Sweet Savory Sustainable

For the next one hundred days I will…

When was the last time you created something? Not for your job, not to make money, and not part of a honey do list. Creating something that takes you out of your comfort zone. A project that challenges your hands and mind. “I can’t draw a straight line,” comes to mind when someone refers to their ability to create.

I am of the belief that art will save us.

Everyone is an artist and everyone can be creative. Close your eyes. Now, what do you picture when I ask, what is an artist?

Consider this… The welder, who can bring two pieces of metal together with a perfectly soldered line. The chef, who layers flavors, textures, and colors to build an attractive and flavorful dish. The data analyst, who constructs eye-catching visuals to eloquently tell a story from hundreds of lines of numbers and words. These examples are probably not what came to mind when I asked the question. As you can see from the welder, the chef, and the data analyst, we are all artists in our day-to-day lives, it is how we chose to recognize the work. Artists view their surroundings with curiosity and find beauty in what is different, bizarre, or quirky. Being an artist is finding joy in the details.

For the next one hundred days I am joining thousands of artists across the globe in an annual project to create something. I am going to challenge my brain and my hands to create from my heart.

Year one I created a self-portrait photography series; it was my favorite.

Year two I created pencil sketches with color pencils.

Year three I created watercolor illustrations with short statements.

Year four I slowed down and dug into the basics of sketching.

Year five, this year, I will create for the next one hundred days with no parameters. I will simply create. Whether it be with words, or paintings, or sketching and if only for 10 minutes a day… I will create.

I understand this sounds vague. It may seem so vague that you are thinking I will not stick to the task because I do not have a specific vision. I tend to get stuck on a path once I am on it. When I set parameters, I create guardrails for which I cannot escape from. There will be days that finding joy in the details is difficult and there is no time in the schedule to seek them out.

So, this is practice in teaching myself even 10 minutes of creating is better than nothing. A started sketch is better than no sketch. An unfinished essay is better than no essay.

Because in one hundred days I will have new knowledge, an expanded skill, and the joy of joining thousands of others in a similar pursuit. If you want me to be more specific, I will work on my watercolor techniques. I have had a long-time goal of creating a cookbook for my sons. The problem is I have been approaching this goal with a hobbyist mindset. A hobbyist is occasional. A professional is consistent. I will be practicing writing short essays and stories. I am taking my brain off the shelf and out of the jar (to partially quote the great Meredith Whittaker). I will put my words on paper no matter how scattered my ideas. I will jumble my thoughts without concern for the perfect words. I will practice sketching with any medium (ballpoint pens included despite my love for a pencil and eraser) and with any reference that is in front of me.

The common reasons for why one may be challenged to create, beyond the “I can’t draw a straight line,” theory are… guilt, shame, and fear. Guilt for spending time on themselves, shame for not having a perfect result, and fear of judgement or failure. These are still reasons that hold me back today. It is a practice to be intentional with your own time. Remember, if you have time to scroll… you have time. I don’t reccomend being as vague as I for your first project. Challenge yourself with time first then you can see where the project takes you. Which is why for the next one hundred days I will create no matter the situation, no matter the tools, even if for only ten minutes a day. I will create.

Here’s to the 100 Day Project! All works I created from this project will be found in the Creative Roots segment of this site. I would love to hear about your projects and ideas. What would you like to create?