I had been documenting my art journey on Instagram … specifically my watercolor and sketching.

Some of my art story I have told on this blog … just a few posts back (the PleinAirpril posts), but the real start was mid-November 2023.

After PleinAirpril, I took a break and then it seemed like there was one home/rv project after another and I didn’t paint much until December when I started one of my favorite YouTube artists daily Advent Calendar painting. Since then I have been painting and drawing nearly every day.

There have been several art challenges with the 100 in a year theme. I started one for 100 3×3 inch paintings in a year and finished 27 so far:

1-9 …

10-18

19-27

No masterpieces :) !! But some I liked, all I enjoyed creating and learning something new along the way. The minis are fun as they are generally quick to complete … still layers and drying time, but also the variety of techniques tends to be fewer so they give me a chance to practice in a simpler way than when doing something larger.

I have been alternating between painting on cut sheets of paper and the cute mini-sketchbooks I found. All are done on 100% cotton, cold-press watercolor paper.

(Mini-sketchbooks from Just Journal It)

Recently, I watched the below video. In addition to another 100 small paintings, Leslie Stroz starts (at 1:00) with “What happens to your brain when you make art”. She shares scientific studies that show some positive things that happen when you make art … art including any creative endeavor. I found it is all true for me.

While the other challenges tended to be specific in size and format, Leslie encouraged any artist participating to choose their own size, medium, subject matter … what each artist prefers.

I will continue with the 3×3. But I have some of the mini-paper and a tin like what she is using.

So, I am doing this second challenge in the super-mini size which is 1.25×2 inches.

My first 4:

#2 (lower left), I tried ink and wash.

Lots to learn in scaling down!

I will paint larger along with these minis and hopefully some Plein Air as well. I have my SUV (traded Jeep for a large SUV) set up to allow me to sit and paint from inside as well as make a hot drink and enjoy a snack while waiting for layers to dry.

When I was working my “day job” from my home office with all of the home distractions, I worked from a schedule with general time slots for working, getting outside, baking, etc. Since retiring from that work, I have kept with a schedule … more flexible, but a plan for the day. As the news swirls, I set myself 1-1.5 hours to read or watch news and send letters/emails to my government reps. I have time slots for photography, videography, writing, chores, playing and walking outside with Emmett and Oscar, painting and drawing … my days are full but balanced.

I usually paint in the evening and find it is very helpful to me in turning off the noise of the day. After painting as I clean up, turn out lights, take Emmett out in the fresh air … I find I am prepared for my night rest and sleep.

Hope anyone reading also has a creative activity that they love as well as opportunity to get outside!

First … I deleted my Facebook and Instagram accounts and will be posting here and on YouTube.

I also cancelled Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited. I have not deleted my Amazon Account. I hope to not buy from Amazon but the database of what and when I have purchased items is there and it can be helpful.

Generally, I plan to buy only necessities and at this point in time there is really not much I need to buy other than food and house supplies.

I know that there are some subscribers of my blog that are not in the U.S. … WHAT a mess! I fully support boycotting American products. I hope that within my lifetime we (U.S.) can turn things around and be forgiven.

I believe one of the things that we can do is use our $$ or lack of $$.

There is a sad but true meme: 0-1939 in 3 seconds referring to Tesla and Elon Musk.

I think that we (U.S.) may need to channel our 1939 (WWII) “rationing” mindset: make do and mend, reuse and repair, grow our own vegetables. I wish we weren’t in this position and that we hadn’t destroyed the trust of the world, but maybe a bit of frugality will be good for us.

I don’t intend this blog to be super political but there is part of me that feels if I do not do something, speak out, take some action … I am by inactivity complicit in the horror of current events.

So, I am living frugally and being as aware as possible where I spend by $$s. I write and email my Senators and Congressman. I spend some time educating myself on the facts of what is happening.

AND, I live my life with the intent of being kind to myself, to my pets, to others … helping others if I can.

I get outside with Emmett and Oscar: walking and playing.

I make art – watercolor and sketching, I work on my photography and videography. I bake and cook.

I make sure to notice the beauty all around me.