Embracing Imperfection

Reflections halfway through #the100dayproject

{Day 42}

As a self-taught amateur artist I had never sketched in pen before, because MISTAKES. But two months ago, I stumbled upon Peggy Dean’s book Mindful Sketching in the Libby app. Dean makes the case that using pen forces you to embrace imperfection. My brain read that and thought, sketching seems like a way more fun way to work on yourself than therapy!

Feeling like I had discovered an untapped area of creativity and learning, I decided to capitalize on this opportunity and begin a 100-day-project of pen sketching. (Don’t worry, I didn’t quit actual therapy.)

Doe Library {4}; our room {6}; a piano in Everett, WA {11}; espresso machine {14}

I knew this would be a big investment of my time and that I would feel like quitting multiple times. It would be the artist’s equivalent of a marathon.

In the early days, all of the lovely feedback from my friends gave me a boost, but by Day 4 or 5, I definitely felt the “what-did-I-sign-myself-up-for dread?” As a mature adult, however, I had predicted this would happen–though not quite so soon–and tried to accept the thought and move forward anyway. Over the next couple of weeks, I had days when it came easy, and days when it was really difficult.

E's chicken, Cimmonim {41}; garlic--shoutout to my girls! {35}

Then, there was the night I got sucked into Instagram looking at other artists’ work. Of course, I was there for “inspiration.” The next day, though, it was noticably harder to sit down for my practice. My brain continually played a loop telling me that I couldn’t possibly measure up, so why even try. Needless to say, I was not engaging in “Mindful Sketching.”

Thankfully, I quickly recognized what happened and reset. (Thank you, therapy!) 

WHAT MY CURRENT PRACTICE LOOKS LIKE

I try to do (or at least start) a sketch first thing in the morning (with my happy light) before everyone is awake. The breakfast-and-school rush sets off a series of dominoes such that if I don’t start before then, the assignment will nag at me the rest of the day. 

A juncos at our bird feeder {34}

Deciding what to draw is definitely the hardest part of the process. Sometimes I’m lucky and I’ve already taken a picture or screenshot of what I want to draw the day before. I also write ideas on post-it notes and tuck them into my sketchbook (an example of breadcrumbs!).

I really like the #sketchyourlife style, but it does come with challenges. Sketching from real life is a LOT harder than sketching from pictures because I have to render what I see into 2D as I bring it to the page.

Our retro stove {38}

Sketches take me anywhere from 30 to 120 minutes depending on the complexity, my interest in the subject, how I feel like it’s going, how early I’ve woken up, how invested I am in the outcome. Most of the time, I’m not going much beyond an hour.

I’ve made the mistake a few times of adding too much detail before I’ve finished the major sections of the sketch. I’m learning that it’s better to start with less detail and build up in layers. Still, it can be easy to get carried away, and who doesn’t want to put ALL THOSE BOOKS on those glorious bookshelves??

Days 48, 9, & 47

WHAT ABOUT MISTAKES?

So far I’ve only scrapped a sketch and started over once (a ballerina). I’ve tried to work within the parameters of the medium. If I make a mistake, I keep going, adding a few wobbly lines to make it seem like I meant to do that. ;)

What’s meant to be often seems to magically emerge in the end. 

Not being able to erase actually makes pen drawing a lot faster and more efficacious than using a pencil. I have abandoned so many past watercolor projects because the sketching took way too long. So, I’m pretty happy with these imperfect pen drawings that actually get completed.

WHAT IF I MISS A DAY?

From the outset, I told myself that I wasn’t worried about a streak. Rather, I am interested in building up a practice and a portfolio. Putting a rough time frame of 100 days allows me to accelerate my learning and keeps me from giving up before giving myself a fair chance. The project has already pushed me past my previously accepted limits.

Homemade pita bread that didn’t taste gluten-free! {50}

I suspect I miss about one sketch every 8-9 days. I just make the call based on other things I’m juggling, usually family stuff, or how my mental health and energy levels are doing.

CREATIVITY BEGETS CREATIVITY

Starting this project has lit a fire under me to pursue other creative projects. Since starting in late-January, I’ve joined an Organizing Specialist Certification class, started sharing more on Instagram (obvs), and submitted an article to ADDitude magazine (my first query letter ever!). 

I also jumped on the bandwagon and ordered myself PowerSheets, a goal planner my mastermind group is obsessed with. (My thrifty self loves that I got it for 50% at the end of February because I don’t need January energy anyway.)

A NOTE ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA AND ADHD

I am primarily an “abstainer”–to use Gretchen Rubin’s language–from Facebook, Instagram, and most other forms of social media because I have an extra hard time not going down rabbit trails and trying to find out EVERYTHING. (One of my Strengths is “input.”) Moderators are able to do things in moderation. That is not me, hence my modus operandi. 

Since recognizing and acknowledging my ADHD, I’m more aware of harnessing and modulating my attention, and keeping track of the time I let my mind wander. As needed, I dip into social media sites, but I always have alarm bells ringing in my head that say THIS IS A VERY BAD IDEA.¹

My iPod Mini circa 2005 {25}

Despite this, doing #the100dayproject has been a great use of Instagram for me. It’s a big step for me to share my art, and to do so using social media.

I have been wondering about having a public account because I really want to tag/reference the people who have inspired me, but I am nervous. (Anyone have any thoughts on this?)

As a practice, I don’t allow myself to open the Instagram app on my phone until I have my next sketch ready to post. The reward for finishing my next sketch is the possibility of seeing hearts/likes on my previous post.

A friend’s home in Huntsville on a snowy day {37}

FOLLLOW ALONG

You can find my work—and watch the rest of the project unfold—on my Instagram account. I also welcome ideas/prompts for sketches. Thank you for your support!

1. I highly recommend Catherine Price’s book How to Break Up with Your Phone. One of her most effective tips to manage social media addiction is to use a desktop browser instead of the mobile app.