Just Picture It: "A Dress a Day" Daily Painting Project

6/6/2013

Past dress + skirt watercolors. Each painting will be very simple, just like these.

I've been wanting to do a daily painting project/challenge for quite a while now, but have never had the time. Since my schedule has slightly changed since May 31st, I've decided that starting next week, when I return from my vacation, I will begin my first push towards painting every single day.

Because I really want to get more comfortable with all of the ways that one can use watercolors, and because I've always LOVED painting dresses (the love goes back years, as you can see here), this is what I'm going to do: Starting on Monday, 6/10, I'm going to paint "A Dress A Day," in watercolor, for 100 days.

Here are the rules that I've set up for myself (because if you're a Type A , OCD list-maker, you like to make up lists of rules):

Daily paintings will only take place on weekdays, so that I can still have weekends "off" from everything, if I choose (mentally, I need this...).
I will post each day's dress to the blog in the late afternoon/evening, in order to give myself a full day to find the time to paint.
If I am out of town, I will not paint a dress that day, but that day will not count towards the 100 days (obviously).
I cannot spend ANY longer than 1 hour per dress. I will put on a timer and if it goes off before I finish the dress, I must stop where I am and call it done. [This will be hard.]

I hope that you are as inspired as I am by this project! I've been preaching everyday creativity for a while now, but have never actually had the time to do it myself, so am very eager to get back to painting 5 days per week. I also look forward to having a collection of 100 similar watercolors that track my progress, growth, and change over the course of the project.

Why don't you join me in this creativity challenge? It doesn't have to be painting--adding an hour a day (or less time, if you don't have an hour) for whatever creativity endeavor speaks to you is an amazing way to get yourself going again if you're a little lost creatively. Plus, I've found that 100 days of anything totally changes the experience (check out my 100 Days of Headstand Challenge if you don't believe me!).

Think about it, will you? We aren't starting til Monday... ;)

PS. All dresses will be available in my Etsy shop, here.

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jeanette link

6/6/2013 01:43:03 am

Sometimes I think me and you were separated at birth and I was shipped off to Miami to be raised by a crazy but loving Puerto Rican family ;) We are so alike! I’m all about list making, challenge taking insanity and the headstand challenge is quite tempting. Of course, as you’ve written about, I’m also trying to let go and not be so hard on myself [Oy, the daily struggle].

However, just this morning I told the hubs that I need to find what my sleep number is. I’m going to be 35 and I have no clue what the optimum number of hours I need to feel rested. I realize there are a number of factors that contribute to one’s tiredness but I’ve been struggling with this for years and need to learn more about my sleeping patterns. So my challenge, if you will, is to experiment with different hours for a full week to see if I feel any different. First up, a full eight hours starting Monday. I usually get 7-7.5 and then more on the weekends [which I know is not recommended]. I think I’ll blog about my findings ;)

I’m looking forward to seeing your paintings and tracking your progress. Go, MC, Go!

Mary Catherine

6/6/2013 10:58:36 pm

What a GREAT idea, Jeanette! I love it. You may want to look into getting some sort of sleep tracker, as well, as that might be a big help (I'm looking forward to using my FitBit to track my sleep when I get home!).

Can't wait to read about your journey, too! And you're right, sounds like we were def separated at birth ;)

xoxo
MC

Tara B.

6/6/2013 09:55:47 am

What a neat idea! I can't wait to see your dress paintings :-)
I need to do something like this too, although I don't have an artistic bone in my body lol. I blogged a couple years ago and quite enjoyed it but gave it up. Just today though, Maureen and I brainstormed about writing our own blog about topics related to Pilates and just mind/body stuff in general, so I think we'll write along with you!

Enjoy the rest of your vacation! See you on the mat next week!

6/6/2013 10:59:23 pm

Yay, Tara! How fabulous! Blogging regularly is an AMAZING creative outlet, so I definitely recommend you guys do it! Be sure to send me the link when it's up :)

xoxo
MC

Erin

6/10/2013 10:41:18 pm

Love it MC! i can't wait to see your creations. I love that you make creativity a priority.

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