The past several months, well really this whole year so far, I have been incredibly busy working. Busier than a person really should be. And since doing my 30 Days of Carving and 30 Days of Journaling, the only art work I’ve really done has been to make samples to go along with some magazine articles that I wrote and some workshop proposals. I know I really, really, REALLY need to make art on a regular basis, if not every day. It keeps me balanced and happy, which in turn helps everything else fall in to place. But it’s the first thing to go by the way side when I’m really busy. I still haven’t figured out how to not have to work so many hours every day.
Some things have been brewing in me, and I worked in my journal last night. I realized that with the first of the month tomorrow, the timing is perfect (and necessary for me) to do another 30 days of something. The most obvious choice for what that 30 days is about, is, well, making art! So I am committing to making art every day for 30 days. And I’m calling it 30 Days of Get Your Art On. I know it’s not grammatically correct. So what. Some years ago, I made buttons that said “Get Your Art On”, and I also taught some workshops with that title. I love the expression and I like to use it. So I just stuck a 30 Days in Front of it. The way I see it, it’s 30 Days of “Get Your Art On.” So yeah, it really does make sense. Here are my rules:
- I’ll make art every day for 30 days and post what I have done.
- I don’t have to finish what ever I’m working on that day, I just have to work on something.
- I have to work for 30 minutes, but can work longer if time permits.
- It doesn’t matter what I do for the art making, as long as I work on art.
- I won’t feel guilty for taking the time to work on art and I won’t have to justify why I’m doing it.
- I don’t have to go into detail in my post about how I did anything or what tools, materials I used (unless I want to).
My real hope is that this will help get me back on track for figuring out a working schedule of sorts, and that art making will become part of my daily routine, even after the 30 days is over. And, that I’ll get better (and be gentle with myself) about not putting creative time and art making as the last thing on my to-do list, which means it often gets neglected. It really needs to be the first since I’m an artist and that’s how I make my living.
I hope you’ll join me in taking a pledge to make some art every day for 30 days. Decide what you want your rules to be in order for this to be a fun and positive experience for you. Be sure they are realistic and doable so that you aren’t setting yourself up for failure, and then beating yourself up when you break the rules. If you’d like to join in, please put the 30 Days of Get Your Art On badge on your blog. Just copy the code from the right sidebar, under the button.
I’m in. I’m totally in. The simple truth is that I am happier when I do some form of art each day. {and it’s pretty sad when I can’t even do the CAPTCHA code without a retry}…
I’m IN !!!!
the button is already on my blog!!!
can’t wait
Art Love
Nessa, Pretty Days
I’m in! Grabbing the button now! Thanks for the added incentive, Traci!
What a GREAT idea!!! I’ll play along.
I think I’ll adopt your rules, but art for me will include spinning or weaving or dying fibers for either of those arts.
I am in too! Gotta keep the creative juices flowing!
i’m in!
Love the idea! My holidays start today so this is a perfect time to do this! Will grab a button and start creating!
I am so happy you’re doing this, Traci. So happy!!!
I have been overwhelmed with health, our move to Florida, my depression and just life in general and find that I am in my studio only an hour or two all week and half of that is spent on the computer. So count me in!
I need to be accountable and really push myself back into the world where I feel the best, where I feel peace…and that world is my creativity. Yes, count me in!
Peace & Love,
~Barb~
It sounds like the timing is perfect for you to do this!
Sounds great! I don’t know how to do the button thing, but I did write a post about it. What a fun idea!
You can copy the code that is listed right underneath the “button”, or some places call them badges, on the right sidebar. Then you can paste that code onto your website or blog. That will tell people that you are participating, it’ll spread the word, and it creates a link so that people can click on it to bring them here. I did all of that (the coding with links)–you just have to past the code on your blog! Let me know if you have questions on how to do it.
I’m in! The badge is up on my site and I’m ready to go! I’ve been doing more art these last few weeks, but it will be so wonderful to give and have support. So glad to have found you all. (I think my previous post was lost — hope this isn’t a duplicate!)
I’m in!
This sounds great! I too have been planning a little daily art for the summer break starting tomorrow. I have a heap of resources (including your previous 30-day challenges) and ideas to ‘inspire’ me (some of which I have linked to on my blog) and will gladly join in supporting you on your endeavours to ‘get your art on’ 🙂 Good luck!
Thanks for the push – Looking forward to making art for 30 days… BUT… Doesn’t July have 31 days?
😀 eirdre
Yes, it does, but I wanted to stick with 30 days like I’ve done in the past. Feel free to make it 31 for yourself!
Hi Traci,
I don’t have a blog yet, but I’m going to go “for the 30 days art-making”. I love this idea, and maybe this will bring some kind of focus into my creative live.
Are there any parameters, or “just do it”?
This will be fun,
cheers,
Lynne Sward
Hi Lynne, It’s ok if you don’t have a blog. The point is to make art!
HI Lynne, I didn’t get this part answered in my previous reply. I set up my own rules, that I listed in the blog post. You can set up your own rules, doing whatever will work best for you.
I’m in! Got the badge up.
this time I am in definitly!!! Posted on my blog about it….;-))
Great challenge Traci! Thank you!
Count me in! My kids are home for the summer and it has been hard to have any regular art time. Being a part of this will help. I will add the button, too.
I’m in too. I will post the button on my blog, and I like your rules too. Just starting my summer holidays and I really need to get back into art as an everyday thing. Thanks for the incentive!
this is my first day http://www.flickr.com/photos/va-nessa/5890241019/in/photostream
i’m in! button on blog and already got the first post up. mine will be mostly if not all, journaling, but whatever… the journaling we do, is very much “art”….. super stoked!
Hi Traci!
You inspired me to blog!! I’m following along with the 30 Days! See my blog at
http://alchemy-artsaves.blogspot.com/2011/07/30-days-of-get-your-art-on-starts-today.html
This is my first attempt at blogging I have a lot to learn and add to my page and look forward to sharing my art in this online community.
Thanks for the opportunity to play along;-)
Sandra
good luck with this.
i call it creative toothbrushing. You wouldn’t go to be without brushing your teeth- don’t go to be d without being creative!
I’m in. Button is on my blog.
Thanks for inspiring me to make it a priority to do the one thing that gives me the most peace each day!
I can identify so much with your text on the left about getting right with my art to feel better about myself. May I use this if I quote you as the author of this thought process?
I have the badge on my blog and the first day’s art is posted. Thanks for the encouragement to spend more time being creative.
I’m in!!!!
I am in!! Blogged and tweeted about it, and got the badge.
I’m in too
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What a great idea. I found you and the 30 Days Get Your Art On from Courtney at Little Raven Ink. Just yesterday I told a friend of mine that I had to make something, anything every day and needed her to help me be accountable since making/creating just makes me happy! Is it too late to join in with you? Also I mentioned Courtney at the end of today’s post on my blog and also mentioned the 30 day and linked it here. Have a great weekend.
Glad you’re joining us, and no, it’s not too late! Your 30 days doesn’t have to start on the first. So just start when you start (if that makes sense).
Okay– I’m ready. I’ve shampooed carpets and washed the dishes. I’m ready to get my art on for 30 days.
Add me! It’s day ONE for me.
Please count me in. Things are hectic but this will keep me in motivated to create everyday. Day #1 will be today.. Thank you!!
I started on day 9 I am in for 30! I have your button on my blog. I havent posted any pictures because I am working on a piece that will take several days and I want to photograph the finished piece 🙂
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I’ve been having lots of fun making journal pages. Will try to get some posted tomorrow.