Tanya Green recently completed her yearlong The Nightly Owl project. Here's her follow-up interview...
When did your project start/end? I
started my project on October 2, 2013. I remember that night as clear
as can be. I was sitting at my computer checking FB, when I glanced over
at my bookcase and spied my copy of your book "365 A Daily Creativity
Journal." I obtained your book back in 2012 at an art teacher conference
where I first heard your story about your year of skulls. I remember
thinking back then, "I could totally do that, but what would my subject
matter be?" After pondering it for the weekend and forgetting about it
for a whole year, I finally decided that I didn't need to have a
specific subject matter...I just needed to start creating.
It
took more time for me to create my blog than for me to create my first
artwork. I was sucked into figuring out the ins and outs of Wordpress
and what my blog would be called. That's why my blog name doesn't match
my journey at all! "The Gnomes Studio" is where you can find my Nightly
Owl journey, however I didn't settle on owls as my theme until day 3.
And no...I was not obsessed with owls before I began. Yes...they are now
an obsession...I wouldn't be able to escape them even if I tried. My
journey ended October 2, 2014.
What are the biggest lessons/skills you learned from doing your project? I
learned that our bodies and minds are amazing objects that can be
altered and trained. Because I work full time and have two kids under
the age of 6, the only time I had to focus and create was between the
hours of 8 and Midnight.
It took time for my body to acclimate to my new schedule. There were
nights and days that I was exhausted and didn't know how I was going to
keep on keeping on. Eventually, I hit my stride and everything became
routine. Before I knew it, I was counting down the days to 365.
Another
lesson I learned, is that I am the one in control of my life and
choices. When I started the project, I was hell bent on sticking to the
prompts in your book for every creation. I was probably about 2/3
through the journey when I realized that I was the one in control and
that I could change the rules if I wanted. What started out as one
creation a night ended up with some works taking more than one night to
finish.
Along
the way I created owls in lots of different ways. I started out
creating with media that I was confident in. I wanted each owl to be
amazing (which I quickly learned was an unobtainable goal). There were
some nights the prompts gave me new media to try that I wouldn't have
other wise considered. Oh, and I wasn't always successful either. There
were times that my owls failed. I learned to be vulnerable, to be
flexible, and to be committed to the process...not the "perfect" end
result.
In what ways did the project change your life? One
big way the project changed my life is that I started to create art
again. I went through a 13 year hiatus from creating my own art. Life
had taken over...job, kids, everyday routines...I forgot about me. It's
easy to put others before you. It's hard to stop and change the
routines, but it's doable.
Over
the past year I've also become a member in a local art gallery and have
begun showing/selling my artwork. Nothing has sold yet, I blame the
market! ;) My 365 journey gave me confidence in my creative abilities. I
probably wouldn't have applied for the gallery if I hadn't started this
journey. It also taught me to take risks. I started a new job in
November which challenges me daily to learn new things. I am constantly
applying the lesson I learned about allowing the process to take place
before perfection. I think I've always been that way...ever since I was a
kid. I wanted to be good and perfect at everything from the get go. I
am constantly reminding myself that it will take time, but I can do it!
Now what? Hmmm.....I know that I need a new commitment...a new goal! I'm not sure what that will be yet. I still have some time to think on it, but I know it's a must! Since starting my new job and ending the journey, I spiraled back down in to my old routines of too much TV and job stress taking over. My days were filled, but I felt drained physically and mentally. Taking the time away from creating helped me realize that the act of creating art was good for my physical and mental soul. It brought peace to my world and allowed me to focus my time and energy on something that would recharge me and make me feel whole. I can't let the last two months happen again. I need to stay committed to creating. More owls? More birds? I'm still not sure....maybe a new Noah Scalin book!
See all of Tanya's owls HERE.
Read Tanya's original 365 interview HERE.
