Rekindling My Creative Spark
As I reflect on my recent 30-day creative challenge, I’m reminded of the importance of nurturing my artistic side. The beautiful floral watercolor artwork above inspired me to revisit my own creative pursuits, and I’m excited to share my journey with you.
A Humbling Experience
I embarked on this challenge with enthusiasm, but soon realized that finding time to create daily was much harder than I anticipated. Despite my best efforts, I only managed to complete 11 entries in my sketchbook – a far cry from my initial goal. This experience taught me a valuable lesson: it’s essential to acknowledge and accept my current limitations.
From College to Adulthood
In college, I had the luxury of devoting ample time to creative pursuits. However, life has taken a different turn, and I now juggle multiple responsibilities, including caring for my home and advancing my professional skills. While it’s tempting to compare myself to my former self, I’ve come to understand that growth and evolution are natural parts of life.
Balancing Act
During the challenge, I struggled to allocate time for creativity amidst my busy schedule. I had to prioritize tasks, making sacrifices along the way. Cooking, running, socializing, and relaxation all vied for attention, leaving me with limited time for sketching. This experience showed me that it’s crucial to strike a balance between nurturing my creative side and attending to my daily responsibilities.
The Silver Lining
Despite not meeting my initial goals, I’m proud of the work I did accomplish. I experimented with various techniques, including collage, hand-lettering, and colored pencil work. These exercises allowed me to reconnect with the fundamental aspects of art and design that I fell in love with in the first place.
Lessons Learned
This challenge taught me to be kind to myself, acknowledging that growth and progress are not always linear. I’ve come to realize that it’s essential to focus on the present and celebrate small victories, rather than measuring myself against my former self. As I move forward, I’ll continue to nurture my creative spark, recognizing that it’s an integral part of my personal and professional growth.
A Glimpse into My Sketchbook
Below are a few examples of my work from the challenge:
- A collage featuring cut-out magazine illustrations with drawn overlays
- Practice lettering exercises inspired by online examples
- Simple swirls drawn over a watercolor artwork example
- Brush script micron pen experiments with a copied quote
- Colored pencil work and line illustrations
- Random scribbles and hand-lettering practice
While I may not have achieved my initial goals, I’m grateful for the opportunity to reflect on my creative journey and share it with you.
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