#BlogJune is back!

I’ve been doing #BlogJune for a few years now. I used to blog regularly but, as life changed, blogging was replaced by art journaling as a way to get my thoughts out of my head. All the same, I enjoy writing and blogging, and the connection with people that it can bring. It’s about having limited time, so making choices about what to prioritise.

A friend on Twitter mentioned #BlogJune last night and I thought, yes, I’m going to give it a shot. Reestablishing a writing and blogging habit will be good for me. Chances are the posts will be a bit random, but life *is* a bit random at the moment.

Picking up the ball

I often tell myself, and remind my staff, that “just because someone dropped the ball, you don’t have to pick it up”. But there are times when picking it up is the right thing; this is one of those times. 

I’ve been doing the Colour Me Positive weekly art challenge for 3 or 4 years and, in that time, it’s been through a few group admin. The current one, Theresa, lives very remotely in Australia. Her internet connection has got to the point where she’s having to step back. I suggested, instead of giving up completely & the group dying, I look after it while she decides what to do.

This was my first week as admin. I found a quote and suggested if people wanted extra challenge, they use green and a supply they don’t normally use. This got me rattling through my supplies for things I don’t often use – it’s amazing what I have tucked away!

Supplies: Shiva artist’s paintstiks, Derwent Inktense water soluble pencils, Washi tape, Golden heavy body paints and Dylusions paints.

364 pieces of art

I used to blog a lot, as a way of showing my art process, and to clarify my thinking. Over the years FaceBook became my avenue for some of that, but it’s not as good. Too many distractions, and hard to see progress over time. And of course FB changes the rules from time to time, often with little warning. I’ve not been creating as regularly as I used to, yet it’s good for me – even 10 minutes a day helps and makes me a happier, and therefor better, person all round.

In lieu of over-ambitious New Year’s resolutions I won’t keep, I’m committing to making a small piece of art every day. I’ll probably work on index cards so I can take them with me if I’m away from home. I painted every day for a year once and it was great. Sure, in the end I didn’t manage every single day, but it was fun anyway!

I’d like to draw better, so I’ll be incorporating an element of drawing into some pieces. Along with the art, I want to think out load more, and commit those thoughts onto my blog. As an introvert I find it’s good for me to have somewhere to put my thoughts down. So, yesterday was a rest today – today, the 364 pieces of art project begins.