21 days of brave

written April 2018

I came across a project #21daysofbrave which was instigated by artist @meredithcbullock. The project invites artists to engage in their practice, daily, for 21 days. I’d never done anything like this, but the timing seemed right for me as I struggled to make time for mark-making amidst a full life. 

I worked in a polymorphic way, having multiple works, running many divergent conversations at the same time. decided to constrict my parameters, stick with A5 (or sketchbook) and introduced some simple line drawings of botanicals. I found myself reaching for new colour and brushes, experimenting with texture and finding new ways to layer and trail marks across the page.

Some days it was a struggle to make the time, but I was always thankful when I did. Feeling calmer and more connected with myself and what was going on around me. Art has been the only medium I have ever found that has come close to expressing all of these layers. To make me feel like there’s a way to authentically express the multifarious nature of my thoughts and sensations.

I think the structure of the daily commitment helped me reconsider how I spend my time and created more possibility to #carveouttimeforart. I was intrigued by what was unearthed, the connections I made and the enthusiastic response from the beautiful social media community.