Read the entire article HERE.
Richmond.com likes 365
Thanks to the kind forks at Richmond.com for the nice article "Just Do Something" about my book!
Read the entire article HERE.
Read the entire article HERE.
Skull Diggery + Pax & AK
My friend Kris AKA Rakka, from "outside of" Seattle, Washington, is not content to rest on the laurels of her last daily project Stupid F'ing Awesome (which was featured in 365: A Daily Creativity Journal) and so the day after finishing it she started two new yearlong projects! Both are weekly rather than daily, but somehow I doubt she'll only be making two pieces of art a week.
She says, "Skull Diggery is a behind the scenes (read: character design and notation, lots of sketchbook work) look at the creation of an illustrated story. Pax & AK is a collaborative project between me and my 2 year old nephew. We're separated by 2,670 miles and 35 years but we both love to draw animals."...
Why did you decide to do these projects? Skull Diggery is a project that's designed to keep me honest. I've been planning an illustrated story for about a year now and hadn't gotten around to making faces to go with names. Being responsible to an audience should help me get my butt in gear.
Pax & Ak is an attempt to make sure my nephew gets some sort of Arts education. (He lives in a very rural part of the U.S.) Plus, I never see the kid. Basically, I'm trying to be a good aunt.
How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? As a 365 veteran (2 1/2 years worth! + these two new weeklies) I'd have to say that life is very different than when I started my first project. The main things are dealing with my email inbox + having to keep up with prep work, post deadlines, etc, etc while I'm working on pieces for shows that are unrelated to the projects. THIS YEAR I'm getting an intern!
Follow Rakka's progress on her two new projects HERE and HERE!
She says, "Skull Diggery is a behind the scenes (read: character design and notation, lots of sketchbook work) look at the creation of an illustrated story. Pax & AK is a collaborative project between me and my 2 year old nephew. We're separated by 2,670 miles and 35 years but we both love to draw animals."...
Why did you decide to do these projects? Skull Diggery is a project that's designed to keep me honest. I've been planning an illustrated story for about a year now and hadn't gotten around to making faces to go with names. Being responsible to an audience should help me get my butt in gear.
Pax & Ak is an attempt to make sure my nephew gets some sort of Arts education. (He lives in a very rural part of the U.S.) Plus, I never see the kid. Basically, I'm trying to be a good aunt.
How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? As a 365 veteran (2 1/2 years worth! + these two new weeklies) I'd have to say that life is very different than when I started my first project. The main things are dealing with my email inbox + having to keep up with prep work, post deadlines, etc, etc while I'm working on pieces for shows that are unrelated to the projects. THIS YEAR I'm getting an intern!
Follow Rakka's progress on her two new projects HERE and HERE!
Creative Mojo likes 365
Download the MP3 file HERE or get it from iTunes HERE (it's the January 12th episode).
365 Days of Gnome
Rob Swatski of Lititz, Pennsylvania has embarked on a project to document a gnome daily for a year. He says, 365 Days of Gnome is my attempt to document through photography (and the occasional drawing), the daily activities of Cedric the gnome. I plan on being there to capture the joys and sorrows, the pleasures and pains, all of the highs and lows of his life. (Well, especially the lows…he is a gnome, after all)."...
Why did you decide to do this project? My friend, Kelly, who's also a teacher, was inspired to begin a 365 project of her own after hearing about your “365: A Daily Creativity Journal”, and encouraged me to start one as well. She chose owls, and I chose gnomes. I was looking for a way to make more time for my photography and drawing, but I was hesitant for all of the usual reasons, such as convincing myself I didn’t have enough time or the self-discipline to stick with it. But, it was ultimately these same tired excuses, and being fed up with making them all of the time, that pushed me to begin my project in October 2010. And since then, I’ve realized that these self-imposed barriers only existed in my mind.
So, why gnomes? Well, my collaboration with Cedric began in June 2007, when my mother-in-law gave him to me as a gift before a trip to Europe and I’ve been taking travel photos of him ever since. So, spending a year focusing on this one gnome for my 365 Project seemed like the next logical step…and it’s also the perfect opportunity to help get the little bugger out of my system. I think it’s finally time to move beyond my comfort zone and challenge myself with other subjects, like dwarves or elves. Or, maybe even leprechauns. But, in reality, I’ve been having too much fun with this project and see myself continuing it in some incarnation in Year 2.
How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? It’s allowed me to put into perspective how I spend my time, and has helped me realize how much pleasure and satisfaction I get out of
creating things. I now give my photography and drawing a bit more priority these days than I ever have in the past. They’re activities I now make time for every day, and they fit in well with my crazy
schedule. It’s so easy to get bogged down in all the minutiae of life and work, and this project has helped me break out of that mindset. Creating these goofy gnome pictures has been such a fun and relaxing way to wind down at the end of a busy day. All told, this experience has been quite liberating, and I’m only on Day 40!
Follow all of Cedric's adventures HERE.
Why did you decide to do this project? My friend, Kelly, who's also a teacher, was inspired to begin a 365 project of her own after hearing about your “365: A Daily Creativity Journal”, and encouraged me to start one as well. She chose owls, and I chose gnomes. I was looking for a way to make more time for my photography and drawing, but I was hesitant for all of the usual reasons, such as convincing myself I didn’t have enough time or the self-discipline to stick with it. But, it was ultimately these same tired excuses, and being fed up with making them all of the time, that pushed me to begin my project in October 2010. And since then, I’ve realized that these self-imposed barriers only existed in my mind.
So, why gnomes? Well, my collaboration with Cedric began in June 2007, when my mother-in-law gave him to me as a gift before a trip to Europe and I’ve been taking travel photos of him ever since. So, spending a year focusing on this one gnome for my 365 Project seemed like the next logical step…and it’s also the perfect opportunity to help get the little bugger out of my system. I think it’s finally time to move beyond my comfort zone and challenge myself with other subjects, like dwarves or elves. Or, maybe even leprechauns. But, in reality, I’ve been having too much fun with this project and see myself continuing it in some incarnation in Year 2.
How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? It’s allowed me to put into perspective how I spend my time, and has helped me realize how much pleasure and satisfaction I get out of
creating things. I now give my photography and drawing a bit more priority these days than I ever have in the past. They’re activities I now make time for every day, and they fit in well with my crazy
schedule. It’s so easy to get bogged down in all the minutiae of life and work, and this project has helped me break out of that mindset. Creating these goofy gnome pictures has been such a fun and relaxing way to wind down at the end of a busy day. All told, this experience has been quite liberating, and I’m only on Day 40!
Follow all of Cedric's adventures HERE.
Mini-Peety Drawing a Day
Jessica Elliott AKA Peety Draws, from "right outside" Washington, D.C. is creating a Mini-Peety Drawing a Day for a year. She says, "The drawings and sayings are random and are created as soon as my ink pen meets the white of the paper. I never know what will turn out and perhaps that's the most fun of it all!"...
Why did you decide to do this project? Frustrated over not having control over much of the design and art I was creating as a graphic designer, I began finding outlets for even the smallest instances of creativity in the quickest and simplest way possible -- with pen and paper. This led me to open Peety Draws [on Etsy] and drawing different "characters" with a different saying every day. Usually, these sayings are the first thing that come in my mind when I sit down at my desk. Without access to Facebook at work, I take pictures of my mini-drawings everyday with my iPhone and use Photoshop Express to edit and post them to Facebook.
How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? I've been doing this for about 3 - 4 months and I get excited about what I want my character to say for that day. It is a tiny moment in the day that I have control over and am able to do exactly what I want. The positive feedback I've received from friends, family and Peety Draws fans on these drawings has been awesome! Not only do these drawings provide something inspirational for ME to look forward to – but for my followers, as well! It's rewarding to know other people are just as excited and interested in what Peety Draws is up to because you never know how your work, which is so personal, will be viewed by others. Because of the strong positive feedback, I will be starting a line of magnets and calendars based on these drawings. And there's no end in sight! This is going to be an on-going project with my goal of meeting AT LEAST 365 days.
See all of Peety's drawings on her Facebook page HERE.
Why did you decide to do this project? Frustrated over not having control over much of the design and art I was creating as a graphic designer, I began finding outlets for even the smallest instances of creativity in the quickest and simplest way possible -- with pen and paper. This led me to open Peety Draws [on Etsy] and drawing different "characters" with a different saying every day. Usually, these sayings are the first thing that come in my mind when I sit down at my desk. Without access to Facebook at work, I take pictures of my mini-drawings everyday with my iPhone and use Photoshop Express to edit and post them to Facebook.
How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? I've been doing this for about 3 - 4 months and I get excited about what I want my character to say for that day. It is a tiny moment in the day that I have control over and am able to do exactly what I want. The positive feedback I've received from friends, family and Peety Draws fans on these drawings has been awesome! Not only do these drawings provide something inspirational for ME to look forward to – but for my followers, as well! It's rewarding to know other people are just as excited and interested in what Peety Draws is up to because you never know how your work, which is so personal, will be viewed by others. Because of the strong positive feedback, I will be starting a line of magnets and calendars based on these drawings. And there's no end in sight! This is going to be an on-going project with my goal of meeting AT LEAST 365 days.
See all of Peety's drawings on her Facebook page HERE.
Smoke & Fire
Kerosene in Montreal, Quebec, Canada has decided to create a daily project called Smoke & Fire to help her quit smoking!
Why did you decide to do this project? I am trying not to smoke ~ again, and I decided to create a blog to replace that habit, to enlighten me on the nastiness of cigarettes, to keep track of my progress and to help me through the nic-fits.
I wanted to push myself to read more about quitting smoking and the harm of smoking. I knew the blog could become a great reference tool, where I could post useful tips, real information about nicotine and withdrawl symptoms, stuff I like to go back and reread. I also get include the great anti-smoking posters and such that I come across ~ particularly with skulls.
How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? I am not smoking and the coughing has already stopped. Yippee!
Having some creative fun and searching for useful information, while literally distracting myself from lighting up a cigarette has certainly been great for this beginning stage. I also follow the advice this time ~ which may sound funny but if you're a smoker you probably understand. I have discovered there is something legitimate and cathartic when you post about such a personal struggle, even if it is to the abyss of the internet.
Doing the daily blog has made me more accountable to my resolution to quit. I don't see the blog as a burden, instead I see it as a tool and quick reference guide ~ as I know, staying smoke-free is a life long journey. And I will use it to be sure my son will never start smoking because that is the real answer!
Follow Kerosene's progress and get some helpful tips on staying smoke-free on her blog HERE.
Image: Shaun Velka
Why did you decide to do this project? I am trying not to smoke ~ again, and I decided to create a blog to replace that habit, to enlighten me on the nastiness of cigarettes, to keep track of my progress and to help me through the nic-fits.
I wanted to push myself to read more about quitting smoking and the harm of smoking. I knew the blog could become a great reference tool, where I could post useful tips, real information about nicotine and withdrawl symptoms, stuff I like to go back and reread. I also get include the great anti-smoking posters and such that I come across ~ particularly with skulls.
image via
How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? I am not smoking and the coughing has already stopped. Yippee!
Having some creative fun and searching for useful information, while literally distracting myself from lighting up a cigarette has certainly been great for this beginning stage. I also follow the advice this time ~ which may sound funny but if you're a smoker you probably understand. I have discovered there is something legitimate and cathartic when you post about such a personal struggle, even if it is to the abyss of the internet.
Doing the daily blog has made me more accountable to my resolution to quit. I don't see the blog as a burden, instead I see it as a tool and quick reference guide ~ as I know, staying smoke-free is a life long journey. And I will use it to be sure my son will never start smoking because that is the real answer!
Follow Kerosene's progress and get some helpful tips on staying smoke-free on her blog HERE.
Daily Tomfoolery
Sixteen year old Clinton in Westminster, Massachusetts was the first person to contact me about following all of the prompts in my book religiously! He's calling it Daily Tomfoolery and I am already extremely impressed with how Clinton has interpreted my suggestions so far!...
Why did you decide to do this project? I can never seem to stay committed to anything. I hope to exert myself and my creative side upon the community for a year in hopes that the prompts will make results creative enough to keep me going.
How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? So far, I've had to keep the daily prompts rattling around in my mind. I look at things in a how-could-this-inspire-a-project way. My surroundings have a new meaning. I also have to go out of my way to get on the internet to share my documentations.
Clinton isn't able to post every day, but he is posting when he can, so definitely check out his progress on his blog HERE.
Why did you decide to do this project? I can never seem to stay committed to anything. I hope to exert myself and my creative side upon the community for a year in hopes that the prompts will make results creative enough to keep me going.
How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? So far, I've had to keep the daily prompts rattling around in my mind. I look at things in a how-could-this-inspire-a-project way. My surroundings have a new meaning. I also have to go out of my way to get on the internet to share my documentations.
Clinton isn't able to post every day, but he is posting when he can, so definitely check out his progress on his blog HERE.
Etsy likes 365
Thanks to the kind folks at Etsy who allowed me to share my advice about getting started on a 365 project on their blog!
Read the entire article HERE.
Read the entire article HERE.
In The New
For the year leading up to her 30th birthday Jen MacNeil decided to do one new thing every day in her In The New project...
See all of the new things Jen did in her year, and what she's been up to since then, on her blog HERE.
And read an exclusive interview with Jen in my new book 365: A Daily Creativity Journal which is in stores now and can be ordered from your favorite local independent bookstore and at all major online book retailers.
See all of the new things Jen did in her year, and what she's been up to since then, on her blog HERE.
And read an exclusive interview with Jen in my new book 365: A Daily Creativity Journal which is in stores now and can be ordered from your favorite local independent bookstore and at all major online book retailers.
Quilters Needed
And for inspiration check out Sarah of Rabbit-A-Day's own unique contribution which she made a part of her project!
365 Days of Heather
Heather Addley in Richmond, Virginia has set out to photograph herself (or at least part of herself) every day for a year in 365 Days of Heather...
Why did you decide to do this project? After trying a “failed” (I got about half way through the year) 365 project a few years ago I decided I was ready to give it another go. This time, with the support of friends doing similar projects and a new creative outlook on life, I know I can succeed.
How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? I am constantly aware of what is around me and I always have my eye out for that perfect shot or idea. I am inspired by the littlest objects that I may have looked past before. Also, I am using this as a tool to get to know myself and my body better. As a woman who has always had body image issues I know this is going to help me look at myself in a new light and find beauty where, in the past, may have been shame or disgust.
See a lot more of Heather on her blog HERE.
Why did you decide to do this project? After trying a “failed” (I got about half way through the year) 365 project a few years ago I decided I was ready to give it another go. This time, with the support of friends doing similar projects and a new creative outlook on life, I know I can succeed.
How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? I am constantly aware of what is around me and I always have my eye out for that perfect shot or idea. I am inspired by the littlest objects that I may have looked past before. Also, I am using this as a tool to get to know myself and my body better. As a woman who has always had body image issues I know this is going to help me look at myself in a new light and find beauty where, in the past, may have been shame or disgust.
See a lot more of Heather on her blog HERE.
Beingwoman
My friend Bridget Gethins here in Richmond, Virginia started her Beingwoman blog back in 2006, but it was just this past December that she decided to make it into a daily project in which she answers the question "What did women do in the olden days and how come we don't know about it?"...
Why did you decide to do this project? I ran a poll – completely unscientific – in conversation I have been asking the question for the last 4 years. "Did you know Mrs. King, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s mother, was shot, murdered, assasinated? 99.9 percent answer NO! June 30th, 1974, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA. Sunday Service – Mrs. King at age 71, was playing The Lord's Prayer on the organ and a crazy man from Ohio walked in and shot her dead! This should be common knowledge. AND this is the tip of the iceburg. I am so surprised every day at the amazing lives women have lived. So the saying "Women are written out of history." It is true. And so we need another way to look at the events of the world – "Her-story!" Maya Angelo spoke of "she-ros" So, I say as many others Her-story.
How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? This blog has profoundly affected my life – it is over-whelming at times. But, it is also – thrilling, amazing, exciting, and I am brimming with ideas and stories – I have been writing a play about it. "Mrs. King was Shot!!" And each day I drift off to this world of mystery- because women are so left out – it is has the excitment of uncovering past. And hopefully I am helping to make the future aware of her past.
Another woman who amazed me- August 3rd, 2006. I was searching and came across, "First female rabbi born this day in 1902, Regina Jonas." So, I followed the trail. Rabbi Jonas was ordained December 25th 1935 in Berlin Germany. I could not find a lot on her, but there was educational book that was published in 2003-ish in Germany and I ordered it. Regina Jonas was an amazing human being. Like Mother Theresa. I just Googled her and now she is all over the place! But, in 2006, my blog was one of the first sites that popped up about her. So, I have an idea that the blog helped put her-story on the map. Rabbi Jonas is in a ton of blogs now. And that thrills me.
The impetus for writing it was to support a performing arts group called The Women's Mercury which was founded by Bridget and her partner Keri Wormald.
Learn a lot more about "her-story" on her blog HERE.
Why did you decide to do this project? I ran a poll – completely unscientific – in conversation I have been asking the question for the last 4 years. "Did you know Mrs. King, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s mother, was shot, murdered, assasinated? 99.9 percent answer NO! June 30th, 1974, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA. Sunday Service – Mrs. King at age 71, was playing The Lord's Prayer on the organ and a crazy man from Ohio walked in and shot her dead! This should be common knowledge. AND this is the tip of the iceburg. I am so surprised every day at the amazing lives women have lived. So the saying "Women are written out of history." It is true. And so we need another way to look at the events of the world – "Her-story!" Maya Angelo spoke of "she-ros" So, I say as many others Her-story.
(image via Mike Glenn Collection)
How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? This blog has profoundly affected my life – it is over-whelming at times. But, it is also – thrilling, amazing, exciting, and I am brimming with ideas and stories – I have been writing a play about it. "Mrs. King was Shot!!" And each day I drift off to this world of mystery- because women are so left out – it is has the excitment of uncovering past. And hopefully I am helping to make the future aware of her past.
(Regina Jonas image via: Jewish Women's Archive)
Another woman who amazed me- August 3rd, 2006. I was searching and came across, "First female rabbi born this day in 1902, Regina Jonas." So, I followed the trail. Rabbi Jonas was ordained December 25th 1935 in Berlin Germany. I could not find a lot on her, but there was educational book that was published in 2003-ish in Germany and I ordered it. Regina Jonas was an amazing human being. Like Mother Theresa. I just Googled her and now she is all over the place! But, in 2006, my blog was one of the first sites that popped up about her. So, I have an idea that the blog helped put her-story on the map. Rabbi Jonas is in a ton of blogs now. And that thrills me.
The impetus for writing it was to support a performing arts group called The Women's Mercury which was founded by Bridget and her partner Keri Wormald.
Learn a lot more about "her-story" on her blog HERE.
Snow Globe 365
Amy Whitehurst of Glen Allen, Virginia was inspired by my Skull-A-Day project and 365: A Daily Creativity Journal to start Snow Globe 365...
Why did you decide to do this project? I think snow globes are cool, especially the ones made of glass. The reflections caught in the glass globe are interesting enough to keep a project going, but I'm putting my subject in various surroundings, interacting with different people to insure a fun and easy 365 of fun.
How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? I'm only 5 days in, but it has encouraged me to pick up my camera every single day which will make me a better photographer. Photographing glass is tricky, and has made me focus more on the technical working of my camera including proper metering and lighting, so that the flash is rarely used. With a daily project, I wake up each morning and think about what I will I do with my globe today. My entire family is supporting the project and they often find themselves saying, "That would make a cool picture!" My four year old son noticed the snow covered railroad trestles on the James as we crossed the bridge on 195. He told me it was a great shot and we needed to pull over. I sure wanted to, and though we couldn't stop on the interstate, but I love how seeing my interest in photography and my daily use of the camera has encouraged them both to see more creatively.
Follow Amy's snowy progress on her site HERE.
Why did you decide to do this project? I think snow globes are cool, especially the ones made of glass. The reflections caught in the glass globe are interesting enough to keep a project going, but I'm putting my subject in various surroundings, interacting with different people to insure a fun and easy 365 of fun.
How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? I'm only 5 days in, but it has encouraged me to pick up my camera every single day which will make me a better photographer. Photographing glass is tricky, and has made me focus more on the technical working of my camera including proper metering and lighting, so that the flash is rarely used. With a daily project, I wake up each morning and think about what I will I do with my globe today. My entire family is supporting the project and they often find themselves saying, "That would make a cool picture!" My four year old son noticed the snow covered railroad trestles on the James as we crossed the bridge on 195. He told me it was a great shot and we needed to pull over. I sure wanted to, and though we couldn't stop on the interstate, but I love how seeing my interest in photography and my daily use of the camera has encouraged them both to see more creatively.
Follow Amy's snowy progress on her site HERE.
Art Every Day
My friend Jennifer Gorman decided she should make Art Every Day!...
Why did you decide to do this project? The conversation we had at Germanna [Community College] when you visited campus sparked my interest in a project like this. It really got me thinking, could I make something everyday? Could I open a conversation with others in the community? Could I make my voice as an artist any clearer? I'm pretty broad on what counts as 'art every day' sometimes its a meal, a painting, a poem or a sketch. That has kept it fun and fresh for me. And while it seemed simple at first, and is in theory; totally different story around a real life.
How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? It has really changed the way I think about the everyday tasks that lay before me. I try and see how I can do something different, and make it into art sometimes. I've also kinda been inspired by different forms of self-portraiture, mostly photos, but some days when what I actually worked on doesn't inspire me, or didn't have a chance to do what i wanted, I'm able to artfully take a self-portrait as my art...what a different view of myself I get from that. I'm currently working on a self portrait series of mixed media because of this realization... that I may have never considered before this project.
I have actually met a ton of people through Art Every Day. Folks I never even knew were interested in art have come out of the woodwork to tell me how much they enjoy, how inspired they are, and how much fun it is to make something, and share along in the make every day experience. The community building around this project has been the most fun.
I'd be remiss if I didn't add that – it's a lot of work. Not necessarily the making art part, but the posting part! Life happens, exams, births, weddings, funerals, some of those days I don't post, although I have made something, I feel a little guilt, but get over it pretty quick and move on. It's the journey, not the post about the journey that matters.
See all of Jennifer's Art on her site HERE.
Why did you decide to do this project? The conversation we had at Germanna [Community College] when you visited campus sparked my interest in a project like this. It really got me thinking, could I make something everyday? Could I open a conversation with others in the community? Could I make my voice as an artist any clearer? I'm pretty broad on what counts as 'art every day' sometimes its a meal, a painting, a poem or a sketch. That has kept it fun and fresh for me. And while it seemed simple at first, and is in theory; totally different story around a real life.
How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? It has really changed the way I think about the everyday tasks that lay before me. I try and see how I can do something different, and make it into art sometimes. I've also kinda been inspired by different forms of self-portraiture, mostly photos, but some days when what I actually worked on doesn't inspire me, or didn't have a chance to do what i wanted, I'm able to artfully take a self-portrait as my art...what a different view of myself I get from that. I'm currently working on a self portrait series of mixed media because of this realization... that I may have never considered before this project.
I have actually met a ton of people through Art Every Day. Folks I never even knew were interested in art have come out of the woodwork to tell me how much they enjoy, how inspired they are, and how much fun it is to make something, and share along in the make every day experience. The community building around this project has been the most fun.
I'd be remiss if I didn't add that – it's a lot of work. Not necessarily the making art part, but the posting part! Life happens, exams, births, weddings, funerals, some of those days I don't post, although I have made something, I feel a little guilt, but get over it pretty quick and move on. It's the journey, not the post about the journey that matters.
See all of Jennifer's Art on her site HERE.
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