Squirrel Squiggle
Last month, I wrote about my desire to create more artwork and also about some of the hurdles I expected to encounter. I was thinking that though it has been more than a little difficult at times, I’ve been so proud of myself for sticking with my “one blog post per day” plan. So, today, I’ve decided to try something similar and have challenged myself to create one new piece of artwork per day. Knowing that this will feel uncomfortable at first, and also knowing my tendency to get “stuck” when I don’t know WHAT to create or I don’t think it’s going well, I’ve decided to set down a couple rules:
#1 – The artwork must not be computer generated. (This is an arbitrary decision, but lately I’ve been wanting to spend more time away from the computer and just do something with my own two hands.)
#2 – Consistency over quality. (One new thing every day… no excuses!)
#3 – Spend no more than 15 minutes creating.
Now, don’t get me a wrong… I don’t expect anything stellar to come from such minimal effort. I won’t have much time to really think about what I’m doing, make it look nice, or perfect any concepts. But, then, that’s sort of the point. A very good friend of mine sent me a link to this short video which pretty much summed up the troubles I’ve been having. [If you’re not up for watching the video, the basic message is to STOP getting hung-up on all the things that can distract and discourage you from creating art and just DO IT!] My hope in putting strict limitations on myself — odd as it sounds — is actually to make this a more freeing and playful experience than it might be otherwise. After all, it’s only 15 minutes a day and there’s no pressure to create anything super-impressive. I want the artistic process itself to become an inherent daily part of my existence — and I want that more than I want to create one or two awe-inspiring things. After only about a month of continuous writing for this blog, I am already finding it’s getting easier and more intuitive. I have high hopes that I might have equal success with this new experiment.
Gosh, with all this build-up, my little daily doodle of a Gray Squirrel might be kind of a let down…
*grin*
(I hope not.)
HARSI! This is wonderful. I just love it. Everything is to scale and I really especially love his/her beautiful tail and soulful eye. You are talented m’dear!! Thank you so much for sharing this…. exes & ohs
Oh, Lisa… somehow I just knew I could count on you for some much needed encouragement. Thank you, my sweet friend!! xo I’m always super-critical of anything I do… but, I can honestly confess that even I like how the tail turned out. 🙂
Hey Harsi, Such a great post and awesome drawing! This is a really wonderful idea. Build it right into your day. A ritual of sorts. I might do the same. It’s funny because in the realm of photography, I would think that not a day goes by when you don’t photograph something outdoors or elsewhere. I would say that I am the same, in that arena. But re-directing all that creative energy and breaking it out beyond the barriers of the digital realm into the physical is so liberating and the daily effort really establishes a creative trajectory. I think that setting those limitations makes a lot of sense too. So much comes from that, creatively speaking. Kind of like working with the square crop photo. Recontextualization. The visual language, layout and meaning are transformed all from a simple adjustment of boundaries. That video is so inspiring, and hilarious too. Just re-watched it. I needed it! Really helps to pull down all those hang-ups and mental road-blocks. “DO. Do something. Do anything.” Have fun, its going to be a great experience. B
Ben!! As I’m sure you know, you were in my thoughts as I wrote this one. I loved reading your comment!!! Actually, you found the words to express what I was hoping to accomplish SO MUCH BETTER than I did. (I’m going to have to get you to ghostwrite a few of these blog posts… Hah, hah!) I wish I could take complete credit for the notion of using one small daily project to build a repertoire of creativity. I remember being very excited the first time I discovered this site: http://makesomething365.blogspot.com/ I didn’t write about this specifically, but I also would like to experiment with as many different mediums as possible. I think that will open my horizons a lot and maybe help me find my artistic “voice” so to speak. I think you’re right that it will be a great experience, B! It would be fantastic if you were going to do something similar. I’d love to share our occasional successes and (inevitable) embarrassments. *GRIN*
Great drawing Harsi! Good luck with this project, I am certain you will create some wonderful things 🙂
Thanks, Chris! I am so appreciative of all this heart-felt encouragement… it really means so much to me. I look forward to sharing more art with you guys… for better or worse! *grin*