Reflections : Week 4 →

Week 4 Prompts:

Day 19 - Brushstrokes

Day 20 - Mosaic

Day 21 - Ink

Day 22 - Wildflower

Day 23 - View from the Window

Day 24 - Herringbone

I focused on simply using the colour orange as a base for my prints during the fourth week. I really enjoyed experimenting with the ink and creating gradients of colours. It was interesting that some of the brushstrokes prints looked like clouds when the paint dried. This is a reminder that sometimes pieces that I think are ruined during the process of making, can actually become surprisingly beautiful once dried.

What did I learn from this week?

Curiosity is a wonderful motivator to learn and overcome procrastination. I found that the more eager I was to learn something this week; the easier it was to engage with it. I think maybe it was partly due to the fact that I was able to shift focus from the ‘self’ and the awareness of what knowledge I lacked. Then, instead I was able focus on the practice and enjoy the fact that there was so much more to be learnt.

Reflections : Week 3 →

Week 3 Prompts:

Day 13 - Spiral

Day 14 - Shapes

Day 15 - Scribble

Day 16 - Sound

Day 17 - Cut outs

Day 18 - Graph Paper

I focused on simply using the colour green as a base for my prints during the third week. I really struggled during this week with getting started and often felt like my experimentations looked too similar to the previous week’s.

What did I learn from this week?

I am learning to take my experimental approach to printmaking to other parts of my practice. I often get overwhelmed by the seeming complexity of pattern cutting. Yet, by actually changing the approach allows me to enjoy the process, even if the outcome is a ‘failure’.

Reflections : Week 2 →

Week 2 Prompts:

Day 7 - Colour Combinations

Day 8 - Layers of Paint

Day 9 - Collage

Day 10 - Weave

Day 11 - Symmetry

Day 12 - Monochromatic

This week focused on experimentation with various combinations of colour related to purple. It was really enjoyable because it is one of the colours that I naturally gravitate towards.

What did I learn from this week?

I was reminded of the fact that the original purpose of undertaking this challenge and even the craft of design is something I had thoroughly enjoyed. Then, I was caught in the hurry to achieve the things I thought would prove that I am a ‘good’ designer. Unfortunately that striving was a trap that simply lead to burnout and suffocation of joy.

I am learning more about the beauty of enjoying the process. It is such a blessing that I get to create and I hope to delve deeper into that mindset, regardless of the outcome of this challenge.

100 Days of Print. Reflections : Week 1 →

What is the 100 Days of Printmaking Challenge?

100 days. Each day has a daily prompt.

I started the printmaking challenge to get an opportunity to experiment and enjoy the process of mark making. I find that rush and hurry to get to the end goal of past projects can eliminate the joy of creating. I want to take time to create for 100 days as a way of enjoying this creative gift.

Week 1 Prompts:

Day 1 - Continuous lines

Day 2 - Stripes

Day 3 - Swirl

Day 4 - Circles

Day 5 - Dots

Day 6 - Space

In terms of colour scheme, I allowed myself to be instinctive with my colour combinations. Then, it was apparent that the colours that I naturally gravitate towards are purples, blues and pink.