by Dana Ellyn & Matt Sesow blends vintage 1940 and 1947 U.S. stamps with Franklin’s timeless words: ‘Well done is better than well said.’ History delivered, in more ways than one.

See the comments for images and more info about the stamps that were used in this painting.

Today’s 31 Days in July painting, 'Save the Bees', tackles the link between climate change and the devastating decline i...
07/25/2025

Today’s 31 Days in July painting, 'Save the Bees', tackles the link between climate change and the devastating decline in bee populations. Without pollinators, entire ecosystems—and our food supply—are at risk.
Collaborative painting by Dana Ellyn & Matt Sesow
12"x18" on watercolor paper
https://31daysinjuly.danaellyn.com/july252025/

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) held a public hearing in The Hague on July 23, 2025, where it delivered its advisory opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change.

Pushing Buttons (with Mad Hatter)20" x 20" acrylic/mixed on mat boardJuly 24th: collaborative painting by Dana Ellyn & M...
07/24/2025

Pushing Buttons (with Mad Hatter)
20" x 20" acrylic/mixed on mat board
July 24th: collaborative painting by Dana Ellyn & Matt Sesow.
https://31daysinjuly.danaellyn.com/july242025/

Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, this painting captures Alice mischievously “pushing buttons” while the Mad Hatter spirals beside her — a nod to the link between mercury exposure and the original “mad hatter” lore. It is in response to the recent news of mercury being removed from flu shots, blending whimsy with timely commentary.
This one’s for everyone we’ve gotten a rise out of this month ... in the current climate where controversy sparks quicker than reason.

“Paranoid” 12x16 oil/acrylic on canvas boardJuly 23rd of the 31 Days in July projectCollaborative painting by Matt Sesow...
07/24/2025

“Paranoid” 12x16 oil/acrylic on canvas board
July 23rd of the 31 Days in July project
Collaborative painting by Matt Sesow & Dana Ellyn
https://31daysinjuly.danaellyn.com/july232025/
Inspired by the legendary Ozzy Osbourne and his iconic song, painted on the day we learned of his passing.

Border Crossing (July 21, 2025)12" x 18" acrylic/mixed on paperwww.31daysinjuly.comCollaborative painting by Dana Ellyn ...
07/22/2025

Border Crossing (July 21, 2025)
12" x 18" acrylic/mixed on paper
www.31daysinjuly.com

Collaborative painting by Dana Ellyn & Matt Sesow.
Recent reports indicate a record low in illegal border crossings at the nation's borders.

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