You’re busy, you have NO time, and you have NO space. You have NO art skills and NO supplies.
{Don’t you think there are too many NOs here?}
Anyhow…. I am here you to tell you that YOU CAN STILL CREATE ART!
I painted this piece in a tiny 3.5×5″art journal using only watercolor pencils and some white paint and yellow acrylic ink in the last step to bring it all together. And I love how lose and abstract it looks.
I created it as part of a 7-day speed art Instagram challenge hosted by Eli Trier. Her original idea was to have challenge participants do each prompt on a different sheet of paper, as an exercise in learning how to loosen up and get over the fear of a blank page. I decided to combine all the daily prompts on one page {without even knowing what each day’s prompt would be}, and it turned into the perfect summer art project {you can see it evolve, step-by-step, below}.
The prompts were relatively simple – draw a repeat pattern {I drew triangles}, draw with your non-dominant hand {I cheated a bit on this one!}, paint a simple color wheel {most of which got hidden at the end}…And since it was a timed 2 minute challenge, it was all necessarily lose and free…and fun!
All told, each prompt took me 2 minutes to complete {I used a timer – once the timer went off, I packed up for the day}, and I spent 3 minutes to tie it all together at the end. That’s a total of 17 minutes across 7 days.
Can you still say you have no time to create art?
Step-by-step 2-minute art journal page
Day 1: Draw a repeat pattern
Day 2: Draw/Paint with your non-dominant hand.
Day 3: Make a squiggle. Convert it into a sketch.
Day 4: Figure drawing without lifting the pencil (I may have cheated a teeny tiny bit!)
Day 5: Make a color wheel
Day 6: Draw with your eyes closed
Day 7: Create and fill a grid
Bringing it all together: Added in some gesso and yellow ink
ejrg
Great thought. It was a big blow on guys like me who say i’m busy always and find no time for art. Really inspiring post and art. Keep your spirit alive !!!
I’ve been guilty of thinking I don’t have enough time for art, either. This was such an eye opening challenge for me, too. And it pushed me in ways that made me uncomfortable, but it all worked out in the end! 🙂
In every No there lies a yes, your post reaffirmed my belief
I love that belief of yours! It’s so true, isn’t it?
It is beautiful! I just resolved to create something, anything, everyday, just before I start my work for the day! Hugs! 🙂 The truth is, when we want something badly enough, we do make the time. 🙂
Go, Vidya! I’m cheering you on! Yes, we can always make time for the things that really matter to us. When we don’t, there’s generally an underlying fear or avoidance that we need to examine. 🙂
I really should keep an art journal nearby for when the urge to doodle strikes!
You should. It’s so much fun!
Wow this is a great idea to start something positive ??
Let me know what you start! 🙂
Fab idea and I think there is something very therapeutic in doing something creative like an art journal X #anythinggoes
Yes, there is! Do you art journal too?
Wow, fab idea, I’m not at all creative but think I could do patterns 🙂 #anythinggoes
Doing patterns is also creative!! 🙂
I used to doodle as a teenager. Out of the habit. Why not take it up again? Although, not quite ready to show all on Instagram.
Why not, indeed? I hope you feel inspired to pick up doodling again, even if you keep it all private. It’s still a beautiful creative practice. 🙂
What a great idea to overlay all the prompts together. It’s a beautiful piece of art! I’ve been longing to get to learning to paint on some big canvases, but you’ve just shown me starting small would be amazing too!
Oh yes, starting small is helpful. Big canvases can get a bit intimidating – so much of space to cover and color!! I personally found it easier to start small and expand.
It almost sounds like a meditation moment; something that recharges you that you can slip anywhere in your day to make it beautiful.
Yes, it is! 2 minutes of meditative mindfulness. 🙂
You’re right about the fact that it takes just two minutes to create something you love. I love that concept. And if you are motivated enough, you WILL find the time to make it work. That being said, I suck at art. I literally cannot draw to save my life. But I admire the passion and the talent in others that makes this possible. So I just want to say, this is absolutely beautiful!
That’s so true Shy! When you are motivated, you find ways to make time for the things you love. I’m so glad you liked this quick little piece, thank you!
Also, about 4 odd years ago, I used to say the same thing: I cannot draw to save my life. Try, practice, you can learn! 🙂
Wow, really?! It is so quaint and unique! Love it Jini. I need to stop doodling across my phone book and make it into something more constructive, I say!
Thank you Kala! And yes, start doodling in a dedicated doodle book instead. 😉
It’s such a pretty project. I have been doingvwater coloring too, but they aren’t as good as yours. You get the background and the colors so right.
Thank you so much, Raj! And I look at your zentangles with a similar longing – I run out of patience and my zentangles start getting messy!! ?
I love the finished result – it’s hard to believe it was done in such a short period of time. Love it!
Thanks for linking up to #AnythingGoes 🙂
Debbie
Glad you liked it. It was an eye-opening process for me, too! 🙂
17 minutes?? wow! I beg lack of time and talent! love what you can do with just about any medium and any white space!
hahaha! Thank you!! Anyone can do it. Let’s meet up one day and I’ll show you how. I bet you can do it too! 😉
so excited to meet such a talented person! this is gorgeous!
Thanks so much, Karuna!
Wow! This is beautiful! And I’m totally in love with the idea of speed art journaling. Keep it up, Shinjini!
Thanks so much Mansi! Hope you give it a try soon!