In 2022 I began a year-long creative project to produce an artwork a day no matter what other commitments I had going on. There was one major reason for launching into this project, which was to make a commitment to my own arts practice and not allow the ebb and flow of inspiration or time determine whether I would create or not. It’s too easy to allow other things to encroach on what we believe to be important. For me, maintaining my arts practice while running a business that isn’t directly about making art but is linked is important. It strikes at the heart of one of my values, which is about nurturing creativity and finding the avenues that support that. For me making art plays a huge part in stimulating my creative response to my environment.
The artworks represent a daily response to the personal and global events that touched me in some way and likely others. They are based on observations, reflections, and conversations. At times the materials and mediums I worked with determined the look and feel of the artwork.
As time went on people asked if I would be exhibiting them and I held off making that decision until much later in the year. It had not been my initial intention. I always knew the images would be destined to be facilitation and coaching cards or decks. I am now using them in workshops and coaching sessions and have received a great response from people. The development of these cards is still a work in progress and I’ll have more to communicate about that in the coming months.
Given the amount of love and energy devoted to the project I’ve decided to have an exhibition at the gorgeous Scrumptious Reads Bookshop and Gallery at Red Hill, Brisbane in June. The artworks are currently being photographed so that I have a digital collection to draw on for books, prints, cards, workshops and presentations. I’ll provide more details about the exhibition in the coming weeks.
Finally, a few insights I can share with you so far from undertaking a year-long project
- You never really know what’s involved until you get involved.
- There is inspiration all around us, it’s a matter of perspective, and how we choose to see and respond to our environment.
- Look for a few ways you that will make your commitment to your project achievable. There were three main creative hacks that helped me; (i) was to make the artworks the same size so I didn’t have to think about that each time (ii) regardless of how I felt, inspired or not, I showed up. It’s amazing what happens when you do that and (iii) be creative with time, with all the other commitments there were times I hardly had time, and then there were times of spaciousness, time is a construct we can play with, experiment and play with time.
- Making a public declaration about your intention and communicating your progress can be a motivator. It was helpful to know people were on the journey with me.
- Value your ideas, your creative time…regardless what others may think or say, hold on to your dreams, aspirations, projects. We must become our own greatest champion and guard ourselves from the naysayers and those who want to dampen our enthusiasm. Fortunatley I didn’t experience any of that externally.
- Watch your own self talk, the inner critic, perfectionist, procrastinator and shadow self may arrive and try to talk you out of your creative project, don’t let them. Know they are there, and keep them at a distance.
- To see any creative project to a completion requires a range of qualities like discipline, commitment and action.
- A creative commitment and achievement needs elements of joy, meaning and celebration.
I hope you will come along to the exhibition, share the joy and help me celebrate a major achievement.