Some weeks I feel like I have life by the horns - sure, it might be busy. It's actually always busy, but most of the time, so long as I keep checking in with God, I don't feel overwhelmed by it all. I relish the challenge of making everything fit into the day-shaped hole and then grab a bit of studio time to boot. This week I feel the very edge of a cold. I'm a great believer in mind over matter and looking after your body when it comes to staying well, however, there are also times that you will succumb, no matter how much you will it otherwise. I am taking vitamin C tablets by the tonne (literally, as my husband, when finding "vitamin C tablets" on the shopping list, assumed they were for the kids. I am currently ingesting a sizeable handful of hippo-shaped immuno support) and I am a little uneasy about the impending effects of a quantity of mandarins in one sitting. I am also fairly forcing myself into my studio - a place which is usually where I am most contented. I sit in there, slightly fuzzy headed and try to form 3-dimensional felt in a stubbornly sluggish brain space.
It is in this frustrating place that I happened upon an interesting thought. I have been watching recently the proliferation of artists undertaking "100 day challenges" and the like. It isn't something that I've particularly thought of doing myself, but I have found myself being drawn in to the two or three that I am currently following on Instagram; Monika Kralicek is one that I have been enjoying. Her watery ink and acrylic on yupo (must investigate that product!) are intriguing and I have really enjoyed seeing where she has moved through techniques, colour palettes and mediums as the 100 days have progressed.
A bite-sized project that I can complete each day, no matter how I am feeling or how busy I am really does appeal right now. It also has the added benefit of being very helpful as I work on developing ideas for my next exhibition. I can experiment and develop ideas with palette, texture and techniques while feeling that I am being productive. Winner!!
So, today is day 1. If you want to follow progress, you can do so on Instagram or Facebook.