enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

IMG_8066

About two weeks ago, when my workshop was ending, I wanted to start making something just for me again. (It was one of my four simple goals.)

I succeeded with a daily art project back in 2007 with the daily card project. (You can read about it here.) When I started thinking about doing this all over again, I got very caught up in the parameters for this project. I needed to buy a notebook to keep all the "art." I needed direction. I needed a focus. I needed to start on a Monday. Because everything starts on the first day of something, right?

And obviously, when parameters start growing, inspiration starts falling. I lost desire to get this project off the ground.

Then Tuesday, I got a comment about the project and realized if I kept trying to start the art a day plan, I would never make it a reality.

Upsidedown sketch On my bulletin board was a total joke sketch I had made that day inspired by Kal's creativity workshop. I took a photobooth frame and drew it upside down with a ballpoint pen, focusing on the lines of the image instead of the faces of the image. It's creepy for sure and certainly didn't turn out realistic. But it made me laugh. And it made Paul laugh harder.

And that could be the point of art a day.

Anything could be the point of art a day.

Making something different.

Making something funny.

Making something inspired.

Making something terrible.

Making something everyday.

And so I decided to drop the parameters and try to get something on paper (or photographed, or sewn, or written down) everyday. I started Tuesday and kept going. So that's three days and counting…

IMG_8061
IMG_8062
IMG_8063
IMG_8064 IMG_8067

I am going to be collecting daily art in 4×6 or smaller and binding with book rings. (This is completely my comfort zone. And maybe if the collection part stays true to my comfort zone the art can jump right out of it.) I will be sharing here on occasion and on flickr as close to daily as possible.

Art a day. Good for the pen. Good for the paper. Good for the brain. Good for the heart. Good for the memories. Good for inspiring my next big project. Good for the laugh track.

Art a day. Let's keep rolling.

Posted in

15 responses to “art a day.”

  1. Erin Avatar

    so inspired… thank you for sharing

    Like

  2. Monika Wright Avatar

    You didn’t let what you thought were your limits hold you back and you totally overcame!

    Like

  3. desiree Avatar

    totally true about the monday thing. why must we always wait until then to START something. thanks for the inspiration.

    Like

  4. andrea Avatar

    This is such a great idea! I look forward to seeing the progress :):)

    Like

  5. Michelle Avatar

    that’s sweet!! i love the limited parameters – just make SOMETHING.

    Like

  6. Cindy Avatar

    Great idea! Love the no pressure prep. 😉

    Like

  7. lauren Avatar

    great idea! seems like it would be a great way to keep inspiration flowing. i know sometimes when i take a few days “off” it’s hard to get the ball rolling again. i think i will definitely follow your lead on this i love it! have a great weekend:)

    Like

  8. Cindy Avatar

    AND thinking more on this, if I work on another, larger project, I can always take a picture and slip it in this. Nice. Thanks again for the inspiration.

    Like

  9. Kirsten Varga Avatar

    I’m the same way. I like parameters but the inspiration and motivation suffer. Thanks for sharing how you just went ahead and did it. I’m feeling all bubbly now and will just have to start something too. Art everyday!

    Like

  10. Sarah Avatar

    this is an awesome idea!!!
    I think I need to jump on the boat, too.
    thank you girl, for always being so inspiring!

    Like

  11. jessica o'brien Avatar

    what a fun idea!!! and that illustration totally cracks me up 😉

    Like

  12. Giuseppina Avatar

    quick question elise…
    how do you make amazing stuff, check out cool sites/blogs, create your own blogs, and get life stuff done??
    i’m amazed! share your tips 🙂

    Like

  13. elise blaha Avatar

    Thank you! This (blogging, making stuff, keeping up with blogs, maintaining my shop) is my full time job. So life and work are sort of all mixed together. I love it this way and just keep lots of to do lists!

    Like

  14. Lauren McTaggart Avatar

    Hey elise,
    I just wanted to let you know that yours is one of my favorite blogs to read. You inspire me alot and I hope to be able to do what you’re doing one day full-time too!
    Lauren

    Like

  15. Julia Avatar

    great post… and good reminders. i have been feeling quite stuck myself lately. am wanting to create my mini book, but feel so paralyzed by the process i’ve created in my own head… need a topic, need a color pallet, need this, need that… blah, blah, blah. thanks for the inspiration to just DO.

    Like

Leave a comment