I'm participating a new art challenge, #20for20ArtChallenge2022 starting on January 1st. The challenge is organized by Kelly Anne Powers from the Learn to Paint Podcast. I love listening to her interviews with working artists and learning from their experiences specifically as painters.
My main goal for participating is to feel good about carving out time for myself to paint every day. I am one of those people that needs an outside influence to hold me accountable, like an art challenge or an art class. Without one an accountability partner, it is too easy for me to focus on serving others instead of taking care of myself. This challenge is a way to set aside 20 minutes for 20 days to make art.
Since I am only committing to 20 minutes every day, my project is small and fast. I will draw a page of small black and white paintings using India ink from my family photos. I want to learn how to compose shapes within a different kinds of rectangles. I especially enjoy playing with the backgrounds in family photos and turning them into exciting negative shapes. Using ink and a brush gives me the freedom to ignore small details and focus on the whole picture.
A secondary goal for me is to connect with other artists who are participating in the #20for20ArtChallenge2022 challenge on Instagram. Part of what makes art fun is talking with other artists and learning how they approach making their art. There is an infinite number of methods and I love sharing and learning techniques with others. I feels good to know that I'm not the only one who gets frustrated when I paint.
I'm reading "The Power of Daily Practice: How Creative and Performing Artists (and Everyone Else) Can Finally Meet Their Goals" by Eric Maisel. Part I includes the 20 Elements of Practice and I'll read about one Element every day during the challenge. I want to think about how to incorporate the Element into my painting practice.
I'll post my thoughts on the Element and my painting for the day here on the blog. Follow me and the #20For20ArtChallenge2022 on Instagram to support my fellow artists.