The 100 Day Project
I just wrapped up year two of The 100 Day Project, an art project where people from all around the world commit to 100 days of creativity. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you do it every day for 100 days. You are also encouraged to post your work on social media every day in order to share with and connect to the broader 100 day community. Before I get into my experience this year, I feel it’s important to share where I started last year.
When I first heard of the project I was intrigued. I’ve always considered myself crafty and creative but never artistic, and yet the thought of a daily art practice sounded really fun - so I went for it! I bough a sketch book and markers and set out to draw something every day for 100 days. The first weeks of the project I didn’t even want my husband to see what I was drawing because I was embarrassed and yet I posted them on everyday. The more I drew and posted, the less afraid I was to show my work. My art muscle was being stretched and strengthened as was my realization that you have to start somewhere! Some drawings I was proud of and others were just so dumb that I didn’t want to tag my name next to them-but I did. The first project helped me to see that you don’t have to be an expert at something in order to do it. And if you never start, you will never get better!
This year I entered the project with a little more confidence a lot of excitement and a totally different medium-colored pencils. Pro tip (though i’m not a pro) - invest in quality materials! Don’t, for example, start out with cheap-y pencils and then have a friend show you the light of quality materials weeks in to the project. Don’t do that. Consider me the friend who tells you to invest in quality, you don’t need top-of-the-line, just a smidge better than the bottom.
I made a few other changes in year two that led to a really enjoyable 100 day experience. The biggest change was allowing myself to skip days. In year one of the project I missed a few days here and there and it felt like such a chore to make them up. So this year I gave myself permission to not fret over missed days. If I missed a day, then I missed a day and simply jumped back in on the next-no big deal.
In year one, my project was really broad. I didn’t set any boundaries for myself so when I sat down to do the project, I was forced to come up with something new to draw every day which became overwhelming. This year, I went to the library and checked out a number of books on flowers, plants, and trees. I chose to focus on drawing nature items from the books. It was really helpful to have some guidelines when showing up to draw every day. I think it could be helpful to narrow it even more for next year. I saw some projects where people drew the same thing every day with only a slight variation-what creativity!
The last big difference was I posted and tagged the same exact things every day. One broader vignette shot, one close up shot, and one time lapse video (if I had one, most days I did). I don't know why but the consistency of this was really enjoyable to me and I feel like It helped me connect with the broader 100 day community a little bit better. I loved seeing people from all over the globe use their unique talents to create beautiful and interesting things. People are so cool, interesting, and creative!
I don’t know that i’ve improved much from year one to year two but I have become more comfortable with where I am. Some days I surprise myself with what i’m able to create and other days I still feel like those drawings are dumb, but it’s all part of the process. The thing is, if you have a desire to create something, it’s worth at least trying. Maybe it will be a disaster but more likely, you will get joy out of the creative process and surprise yourself with what you are capable of. And I have a strong suspicion that your efforts may bring joy and encouragement to others! If the 100 day project seems to big, then start smaller. The point isn’t to check a box but rather to find joy in creating!
As far as next year’s project goes, I haven’t decided what i’d like to do but I know that I am in!