The 100 Day Project – Days 33 to 46

On 30 June I announced my plan to do a #The100DayProject – starting on 1 July, and explained a bit about what that is. For me, it is a plan to do something (anything) creative for 100 days.

As it turns out, my art group decided to do a 30 day sketching challenge during July, so the beginning of my 100 Day Project was quite sketch heavy, however along the way I fell in love with drawing in ink and adding some watercolour so it’s kinda gone that way now. I’ll go with the flow and see where it takes me.

I decided I’ll do a ’round up post’ once a fortnight for the duration of my #WOTMThe100DayProject to share the creativity I’ve done for that period and I also share how I’m feeling and what I’m noticing in each post.  Here’s the round up posts already published if you haven’t seen them:

• Days 1 to 18
• Days 19 to 32

So let’s have a look at Days 33 to 46!

Day 33

Day 34

Day 35

Day 36

Day 37

Day 38

Day 39

Day 40

Day 41

Day 42

Day 43

Day 44

 

 

Day 45

Day 46

On Day 46 I had limited time as I had a busy day including going out to the grand opening of Kaye West Studios.  I knew four (4) people who were exhibiting there and so I went along to show my support (see my Instagram post here or it’s on Facebook here for some photos). The diverse styles of art were so inspiring!  If you’re an art lover in Brisbane you should totally go check out this new art gallery at Camp Hill.  So with my limited time when I got home in the afternoon, I wet some watercolour paper in a rough shape of a butterfly, dropped in some colour and splatters for a bit of whimsey and then went off to do some jobs while it dried. Then I came back and did a quick (and dodgy) ink outline to complete the piece. It’s far from perfect but a good one for when time is limited.

How I’m feeling and what I’m noticing?

• I’m feeling more free with my art now. What I mean by that is that I used to feel nervous/hesitant to start in case I stuffed it up. Nowadays I just jump in and go for it. What will be, will be!
• There’s been some days during this period where I really wanted the pressure off me to have to produce something creative. I was unwell for several days following my 2nd AZ shot (it hit 3 days after the shot). I had a temp, was really tired, and had some awful headaches/migraines. Then there have been days that I’ve just been super busy and time poor, but I’ve still produced something – though they are sometimes rather basic and subpar!  
• Even though it’s been a bit tough to be creative when feeling tired and/or unwell, I know it will all be worth it in the end. This project is already reaping benefits for me. It’s forcing me to carve out time in my day for ‘creativity’.  This has many benefits:
  • As I’ve already said – it’s making me become more relaxed and free with my art
  • Creative time = me time = mindfulness and living in the present time = slowing down and resting my brain which often is full of problems and worries and things I have to do!
  • It’s steering me in the direction/s that I enjoy with my art. I never knew before what I enjoyed or what I was good at. The good thing about doing art every day is that you eventually find out!
• What I need to be careful of is the pressure I put on myself:
  • To produce good quality every day (impossible). I often wonder what I could produce if I had several days to take my time over it. The future will answer that one for me.
  • To make something of this (all in good time).
  • Self sabotage (I have done this with my photography and my crochet but I am determined I will not do this again).
• What I’ve learnt about me:
  • I need to take things slowly
  • I need to do things properly and with thought, good advice and planning
  • I need to avoid overwhelm because overwhelm can make me shut down
• I’ve noticed on my social media pages that I’ve lost some of my usual followers but gained some new ones. It’s interesting isn’t it? I’ve gained some new art loving followers and I’m very grateful – thank you to you if you’re one of them and you’re reading this!  But with everything – you win some, you lose some. Some followers have been put off by the sudden flooding of art in my social media and unfollowed. Some followers haven’t unfollowed but they no longer engage with me where once they used to. I can’t let it bother me though. I’ll do me and whoever sticks around to support and encourage me are my tribe and I’m so very grateful to you all. Thank you!
• At this stage, I am feeling open to making something of my art, and I’m certainly getting quite a bit of encouragement which is so lovely, but I want to seek advice, do some planning, take my time, and launch my ‘something’ when I am ready and if that is the path I continue to want to go down. 

For your info – Day 22’s Kookaburra from the last round up post has been named ‘Karen the Kooka’ as suggested by Debbie Harris (due the rise & fall of Karen’s during these strange Covid days)! Thank you Deb – it’s perfect!

Wherever you are in the world, please take care of yourself and stay safe.

Ciao for now,

Linking up with Denyse Whelan for #LifeThisWeek