Today is day #14

As a recap… I have committed to creating 15-minute sketches every day for the next 100 days. These will be posted on my Facebook Page as #100DaysArt, and throughout the project I will post selected works on “Word Tattoo”, so you can follow along.

Although, I am only on day #14, I can honestly say that so far this has been a very interesting learning experience. It is providing me an opportunity to challenge my creative process. Some of the sketches have turned out great, others … not so much. It seems that the learning curve in this is more of a roller coaster than that of a gentle ebb and flow. The main thing that I have learned so far in doing these exercises is the time restraint is causing me to think in the moment and figure things out. I do not have the luxury to plot out my every line, forcing me to resort to quick damage-control fixes when I realize that something weird happen. I just have to work through it and make it happen… and be prepared to watch it crash and burn sometimes.

After creating the sketch, I step back and critique it as I slowly fine-tune my awareness of perceptions by asking three questions. What did I observe? What is really there?  What have I placed on the page?  Comparing how these three are similar and how are they different.  This forces me to confront the elements of drawing that I am less developed in. In my mind I see what I have done wrong, but I often have difficultly making the pencil move correctly to create this.  I feel that working on the daily sketches will help move forward in my art.  So… this is the next step in my creative process.

Day # 10~ Not So Good

Day # 8 GOOD

Several days ago a very good friend asked me why I continue to invest my energy in maintaining a blog? When I really cannot measure the benefits or even the scope of how many people take the time to read it and maybe that this time could be better utilized doing something else.

At first I was really defensive about having my motives being questioned, but after giving it some thought I realized that my blog is a means for me to share my experiences in life. This allows my creative process to be transparent and visual for all to experience. I can only write what I know and how it affects me personally. So this blog is about my thoughts and experiences in life and how that informs my creative process. Art for me is the clearest way to explain and express what is in my mind, heart and soul. It runs the gamut of all emotions; sometime it is graceful and beautiful and other times it is messy and painful. The blog provides for me a vehicle to express this and gives it a voice for others to read, react and the hope that maybe my words might in some way benefit another individual.

One of the things I confront everyday day is Fear, Fear of not being good enough, Fear of making the wrong choice and sometimes just experiencing Fear as I walk out into the world attempting to do something new. I know that everyone can relate to how crippling Fear can be. Fear is a natural human trait and its purpose is to protect us. But often Fear is just a fabrication of the past trying to suffocate you from moving forward.  Fear used to paralyze me and overwhelm me with self-doubt.  I would play the “What if…” game and I would always lose.

Everyday when I wake up I challenge my Fears, pushing, kicking and screaming through it. Reminding them (and myself) that Fear has no power here. I chant it as my most powerful mantra as this reminds me of the strength and endurance that I possess. Because I am willing to face this Fear head on, I experience an awareness of freedom that surrounds me, protects me. I am able to inhabit my life having a greater understanding of my world and how I move forward in it… and as I peel back the layers, exposing the raw emotions it makes me feel very venerable and sometimes unsure of the outcome.

This opportunity allows me the capacity to be more compassionate with others in the world and also with myself. I feel that because of facing my Fears I can be more authentic in my life and in turn this helps me create the art and life that I am to create… and because of this I am not willing to settle for mediocrity in my life.  Writing about these experiences in my blog gives me the chance to share my thoughts with others as it provides the voice allowing my words to be expressed.  As always, I invite you to join me on a journey to explore memories of the future.

I need to spend more time in the studio making art and less time doing other non-art “stuff”.

My solution:  The -100 day Art Challenge!

What does this mean… you might ask?

Well, I have a new 100-page, 11in x 8in blank spiral bound drawing book. My goal and commitment to myself for the next 100 days to dedicate 15 minutes every day to create one completed drawing per page. To help facilitate building a deeper connection and understanding of my creative process and help me work out ideas for future pieces of work.

Book open, timer in hand… pencil in the other!

Page One…. Let the Challenge begin!