Challenges seem to have become a thing around here – after the Mindful Break and Kindle Thy Spark, this is my most ambitious yet – a daily art challenge! But first:
Why a daily art challenge?
Because my one small regret from last year is that I did not make enough time for art, especially in the second half of the year. Moving to a self-hosted blog and all the tiny little tweaks I had to make to it ate up a lot of my time and attention. Setting up an online Tarot reading business took up another chunk of energy. And then there was all the time I spent dreaming about blogging and fun new ideas – like the two Instagram challenges mentioned above. No wonder that my art table felt a bit neglected!
So the one thing that I really want to do this year is to create a semblance of balance in terms of how I am spending my time. Art needs to come back to the center of things, because without it I start to get a bit angsty and obsessive. And what better way to do it than with a daily art challenge?
#PocketFullOfArt: A daily art challenge with a twist
Or maybe I should say with a side of grace. Because this is a big one – it’s a year long challenge. And let’s be honest, a yearly challenge can be daunting! So here’s the deal – miss a day, a week, a month? It’s OK; just make art for most of the year, and we’re golden!
The aim behind this daily art challenge is to create a consistent art practice. And what do I mean by art? Painting, drawing, sketching, doodling, lettering, mixed media, and digital art. This is also open to crafts, DIY projects, knitting, embroidery and artistic photography {which means creative work, not random food photographs and the like}.
Here’s how it will work…
With a challenge like this, community and support are super important. Which is why I’ve set up the Pocket Full Of Art Facebook group – it’s a closed group where we can gather together to share our art. I’ll also be sharing some of my favorite art videos and tutorials, as well as notes from my own process within the group.
When you post your creations on social media, use the #PocketFullOfArt hashtag so that we can all see your wonderful creations.
…And how I will approach it
I’ve decided to commit to a tiny 3.5×5″ art journal, where I will create an art journal page based on my daily Tarot pull. I’m hoping to use it to explore different mediums and styles, but we’ll see how that goes.
Note: Having a theme is NOT mandatory. You may choose to work on a particular thing (e.g. lettering, doodles, zentangles) through the year or even change it up every month. Or maybe you want to see where each day takes you!
Some suggestions for themes, if that’s the route you want to go:
Favorite quotes
Lyrics
Movie/TV inspired posts
I will also be working in my monthly new moon journal – this will be my third year {I’ll have a flip through of last year’s soon, you can see a flip through of my 2015 moon journal below} – and doing some intuitive canvas paintings.
And in case you’re wondering, on the days when I am working in my new moon journal, on canvas, or on any other art project, I likely will NOT be doing the mini art journal {I’m crazy, but not that crazy!}.
Also, I don’t aim to necessarily finish an art journal page each and every day. The mini ones, perhaps. But the moon journal takes me a couple of days, and canvases take as long as they take. The main idea is to build a consistent art practice. Miss a day, a week or even a month because life happened? That’s fine! I’ll just come back to the art when the dust settles. There are no rules and no falling behind!
Will you join me? Head over to the Pocket Full Of Art Facebook group – I hope to see you there!
How I’d love to join up with your group but not just yet. I have far too many household chores to attend to. I’ve been away from home for 3 months and that really left my house in quite a mess. I have to still sort things out but I will definitely visit your page to see how you are doing. Good luck and hope to join up soon
I’d love to have you join in once you’ve settled down and sorted out the house! 🙂
I love your art journal. You make such gorgeous backdrops. I wish I were good at art, but I’m not. All I can do is the occasional colouring in my daughters’ colouring book.
Thank you! 🙂
I’m sharing this on Twitter – I think this will be a lot of fun for you and your participants.
Thanks Alana! It sure is a lot of fun!! 🙂
Your journal is the dream… It’s so beautifully painted… I love the ideas and the colors you have used. It so happy and positive. Now I feel like making one for myself 🙂
Thanks so much Raj! Do make one too, I’d love to see what you come up with!
That’s a wonderful idea! I’m a painter by academics but somewhere along the way I stopped painting. I did try to get back in spurts but never followed it through. Having a daily challenge for art can force you to be disciplined.
Oh! Why don’t you restart painting this year? 🙂
A daily challenge can force discipline. But for me, art is meditation and medicine – there’s so much it can help you learn and work through as well!
Looks intresting Jini… makes me think what to do now ???
Start drawing! 😉
heheh
This seems really interesting. And your last year’s journal is so fabulous. Loved it! Wish I could have had such talent to paint like you. May be in next life! ? Btw wish you all the very best with new initiative of yours.
Thanks Saumy! And it’s a talent that can be learnt. 😉
wowo! Jini I apologise to not have visited earlier. This is truly inspiring and so creative. I would have loved to join, only I would be able to do anything that can be called art till april. I would want to join a second season of this. all the best dear and do keep sharing.
You can join in April – the group will be open 🙂
A wonderful idea and the Facebook group for encouragement and sharing will be so good.
Kathleen
BloggersPitStop
Yes, that’s the hope! Thanks for stopping by Kathleen.
Awesome jini.. are you a human being, as you have so many talents. Well I do not know about Art, but do like artistic things, more so after reading the Steve Job’s autobiography and was able to feel his love for art.
However my wife do make some creative things, she made one Ganpati portrait with the help of unused CDs.
hahha! Thanks Anshul!! Steve Job was excellent with design! And I’d love to see a picture of the Ganpati your wife made! Post on Twitter and tag me? 🙂
I’m spellbound! You’re so talented, Jini and I’m super proud to know you. That’s a beautiful idea and I hope you rock it! ?
Thank you dear Shalini!
This sounds like an interesting idea, though I can never do it, because to put it really mildly, I am artistically challenged. Having said that, I am sure you will rock it. Have fun!
Thanks a lot!! :))
And I really don’t believe anyone is artistically challenged. We just need some practice and to figure out what kind of art we are good at. 😉
Art and me stay quite distant! And you sure had a lot on your plate by the end of 2016! This year I shall be looking forward to my writing mostly. Last quarter of the year took writing completely backstage!
All the best to you!
Have fun!
Cheers
Geets
All the best to you with your writing!! 🙂