Reflections : Week 7 →

Week 7 Prompts:

Day 37 - Calm

Day 38 - Hand beading on print

Day 39 - Wax Pastels

Day 40 - Scrape the paint

Day 41 - Chaos

This week has been primarily about experiments with mixing and layering of paint. I really enjoyed scraping the acrylic paint which gave such beautiful organic and energetic textures. I definitely feel as though this is a technique I will explore in future projects.

What did I learn from this week?

I have been learning grace for myself relating to my creative rhythms. I sometimes expect myself to work at the same rate with the same intensity of energy throughout the week. There will be days when energy is low. Especially as I have been ill most of the week and having a day off is necessary; even in lockdown when the days blur together. Rest is essential to create a sustainable creative practice.

Reflections : Week 6 →

Week 6 Prompts:

Day 31 - Glitch

Day 32 - Mist

Day 33 - Waves

Day 34 -Geometric

Day 35 -Sharp

Day 36 - Sky

In terms of colour scheme, I allowed myself to be instinctive with my colour combinations. Then, it was apparent of the colours that I naturally gravitate towards which are purples, blues and pink. I think my ultimate challenge is using this colour scheme for a wearable print for an everyday wardrobe.

What did I learn from this week?

I’m learning that consistency is essential to make excellent work. I think often as creatives we don’t treat our work as a serious craft that takes years to cultivate. Waiting for inspiration to strike will not get me to produce work that challenges and grows my skills. Ultimately, it will take many uninspired days of doing even a small amount of the process to push me forward ; just like the days I have had this week.

Reflections : Week 5 →

Week 5 Prompts:

Day 25 - Colour Blocks

Day 26 - Movement

Day 27 - Paint Splatter

Day 28 - Markers

Day 29 - Patchwork

Day 30 - Maze

I focused on using the colour range of pink and red. I enjoyed the days of the using mark making with simple lines especially with the markers, which gave those prints an energy of playfulness. It was a challenge using red because I often find that using darker shades of red, quickly reminds me of blood.

What did I learn from this week?

I have been pondering the misery that is caused by perfectionism. I found the following quote from Dallas Willard, a true depiction of the effect of such a mindset.

“And then there are the pure in heart, the ones for whom nothing is good enough, not even themselves…these are the perfectionists. They are a pain to everyone, themselves most of all. In religion they will certainly find errors in your doctrine, your practice, and probably your heart and your attitude. They may be even harder on themselves. They endlessly pick over their own motivations…Their food is never cooked right; their clothes and hair are always unsatisfactory; they can tell you what is wrong with everything. How miserable they are!”

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.