The 100 Day Project is in progress for 2026. I just finished Day 16 and wanted to share some of the benefits I've already started feeling. The biggest thing is a boost of confidence after having been ignoring my art practice for the last year. It makes me feel so much better to pour myself into a project like this and explore new things. Aside from the few days I put in last year I have been pretty much experiencing a complete block in my creative practice. I don't understand it and can't explain how there was such a big block between me and making my art for so long. It's been unbearable but I couldn't push through.
What saved me the last year is that I could still find beauty in the world around me, in museums and in looking at other people's art. At the same time I was able to focus on stitching projects that used my skills and craftsmanship. I believe that stitching and textile work is definitely true art and I appreciate the beauty of it. I also appreciate the designers and artists that sell beautiful projects and patterns so I can just create without thinking during my block and enjoy the mindful practice of hand and needle.
Since I spent so long without much artistic output on my part that I was hesitant to start the 100 days this year. I would have hated to let myself down again. But of course I knew the only way to let myself down for real would be to let more time go by without doing anything.
Each tiny gouache painting in my sketchbook makes it easier to make the next day's work. Each day gives me more confidence and more inspiration. The first couple of days I was really just going through the motions and you can feel how flat and contrived the pages are if you look at my Instagram posts. But they were a start. It helped me remember that I can do art and how much of a rush it is to make something out of nothing. Each painting is tiny (about 3" x 4") so it's not too intimidating. There is not a lot of pressure and if I don't like that day's study I am relieved to complete it knowing that the next day will be different.
I am also starting to experiment and play a little more on the pages. Besides using what is pretty much a whole new medium for me, I am trying new things and techniques just to see what will happen. Since I haven't used much gouache before this it is all a learning process and I love learning new things.
I hope you have a wonderful week. Please send me a link to your 100 days if you are doing one so I can follow along.
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