27 Comments

I love seeing the affirmations all laid out in a grid! What a great project♥️ I appreciate also reading all your insights from the project. I'm definitely not a planner or an organizer so I love this glimpse into the brain of someone who is! ♥️♥️♥️

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I agree about the organization. I want to be the kind of person who sits and does the thing in a routine manner, but I am the kind of person who remembers, then squirrels, then remembers, then gets lost trying to find the ipad, then is thirsty, then is suddenly in the laundry room...

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:) I can really appreciate that description….and I see how that would make things hard. I admit that I do really dig in on certain times of the day that I do creative work (draw, digital art, etc.).

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Thank you, Melissa, for looking and commenting. I feel like I didn’t do any planning this time….so it’s interesting to me to see that it comes across that way! I am glad you are here.

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"It is okay to live in my current season of life with its unique limitations, liberties or loveliness."

Congratulations on finishing your 100 day project. As I was reading your post, something occurred to me. In addition to thinking of the affirmations and their connection to you and your life, I was also trying them on and seeing if they fit in mine. So my reaction to being a beacon of hope was more about looking in the mirror and seeing myself in that affirmation. My brain made it all about me (I am imagining taking your comics and replacing your head/face with mine).

I have some questions about digital journaling and apps, I am going to try to remember to ask you during our drawing meet up. In case that thought flies the coop, is there a calendar/planner application that ties into, or is similar to goodnotes? I typically prefer a paper planner, so I can write on it, but maybe there is a digital planner that allows the same?

I am looking forward to working on ICAD in June, although I am already questioning my project. I am going to try to do updates on my substack, since it needs love and attention.

If I try to be too assertive with my verbs in affirmations, it feels impossible. I can confidently use "I am" for affirmations that have a sliver of truth, but need to be nurtured and affirmed. "I will" is harder. What if I don't? Did I fail? I don't mean to an outside observer, I mean will I feel like a failure? Will that stop me in my tracks?

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Thank you, Laura. This means a lot because really that was part of it — something really lost in how I talked about it today, I think. I hoped that they would be words that others would try on or see in themselves or find resonance with…. Exactly as you said. I think looking at them and your brain making it all about you is a perfect way to response, truly. So thank you.

I know our time was short today — but yes… you could use Goodnotes for a planner. There are free ones out there you could install and try to get a sense of how that works and what things you “want” in a digital planner. I’ve been using Goodnotes this year as a planner, in addition to other things. I didn’t find the “perfect” template at the start of the year, so I keep hacking away at what I’m using, but I definitely recommend giving it a try if you are already explore Goodnotes.

I love the affirmation you started with. Wonderful.

Interesting about verbs. To me, “will” puts it off in the future, different than saying this “is” true. To me, I “am” is harder because it may or not be true right now, but that’s how affirmations work. Interesting how the words sometimes strikes us differently. Finding those nuances is how we personalize.

Have a good week!

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Jun 2Liked by Amy Cowen

I felt that too after completing my 100 day project. Like now what. I did word journaling (as opposed to art journaling) and have done a few days since the end of the project, which was my hope, to keep it going. But it feels odd not to add a number like 45/100.

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Keep numbering! If that helps you, then do it. There have been times with other challenges that I have kept going and counting that way. Counting can be a powerful motivator. — and congratulations on finishing your challenge, too. ❤️

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Amy, I can't recall a time I ever set out to do something for 100 days and actually did it. I'm sure I chickened out before I even tried! So, applause to you for seeing this through, and for how you look at it the results both practically and emotionally. I don't know how the large image with all the tiles translates to weeks, but I'd be curious about what might (or might not) have been happening during the longer stretches that, looking back, did not have a favorite. Or, conversely, what was going on when you favored several in close succession.

We've all come across books, or sites, filled with scripted affirmations, and I think I've already mentioned being able to envision this one "packaged" in a way that others could enjoy. That said, I love how you did the work of making each one your own. I guess, in some ways, all writing is like that. All art, really. The viewers can appreciate it for what they see or experience, but they'll never know exactly the thoughts of the creator.

Well done! Thank you!

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Thank you for your comment, Elizabeth, and for following along throughout these weeks and months. I think that’s an interesting question about the timing and the stretches. I can see how you might be right that certain trends or ebbs and flows might align with real-world moments.

It would be fun to at least share this in a small zine format. Goals, right? (But 100 is so many.)

I think you are right about the beauty of art — visual and our writing — when a viewer or reader looks from her own lens, interprets, overlays, and finds resonance. When that happens, it sure feels special.

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What a fine collection!

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Thank you, Kortney!

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This is the most amazing project, and it's great to see all of the images together! I love it so much. And I've gotten to know you over the last 4 months or so, and these comics have helped provide a doorway. It's been so great. Thanks Amy for your ongoing generosity. I've played with Procreate, and want to play some more.

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Thank you, Nan. I appreciate your words. I be Procreate is a good tool for you as you work on the project you’ve outlined for the summer!

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Jun 2Liked by Amy Cowen

Congrats on finishing! This year I did not. I am super stuck on the idea that I can’t commit to a long challenge during my school year. Maybe it’s not actually true! One of my goals for the summer is to get an iPad and learn about Procreate. I’d like to make content for my classroom and share it on something like Teachers Pay Teachers. All that to say, you’ve inspired me—it feels attainable. It just takes practice to get better! Thanks for sharing!!

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Thank you, Jen. I can really see the 100 starting in your school year being a stumbling block or hurdle in so many ways. Maybe it doesn’t have to be, as you said, but I can see how it could just seem like “too much.” You could always do your own 100 in the summer? Love your plans for using Procreate and putting your printable at TPT.

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Jun 3Liked by Amy Cowen

Your cards, 100 day project, are amazing! Your perseverance is admirable. Each square is a treat to behold. I can see these as a boxed set. Don’t you hate when people say that?

I have 3 sets of inspirational cards from my younger sister. She keeps thinking she can change who I am. I am afraid it is to late.

I have Procreate and an Apple Pencil but have not done anything with either. I am envious of anyone who can create with it. My own fault as I am technology challenged. I need a good instructor for the basics. And I need to be able to watch it over and over again.

I am not a planner either… no matter how I try. My 100 days became 100 days of creating. It worked for me. I didn’t need to post.

I love your arms out and the rainbow….I release the fears.

I am dong ICAD again but I do it my way which I know is ok. I love seeing the cards at the end in a nice bundle with a big ribbon around them all. I go back when they are complete and use some as cards for friends or family glueing them on to lovely Strathmore paper cards with their own envelopes.

Thank you so much for posting your thoughts. You can express yourself like no one else I know.

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Thanks so much, Gail! I really love that your sister has given you sets of inspirational cards. That’s really cool. Did she make them (as in is she also an artist like you)? I’m laughing at your “it is too late” comment. It is never too late.

If procreate is of interest, dive in! There are so many ways you can use it. There are some excellent YouTube teachers for Procreate — which allows you to work along with the person and learn how to do certain things (and stop and start as needed). The first one I used last summer isn’t the kind of art I make, but I really enjoyed some Art with Flo tutorials. Another person I know many people enjoy is Lisa Bardot — her channel is something different, but if you search on her name and procreate, I’m sure you’ll find her.

I look forward to seeing your ICAD - your work is always beautiful and inspiring.

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Thank you for the Procreate tips. I have a few Sketchbook Skool classes I have never taken on Procreate but have paid for.

No, this sister is not an artist but a very active and much loved person by many, many people. Our personalities are night and day. I am introvert and she is extrovert plus! Very thoughtful and caring and has so much energy.

I am the first born and she is 7 years younger. My parents were young when I was born. My Dad was orphaned and went to war, WWII at 17. Imagine the PTSD he endured and the stuff he passed on to me. His career was in the military. But he really wanted to be an artist! He could create cartoons like no one I know.

This sister is the golden child of 4 girls. Always sunny and happy and so cute.

The youngest sister, 14 years younger than me, is the real artist. She lives in Asia, now Taiwan, and has for over 20 years. She attended art school and as a teacher in ESL used her art in many ways to enrich her students’ lives. @Formosa_feathered_friend on IG . She now creates colored pencil drawings of endangered birds in Taiwan. Please check out her art.

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Thanks for the ICAD podcast episode Amy! I still listen! I am sorry to hear that Apple Podcasts doesn’t tell you stats on who listens, eg if at all. That must be terribly frustrating.

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Thanks, Lauren!

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100 days, one after the other. Well done to you.

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Thank you, Zannie!

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Wow, this is amazing! It's great to see all the drawings together and learn about your process.

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Thank you, Kelcey.

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What an awesome project! I love your affirmations and creative designs. ❤️

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