Project Reveal

Today is my half birthday, and what better way to celebrate than to talk about the project I've been working on for the past 6 months!

Sometime around early March I was brainstorming ideas for new projects.  I kept thinking that I wanted to do something big or long term, something that would encourage me to create art every day.  Sometimes I need an extra little push of motivation to start a project and stick with it if I don't have some sort of deadline or someone else waiting on the finished product.  

I decided upon a project that would last a whole year (I tend to be a bit ambitious sometimes), but I was super disappointed that the new year had already began and it didn't seem right to just start on any old random day.  Then I realized that my birthday was coming up soon, and that would be a perfect occasion to begin a new project!

So on March 26, 2015 I began the project that I am calling Twenty-nine (working title).  For each day I draw or paint on a 7"x7" black or white square of paper.  At the beginning of the project, I cut out printed drawing/journal prompts  (around 1000 or so) and put them all together in a bag.  For each day I select a prompt one by one for the day it will represent.  From that prompt I try to create a piece of art on the 7"x7" square.

This project has been so much fun so far!  Some days are easier than others.  Some days I cannot wait to get home to work on the day's square.  Other days I have a really hard time getting started.  There's been some days where life has gotten in the way, but I am still determined to have a square for every day.  I try to make each drawing or painting relatively quick.  It's meant to be more of a free association exercise - a kind of art therapy in a way.  Some days the results are beautiful while other days they are less then impressive, but for this project it's more about the process than it is the result.  

Half the year down, just a little bit longer to go!

So that's the big project I've been working on.

I'd love to have your input, questions, and suggestions!  

Please feel free to add a comment below or find me over at Facebook or Twitter!

Podcast Review: Artists Helping Artists - How to Get the Most Value Out of Social Media

     I've decided to add a written component onto my blog so that I can share stories about my art, information about materials or techniques I'm using, talk about other artists that inspire me, and discuss anything art-related.  

     Today for some motivation on my Monday, I listened to the podcast Artists Helping Artists for the first time.  The episode was How to Get the Most Value Out of Social Media.  This podcast episode had so much helpful information for creative people trying to put themselves out into the world.  I put a link below to their podcast episodes (this one was number 17) in case you want to check it out yourself.  I want to share some of my favorite pieces of info I learned from listening.

3 Interesting Pieces of Info

1- Develop a calendar of upcoming events (such as holidays) for yourself and plan projects ahead of time around upcoming events.  They used a great example in the episode that tied a sale on their website to the outcome of a sporting event. 
 
2- Be sure to stay active and up-to-date on all your social media sites; delete any old, unused accounts.  This will better direct your followers to find your active sites.
 
3- Consider promoting through a Facebook ad - just $5 can extend your viewing audience by 2000 or so people.

These are just three things I learned while listening to this information-packed yet fun podcast. 

I'd love to have your input, questions, and suggestions!  

Please feel free to add a comment below or find me over at Facebook or Twitter!

Artists Helping Artists - How to Get the Most Value Out of Social Media - May 13, 2015