Considering my options for the 100 Day Project. Picking a "just right" project is the only way to set myself up for success with this creative challenge!
Thanks Amy, I love the ways you think about #the100dayproject and your advice has helped me select projects I enjoyed (and completed!) the past two years running. My topic seemed to find me this year, after lots of reflection on the trajectory of my art practice since my youth. The idea surprised me and maybe that is a good thing. I’m reminded of the advice from David Bowie “If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.”
Amy, as you know, I am part of Illustrated Life not because I am an illustrator, but because I appreciate how you approach creativity and how it is infused in everything you see and do. Your lists overwhelm *me* but I suppose my list would overwhelm someone else. It's all about what attracts us and holds our attention, right? Your opening paragraphs this week are SO perfectly timed for me (I imagine for all of us). --> "Don’t spend all of your time thinking that everyone else knows how to best walk the path." You were all the way inside my head on that one! That age-old tendency to think I'm the only one who doesn't have it figured out. I know that's hogwash, but the mind, she is a trickster sometimes! Thank you for helping me find my way back to the truth of myself.
Currently, my "socks" are tan, fuzzy slippers, and it feels good to have my tootsies otherwise free.
K: klunk, kaput, kindness
100 days of noticing something different
Surprises: So many birds singing! Also, 1/4 of all the bones in our bodies are in our feet.
I'm not wearing socks and don't wish for any. My toenail polish is Berry Naughty, if that counts.
Knuckle, Kaleidoscope, Kernel
I will not be setting myself up to crash and burn on a 100 Day project. I love (ha) to give myself ambitious projects and schedules (exercise, reading, writing, art-ing) that I then scuttle 3 days later. So maybe I'm going to outsmart myself and not plan anything!
Surprise this week: It was so insanely windy Friday morning that I had to struggle to get my car door open and keep it from slamming closed on me.
As usual, overwhelmed by the weight of the material. The intro material was deep and comforting.
I like delimiters, too, so 100 appeals. But what? I like the image of toothy.
You mention socks. I could knit some more, but what does 10 minutes of knitting get you?
So still casting about for a project. Like your idea of throwing ideas at a wall to see what sticks.
Socks: bright pink compression hose from Figs with images of pills. Message on the bottom of the foot: Meditate, with the first “t” crossed out and replaced with “c” (medicate, like the pills). I love these socks. They are very easy to put on.
I tried to get all the ks in one word with kinnikinick. One meaning is a plant, red-osier dogwood, Cornus sericia. But an alternative spelling, kinnikinnick, is a Native smoking mix of bark, berries and tobacco.
I might think about finding an odd word each day for 100. Like shampoo or titter. But most words look odd if you view them crosswise.
If only I had time to do a 100-day project. Like you, I have an exhaustive list of things I’m already doing.
Amy, your list definitely sounds exhausting, but I have to say that I am grateful for all the creative things you bring into the world and the engagement within each community is a favorite of mine. Thank you.
Today, I am wearing my lucky Detroit Lions gameday socks that I have worn every Lions game day this season. They are grey and white tiger stripes. On the first game day, I said to myself, "eh, Tigers, Lions, close enough." Very much like a sentiment that every Lions fan would have on the first game of the season. This year is different, but the socks, they stay! After a brief discussion, my husband and I both agree that we wish our socks were sand. Its the time of year that every Michigander is craving sun and warmth.
Three K words - kudos, kookaburra, kewpie (which always reminds me of the Halo Burger chains in Flint, MI, near where I grew up, it's the name of the chain they started as).
I doubt I will be doing the 100 days challenge. Normally, in February I do the "WTFEB - what the February" challenge put together by Steve Chapman (@steveexoh on IG), but he's not doing that any longer. So, I think during February, I'll just continue to chug away at IYW and maybe finish the many books that I've started.
The most unexpected thing this week was seeing "ja-ikes" as the first word on the J list. 😂
Your view on how to approach the 100 day project has been very helpful to read as I'm trying to figure out how to choose something to actually finish. Thanks!
Loved this Amy... as I read I had to stop and write in this weeks Illustrated week
“100 days doing one project... or... one hundred projects in a single day”
Which sums up how I feel every year I attempt 100 days. Last year I chose two (collage a day and class a day) then we lost a family member and I had nothing left to give. I let both challenges go - it simply didn’t matter in the big scheme of things... but what I did realise is in the background I had continued on doing a daily 365 drawing of critters (which ironically lasted until day 110) at the end of the day I did the challenge and completed it, it just wasn’t what I envisaged.
This year I’m still percolating ideas, I might let it go to concentrate on my illustrated weeks, I might try to be nuts and do three this year. BUT all that to say I like your idea of “tooth” I do need something to grow with.
And alas no socks here - high humidity has me melting daily. Do eyeballs sweat? Because that’s the point I’m at!
Keep, kindness, kettle. I'm wearing fuzzy white socks and one has a tiny hole starting in the toe. Lol. I've never done a 100 day project but it sounds fun. I'm not sure what I'd do for it. It would have to be something fairly simple and quick that I could incorporate into my journal, but interesting enough that I would stick with it. So far Illustrate Your Week is the only project I've been able to stick with. :-)
I was wearing pink socks this morning when I first read your post. You gave me the courage to try two new things today. Thank you! I was wonky me but I did them! K list: Killer Keller (a personal high school reference) kickball and kinetic
I thought immediately of Keening and Kerning, two ways we respond to a world that does not fit our expectations. Two ways of closing the space between heartbreaks. Two expressions of rage and resistance, one orderly and controlled, one decidedly not. And of course Kryptonite, because I am failing yet again to comprehend the source and limits of my power.
Perhaps I will let all that go for now, put on earmuffs, and refill my pen again. And again. It never occurred to me that I would not have to make 100 things.
I wore green heathered socks this morning but took them off as the day got warmer. I was just hanging out at home---trying to kick this little cold out of my system so I can work tomorrow. If I could choose, I’d get turquoise fuzzy socks.
I think I won’t do a 100 day project this year, but as we get closer to Feb 18 FOMO may get me! I adore the ICAD in the summer.
Handknit rainbow striped socks with black heels and toes.
No wish for something else. Most days I wear colourful hand knit socks. They make me happy.
Kindness
Kaweco
Knick Knack
I am still thinking about the 100 days. I made a shortlist and going to do a trial the next week to see if it could work. If not, I will just keep going with the 365 somethings and do them 100 days in a row :)
My socks are black. I wear a lot of black (it matches itself and most anything else) but I would kind of like to be wearing rainbow socks! Kaleidoscope, kite, Kringle. Thanks for all the ideas and inspiration in this post!
Thanks Amy, I love the ways you think about #the100dayproject and your advice has helped me select projects I enjoyed (and completed!) the past two years running. My topic seemed to find me this year, after lots of reflection on the trajectory of my art practice since my youth. The idea surprised me and maybe that is a good thing. I’m reminded of the advice from David Bowie “If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.”
Black. Always black. No other wish for colors, I like not having to choose.
Knack, knock, knives
I am considering the project. Will definitely tie it into ceramics in some way if I do.
No surprises in my week, just little glimmers to remind me life is good.
Amy, as you know, I am part of Illustrated Life not because I am an illustrator, but because I appreciate how you approach creativity and how it is infused in everything you see and do. Your lists overwhelm *me* but I suppose my list would overwhelm someone else. It's all about what attracts us and holds our attention, right? Your opening paragraphs this week are SO perfectly timed for me (I imagine for all of us). --> "Don’t spend all of your time thinking that everyone else knows how to best walk the path." You were all the way inside my head on that one! That age-old tendency to think I'm the only one who doesn't have it figured out. I know that's hogwash, but the mind, she is a trickster sometimes! Thank you for helping me find my way back to the truth of myself.
Currently, my "socks" are tan, fuzzy slippers, and it feels good to have my tootsies otherwise free.
K: klunk, kaput, kindness
100 days of noticing something different
Surprises: So many birds singing! Also, 1/4 of all the bones in our bodies are in our feet.
No socks...I prefer bare feet unless it’s so cold I can’t stand it.
Kerfuffle, kaleidoscope, kale
Not sure about a 100 day project...grateful for 18 days of February to ruminate about it before it officially begins.
I'm not wearing socks and don't wish for any. My toenail polish is Berry Naughty, if that counts.
Knuckle, Kaleidoscope, Kernel
I will not be setting myself up to crash and burn on a 100 Day project. I love (ha) to give myself ambitious projects and schedules (exercise, reading, writing, art-ing) that I then scuttle 3 days later. So maybe I'm going to outsmart myself and not plan anything!
Surprise this week: It was so insanely windy Friday morning that I had to struggle to get my car door open and keep it from slamming closed on me.
Thanks for the good words.
My socks are black. Orange socks would make me smile.
Key, kayak, kaleidoscope.
First inkling was collage but I did that last year. More noodling required.
Surprised how sick I was/am last week. Haven’t had a cold for years and it’s taking a toll.
As usual, overwhelmed by the weight of the material. The intro material was deep and comforting.
I like delimiters, too, so 100 appeals. But what? I like the image of toothy.
You mention socks. I could knit some more, but what does 10 minutes of knitting get you?
So still casting about for a project. Like your idea of throwing ideas at a wall to see what sticks.
Socks: bright pink compression hose from Figs with images of pills. Message on the bottom of the foot: Meditate, with the first “t” crossed out and replaced with “c” (medicate, like the pills). I love these socks. They are very easy to put on.
I tried to get all the ks in one word with kinnikinick. One meaning is a plant, red-osier dogwood, Cornus sericia. But an alternative spelling, kinnikinnick, is a Native smoking mix of bark, berries and tobacco.
I might think about finding an odd word each day for 100. Like shampoo or titter. But most words look odd if you view them crosswise.
If only I had time to do a 100-day project. Like you, I have an exhaustive list of things I’m already doing.
Amy, your list definitely sounds exhausting, but I have to say that I am grateful for all the creative things you bring into the world and the engagement within each community is a favorite of mine. Thank you.
Today, I am wearing my lucky Detroit Lions gameday socks that I have worn every Lions game day this season. They are grey and white tiger stripes. On the first game day, I said to myself, "eh, Tigers, Lions, close enough." Very much like a sentiment that every Lions fan would have on the first game of the season. This year is different, but the socks, they stay! After a brief discussion, my husband and I both agree that we wish our socks were sand. Its the time of year that every Michigander is craving sun and warmth.
Three K words - kudos, kookaburra, kewpie (which always reminds me of the Halo Burger chains in Flint, MI, near where I grew up, it's the name of the chain they started as).
I doubt I will be doing the 100 days challenge. Normally, in February I do the "WTFEB - what the February" challenge put together by Steve Chapman (@steveexoh on IG), but he's not doing that any longer. So, I think during February, I'll just continue to chug away at IYW and maybe finish the many books that I've started.
The most unexpected thing this week was seeing "ja-ikes" as the first word on the J list. 😂
Your view on how to approach the 100 day project has been very helpful to read as I'm trying to figure out how to choose something to actually finish. Thanks!
As for socks, barefoot at the moment.
Wish I was wearing any of my BlueQ socks.
Key, kiwi, kin.
Still making lists of things I could do.
No surprises! Which seems pretty good for me ;)
Loved this Amy... as I read I had to stop and write in this weeks Illustrated week
“100 days doing one project... or... one hundred projects in a single day”
Which sums up how I feel every year I attempt 100 days. Last year I chose two (collage a day and class a day) then we lost a family member and I had nothing left to give. I let both challenges go - it simply didn’t matter in the big scheme of things... but what I did realise is in the background I had continued on doing a daily 365 drawing of critters (which ironically lasted until day 110) at the end of the day I did the challenge and completed it, it just wasn’t what I envisaged.
This year I’m still percolating ideas, I might let it go to concentrate on my illustrated weeks, I might try to be nuts and do three this year. BUT all that to say I like your idea of “tooth” I do need something to grow with.
And alas no socks here - high humidity has me melting daily. Do eyeballs sweat? Because that’s the point I’m at!
Keep, kindness, kettle. I'm wearing fuzzy white socks and one has a tiny hole starting in the toe. Lol. I've never done a 100 day project but it sounds fun. I'm not sure what I'd do for it. It would have to be something fairly simple and quick that I could incorporate into my journal, but interesting enough that I would stick with it. So far Illustrate Your Week is the only project I've been able to stick with. :-)
I was wearing pink socks this morning when I first read your post. You gave me the courage to try two new things today. Thank you! I was wonky me but I did them! K list: Killer Keller (a personal high school reference) kickball and kinetic
Another shot to the heart.
I thought immediately of Keening and Kerning, two ways we respond to a world that does not fit our expectations. Two ways of closing the space between heartbreaks. Two expressions of rage and resistance, one orderly and controlled, one decidedly not. And of course Kryptonite, because I am failing yet again to comprehend the source and limits of my power.
Perhaps I will let all that go for now, put on earmuffs, and refill my pen again. And again. It never occurred to me that I would not have to make 100 things.
I wore green heathered socks this morning but took them off as the day got warmer. I was just hanging out at home---trying to kick this little cold out of my system so I can work tomorrow. If I could choose, I’d get turquoise fuzzy socks.
I think I won’t do a 100 day project this year, but as we get closer to Feb 18 FOMO may get me! I adore the ICAD in the summer.
Handknit rainbow striped socks with black heels and toes.
No wish for something else. Most days I wear colourful hand knit socks. They make me happy.
Kindness
Kaweco
Knick Knack
I am still thinking about the 100 days. I made a shortlist and going to do a trial the next week to see if it could work. If not, I will just keep going with the 365 somethings and do them 100 days in a row :)
My socks are black. I wear a lot of black (it matches itself and most anything else) but I would kind of like to be wearing rainbow socks! Kaleidoscope, kite, Kringle. Thanks for all the ideas and inspiration in this post!