I thought for the final day of this project, it would be fitting to finish off with a gratitude journal page. I finished the spread that I started on Day 27 and did more to on Day 29. It’s hard to tell, but I put blue glitter glue around as a border. I used my Nashville alphabet stamps to stamp Gratitude on the page with a black Staz-on stamp pad, and I did the writing with a Sharpie fine-point pen. Then I added some more color with Stabilo Woody Watercolor Crayons and also with plain crayons. I wanted to tone the red tape down a little, so I stamped on it with an oval stamp I made from a corn cushion. (That’s one of the stamps covered in my book Print & Stamp Lab.) Then I put some doodle face stickers in the middle. I wanted Gratitude to pop a little more, so I outlined the letters with a red Sakura Glaze Pen.
I should point out, I did this journal spread after I got home at 11:30 from going to a concert with friends. I didn’t want to miss my final day! That brings up an interesting point. Many of you have said that blogging was the biggest struggle for you in doing this. I completely agree. But, it’s what helps me keep my commitment. I have noticed with other things in my life that I have decided to do on a regular basis, I’m not good at sticking to. Yet, this is the 3rd “30 Days” I’ve done, and stuck to my commitment with all 3. (Well, with 30 Days of Carving, I got sidetracked because I got stranded in Denver for 3 days on the way home from teaching workshops in Los Angeles, and I didn’t have my luggage that had my carving supplies. . . I had no control over that. But luckily I did have my sketchbook, pens & watercolor set, so I was able to continue drawing every day.) For me, this public commitment and blogging about it keeps me accountable. I know myself, and know that without the blogging commitment, since I work so much it would be all too easy late at night if I haven’t done any art for the day, to just got to bed.
But something that I learned from my 30 days of Carving, and that has been instilled in me with 30 Days of Journaling and 30 Days of Get Your Art On, is that I CAN indeed keep my daily commitment. So I find it empowering. I’m curious what you all have learned from joining me in this.
Earlier today, I put together my new Recesky DIY TLR (twin lens reflex) camera. It’s a kit with all sorts of little pieces that when put together, makes this camera! Normally, twin lens reflex cameras use 120 film. But this one uses 35mm, which means I can easily get the film processed at a one-hour photo place. The kit comes with English instructions that have been oddly translated form Japanese. But these kits are very good, and you can usually put them together from the illustrations. A few years ago, I put together a Gakken Stereo Pinhole Camera Kit
I want to thank everyone for joining me, even if you didn’t make art everyday! I hope you got something out of it, and learned something about yourself in the process. I also hope that since you got in the habit of making art on a regular basis, if not daily, that you will keep it up. You can see the rest of my posts for this project here.
Thank you Traci! I loved this 30 day challenge; alas, it’s 1:30 am so I’ll have to save further thoughts for another day.
Great Marjorie! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks Traci! I managed to blog every day and I know, that
having to blog meant i needed something to talk about! So I did art! I am going to try to keep going… thanks for this kick in the pants! http://upstatelisa.blogspot.com/2011/07/im-upstatelisa-yes-i-am.html
Lisa, I totally agree with you–blogging means you need something to blog about, which in turn makes you do something. It’s a great combination!
I fully agree that blogging was the hardest part of this. I can’t remember a day in my life without any artwork at all, but it’s the days without blogging about artwork that were plentiful for me.
I was fairly sure at the start that my art habits wouldn’t change much, but that my blogging habits would improve. Well, my blogging habits have improved, and I’m far less grumpy about taking time to blog than I used to be. I think I may even be beginning to look forward to it.
But my artwork changed, too. I’m making better use of my time. I’m finishing more projects and making more notes about future projects. I’m also narrowing down what works best for me at which times, and I’m letting go of what isn’t working at all.
This has been an incredibly positive experience. Definitely in my top three. Thanks so much Traci, for helping me change some bad habits, create some good ones, and sustain the things that needed to be kept!!
Here’s my day 30:
http://artiphytheheart.typepad.com/artiphytheheart/2011/07/thirty-of-thirty.html
Barbara, for me, the blogging part of it takes longer than the “arting” part of it. But I have found I really enjoy it. I used to always put off doing a blog post because I felt I needed to have a lot of life-changing things to say, or have a lot of content or images. I know that’s part of my perfectionism. I’ve gotten away from that over time, and am getting better at saying “good enough,” so it’s easier for me to create a blog post without it taking up my entire day. I’m happy to hear how this 30 day challenge has changed things in your life. It’s pretty amazing how something that seems so simple can help us learn something about ourselves. Thanks for sharing!
Congratulations, everyone, on finishing! I am more than a bit behind you and am hoping I can complete the challenge with the same gusto and style that all of you have! Thank you, Traci, for the challenge.
My days can be found at: http://annclinations.blogspot.com/
Ann, I just checked out what you’ve been doing, and it all looks great! Thanks for joining the challenge, and keep it up! You’re over half way there.
This has been a fun experience… and a bit of a challenge as I am also doing separate art and blog for the Project 365 this year. Blogging about both was the hard part… doing the art was fun! My poor family wondered about me on occasion. Well, I guess they probably always wonder about me! Yes, I’m addicted to art.
Thanks for hosting this, Traci! Congrats to you and all the 30 Day Challengers!
Here’s my day 30: http://hhcampbell.blogspot.com/2011/07/30-days-july-30-hearts.html
what a beautiful page for your last day! congrats on making it to the finish line!
Congratulations on this!!! I’m going to try it myself this month of August!!! Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh, and are you doing another 30 day challenge for August….or is this an ongoing idea..month by month.
Beautiful pages!
I had a great time with Getting My Art On.
Here’s another blog post I finally got done about it:
http://kimberiginals.blogspot.com/2011/08/30-days-of-get-your-art-on.html
Traci, I agree with your point about feeling empowered when we accomplish a challenge or commitment. That is one of the things that pushes me to DO what I commit to, the idea of looking back with pride and power. Love these pages; I like the imagery and the red glaze pen really pops against the black.
Tammy, I find I have troubles with some commitments, really only when they are made just to myself it seems. And I love the feeling of keeping my “public” commitments of making art & blogging. Even though it can be time consuming at times, or even feel like a chore, I’m so happy that I stick to it. I’m thinking I need to start another 30 days for September.
I’m in for 30 days, and beyond!!!
Olá Traci,
Linda sua art journal.
Amei esta pagina de gratidão.
Beijos e tudo de bom!