I am doing the 100 day project this year. For years, I’ve seen people do it online and wondered if I would ever do it. As you likely know from last month’s newsletter, it’s been a rough time the past few years. Now that I am beginning to settle into a new studio and home, and engage with other creatives more,  it seems like a good time to jumpstart my creative life and connection with other creatives through a project like The 100 Day Project.

What is the 100 day project?

The 100 Day Project is a free, global art project. It begins on February 18th. Every year, thousands of people all around the world commit to 100 days of exploring their creativity. Anyone can join. The idea is simple: choose a project and do it every day for 100 days. Then share it on Instagram with the hashtag #DoThe100DayProject and #The100DayProject and any other hashtags you’d like to include.

The first thing to do is to sign up for the newsletter.

Here is the link with more info: https://www.the100dayproject.org/ 

Do you want to join me?

Would you like to join me in doing The100dayproject? Let me know by responding to this email and we can tag each other on Instagram. Here is my Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/valeriesjodinstudio/ 

Inspiration & getting started

One of the people who have inspired me is Roben-Marie Smith. She has done The 100 Day project for years and has a free PDF download to help us get started. In the free download Roben-Marie shares ideas, tips and benefits of doing a challenge like this. She even includes a planner and tracker if you want to use that. Check Roben-Marie’s project inspiration out: 

https://www.robenmarie.com/blog/how-to-prepare-for-the-100-day-project?rq=100%20day%20project 

The 100 day project idea - my process

“I have an idea!”

I’ve heard that line many times from my grandkids over the years, and I love hearing what their idea is, although I also brace myself with a smile as I listen.

I had an idea for a series to do for the 100 day project. I wrote down possible titles, chose my art supplies and gathered collage fodder. Then I put it all on a rolling cart dedicated to the project. I even tore a watercolor sheet into uniform sized pieces as a beginning, BUT when I sat down to make one of the them as practice I got STUCK! I mean totally stuck. This was easy for me right? Wrong! I couldn’t do what I had done dozens, or maybe hundreds of times. 

HELP! I’m stuck!

Emotionally I had to guard myself to not sink into depression and give up  before I even began. I wondered if The 100 Days Project of doing something was too hard for me right now and maybe I shouldn’t try. I stopped myself from spiraling downward by asking: What is this telling me? I paused to pray, asking for clarity and help.

I found myself breathing deeply and doing the things I’ve learned in a healing group this past year: breathe deeply for a few minutes, pause, and check-in on how I am doing physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I do this often on my own, and also in a weekly group meeting. During our time together we begin by each briefly sharing our check-in. Because it is a safe place to share and we’re consistently intentional about listening and responding, trust and friendship are fostered.

Looking through the past month’s entries in my writing journal, I found one thing I need right now is simplicity. I tend to make projects that are like puzzles with multi-layered meanings and various media. It dawned on me that the reason I got stuck before I even started The 100 Day Project is because my idea could not be done in an hour or less each day. I got overwhelmed before I even began. 

After this realization, I asked myself, ‘When was a time I did something joyful and simple with art making?’ Remembering, while recovering from a severe episode of Covid, I watched numerous YouTube videos by CreationCeecee https://www.youtube.com/@creationsceecee who paints lovely watercolors and draws on top of them with pen. She inspired me with her process and disarming voice. When my healing was further along, I got out my watercolor paints, paper and pens and began to play with paint and pen on paper again. It was a creative lifeline - simple, therapeutic, and fun. After numerous sessions of painting like that, I found myself ready to branch out and explore new art making adventures.

It feels right

Now I’m breathing a sigh of relief, and changing my focus for The 100 Day Project. What I’ve decided is to add an artful check-in to my daily practice of reading, prayer, and often writing. I already use a number of ‘art therapy’ (for lack of a better word) techniques in my art journaling, so the idea is familiar. I will share some of those techniques with you in future newsletters and on my blog, as I walk through the process.

The main thing for me right now is to:

Keep it simple Sweetheart (K.I.S.S)

Stick to the basics

The basic supplies I will be using are: my regular writing journal, watercolor paper or journal with watercolor paper, watercolor paints, brushes, and permanent black pens, white paint marker, and of course water and a paper towel. Keeping the supplies simple means I can easily get out the supplies and even travel while doing the 100 day daily practice. There are other materials in the studio that can easily be used if I feel led: pencils and eraser, collage fodder, glue stick, relief tape, Washi tape etc. Right now I am open to use them or not. It feels freeing and open-ended.

Key to success

The key to success is to make the 100 day project simple, doable and joyful. For me the challenge part is to post each day on Instagram. Since Covid I’ve backed off of social media and honestly, I don’t miss it, although I still want to connect with people. Posting #the100dayproject on Instagram is a way of sticking my toe in the water of social media again and connecting with fellow creatives. 

My 100 day project plan

My plan is to:

• Start with a personal daily check-in of how I’m doing physically, emotionally. and spiritually. 

• Respond to it or describe it through art media of choice with watercolor and pen being the basic go-to media. Add desired words if any.

• Focus on the process rather than the product

• Post on Instagram each day

• Post weekly, every 10 days, or bi-monthly on my blog and newsletter

• Give myself grace if I don’t do it perfectly & K.I.S.S.

Nothing is wasted

I still want to do the original idea of a series, but my heart and mind aren’t ready for it yet. I’m saving the fodder, the thoughts, research, and ideas in my journal and in a document on my computer. It gives me something to look forward to. Maybe this process will get me ready for that one? Regardless, nothing is wasted through this process, but something has been learned. I am grateful. 

Are you doing the 100 day project?

if so,

What is your 100 day project idea?

I’d love to hear from you!

I appreciate You!

Valerie

I’d love you to join me The 100 Day Project journey. Do you want to come on the adventure? Let me know in the comments below. https://www.instagram.com/valeriesjodinstudio/