Monday, September 03, 2012

A Month of Experimentation

In my last post I mentioned how inspired I was by Melissa Sweet during SCBWI's summer conference. I felt like it was an artistic awakening of sorts and I'm eager to put into practice what I learned.

The first point Melissa stressed was working everyday. She said it gave you "a larger vocabulary, more facility with materials, and it allows for possibility." She also mentioned working with a medium we've been dying to try. Allowing for possibility and experimentation is something I certainly need to make room for. Because of time constraints in the past, I've always felt like I had to be productive when I sat at my drafting table. I put my head down and plowed through my process, eyes on the finish line. There was no space for those wonderful surprises that the muse likes to throw out there sometimes.
Like this scribble. Made this during a meeting. There was mention of cake. Mmm...CAKE.

Well, no more! Play is going to be taken more seriously (ha) around here. Every morning, I will sit at my work table without expectation. Whatever happens inside the little 3 x 3 squares happens and I'll be happy regardless. I'm going to remember how much I enjoy the process of creating and forget about the end product for a bit.

My drafting table with a bunch of new toys spread out.
To help with accountability, I'll be posting my little experiments here on the blog for thirty days. If I'm successful, then I'll push for another thirty, and so on. My hope is that they become a well-ingrained habit.
In honor of the artist who inspired me, I'm calling my experiments: Sweet Squares. I invite you to join me in a month-long expedition of experimentation without expectation. I know I'm not the only one who was inspired in LA, or who would like a goal to stretch themselves artistically. If you think you have the gumption to play along for the next thirty days, feel free to enter a static link to the post of the daily art you've created in the form below. It will be nice to see how others are approaching the stretching of their art muscles!

Note: Each day I will have a linky tool at the bottom of the post. Be sure to post your day's square with the correlating post so we can see your progress! :)

12 comments:

  1. This is a great idea, Diandra. I'm going to try to play too. Not sure if I'll post everyday but I'll be checking in here to see what you do! Good luck :)

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  2. I should be in... I so need this!

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  3. Anonymous4:51 PM

    Great idea! Count me in. Already thinking abut what book to set up for this challenge

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  4. This is a great idea! I love Melissa's work and am so inspired by her. I guess I'll have to play along. I need to increase my vocabulary, too.

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  5. Hurray! I hope y'all get as much out of this, as I hope to! :)

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  6. Such a fun idea. I'm so busy, but couldn't resist throwing down with the paints! Thanks, dear!!!

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  7. I LOVE this idea! I feel pretty straight out, but I will give it a try. It will get me blogging again.

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  8. This may be just what I need too! In for the count!

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  9. Well, I'm going to give it a try! Thanks for setting up this challenge, and looking forward to everyone's submissions.

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  10. I wanna play, I wanna play!!

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  11. Wow, what a great idea. I can handle 3 x 3's....(now to see if I follow through). Thanks for your post.

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Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment!