On the other side of the 100 Day Project and while still basking in the glow and satisfaction of completing this enormous task, I want to reflect on lessons learned about art and myself these 100 days.
Why did I decide to do this project? I began with awareness. The magic of alignment is enhanced and possibly sparked by our attention to things. My participation in this project is an example of the synchronicity we can achieve through mindfulness.
At the end of January, I was listening to a podcast interview with Lindsay Jean Thomson who, since 2017, has been the organizer and coordinator of a global art project known as the #The100DayProject. As I listened to how thousands of people around the world commit to 100 days of creating every year, my curiosity was piqued.
The project concept is not complicated – choose a creative project, work on it every day for 100 days, and share your process online. Anyone can participate and, to my delight, I learned that it doesn’t matter if it takes you longer. It can take two years if you want. Fantastic —no judgment here. The synchronicity for me? The project was scheduled to begin the next day —January 31— and run through May 10th.
I had been planning the #artistforgiving postcard project but had struggled with project parameters and themes. Basically the “what, when & how” that surrounds every project! By the end of the interview, I had a clearer vision of my postcard project and I knew this 100 Day Project was a perfect segue into my #artistforgiving postcard project. It was time to take that deep dive.
Perfect, I thought enthusiastically, tomorrow I will start the project.
After the first twenty or thirty days, I reexamined my original stylistic intent because new designs were emerging through the daily process of creating. My project burped, twitched, and evolved, becoming more than it was through new ways of painting, new mediums, new tools, and new methods for preparing the cards to receive the media.
I learned more than I expected about art and about myself. In addition to improved skills, I developed a stronger discipline muscle, established good habits, found more self-confidence, all of which landed me in the glow of a beautiful body of work and the enormous satisfaction of a completed project. The unexpected dividends from this project include personal and artistic growth.
During the past 100 days, many thoughts peppered my awareness which I have condensed down to a dozen tips or pointers that any creative would find useful for any project:
- There is no time like the present to experiment with a variety of art supplies (acrylic inks, mediums, paper, to gesso or not to gesso, different types of paint pens, or any items that make marks).
- Keeping your compositions fresh and new allows you to remain open to new ideas.
- Limited color palettes, as well as having some paints mixed ahead of time, is a game changer.
- Forcing a style or composition never works, especially when the intent is to create each new painting in a limited period of time. So step out of your own way and let intuition take over.
- The less you fight the design, the more the art flows through you and out the other end of the brush.
- Try new palettes. I discovered I like working with neutral color palettes. It was never my style before this project, but now I love it.
- Inspiration comes quicker when you show up every day to create.
- Be flexible. Working within a limited timeframe forces quick decisions, but when inspiration was flowing, I did at times compromise my project intent for a good session and went with the flow of ideas.
- Mixed media is a blast. Gluing, tearing paper, staining paper, and drawing reminded me a little of being in preschool.
- Try new styles. Before now, I struggled with abstract design. I kept trying to force it, but I developed a more intuitive style of painting and now I delight in seeing the end result and what happens on every abstract piece.
- Take a challenge. I surprised myself. I was delighted that I was able to complete the project during the scheduled event and was moved by my own body of work.
- Find the joy in the process. I enjoyed making art for the sheer joy of making.
I want to thank my followers on Facebook and Instagram for all of the support, the thoughtful comments, encouragement and ideas. You spurred me on more than you can imagine.
Paulo says
Great and inspiring
Jackie says
Thank you Paulo for your continued support through your thoughtful comments. They are much appreciated.