Art Daily 2015 Project

Happy Friday! Wow, where did this week go?!  For me it was in a blur of packing and sending out Etsy shop orders and working on a new daily project I’ve started over on Instagram called #artdaily2015  I see it as a way of committing myself to create at least one small piece of creative work each day but without the pressure of working to a brief.  It’s also a chance for me to experiment with different techniques and ways of working because I find it easy to become stuck using the same old tried and tested ways of creating.  The main objective is to just create something quick (ish!) each day in my sketchbook, which for me is often sheets of loose paper as I find working that way easier and to then share it on Instagram.

Some days I just draw what’s around me, everyday objects and observations like this pen and ink drawing of a plant in my studio and this pen drawing of my wedding posy from 5 years ago that I dried and keep on the sideboard in my lounge.

Other day’s I’ve used it as a chance to experiment with different techniques and media that I normally shy away from like watercolours and inks.  I’m so glad I did as I’ve discovered that I actually enjoy creating using these techniques.  I’ve also found it challenging because these small, quick drawings/sketches/paintings aren’t in anyway perfect or a finished piece of work, so to then share it on social media feels a bit like baring your soul and has sometimes left me feeling very exposed but I think this is a good thing too as it forces me to let go and just have fun with it.  There’s a time a place to be precious and have control over your work and this project isn’t that!

I always seem to return to my old faithfuls though, pencils and fineliners!

It’s also led to me coming up with ideas for new designs and products too.  Like these drawings of objects related to sewing.  I’d been wanting to create a sewing themed design for a while now but just hadn’t got round to it, so I used the #artdaily2015  project as time to have fun and draw lots of sewing inspired illustrations.

I enjoyed it so much and they got such an amazing response that I carried on working on the idea further until I came up with this finished design….

….which I very quickly put on the cover of my notebooks and is now available to buy in my Etsy Shop!

So already it’s definitely been worth dedicating a small amount of time each day just to being freely creative and not just when working on a commission or freelance work but it’s not just me that’s be committing to a daily creative project, there’s lots of other wonderful artists and designers over on Instagram using the same hashtag to share their daily artwork.  Just search using #artdaily2015 and you’ll find them all there but don’t worry if you don’t get chance as I’m going to be featuring some of them here on my blog soon.  Are you taking part in any kind of daily creative project?  I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

Have a lovely weekend,
Rebecca x