News, Muse & Inspiration 26: Doing the 100 Day Project

The 100 Day Project is a global initiative led by Lindsay Jean Thomson. It starts in February and has been running for a number of years. I joined the project a couple of years ago but only made it to about day 50. This year I came up with a very simple project and this has allowed me to complete the whole 100 days for the first time.

The theme of my 100 Day project was OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW! I decided to have a big tidy of my studio - I pulled out old work, cut it up and gave it a new life! Each new little artwork was mounted on a piece of 300gsm watercolour paper (18cm x 18cm in size).

I found a number of paintings and prints that I no longer wanted to keep. I cut them up into 4" squares using my guillotine and then had a look at them - working out if they made an interesting composition. If they needed more added to them, I used a range of techniques including:

• adding acrylic paint

• adding acrylic ink

• adding marks with acrylic marker pens

• printing with stamps and alcohol inks

• collage with paper

• adding fabric (including transfer-dyed and sun-dyed fabrics)

• adding stitch

I used each piece as an opportunity to experiment and explore. I worked on some pieces for longer than others. And here they all are! Starting with Day 1 in the top left-hand corner and finishing with Day 100 in the bottom right-hand corner. If you would like to see them in more detail you can visit my Instagram account by clicking here.

In wrapping up this year's 100 Day Project, Lindsay Jean Thomson has asked participants to ponder a number of questions:

• What do you know now that you didn't know 100 days ago?

• What surprised you about your work - or about yourself?

• What feels possible now?

• What would make the work feel complete?

• What are you proud of?

• What are you curious about pursuing next?

I have recognised a number of things during this project - I have a certain way of working and there is a consistent style across many of these pieces. There are a lot of circles! (of course!). I loved adding the fabric and stitch and I definitely want to do more of that in my bigger work.

These little pieces will now be packaged up and made available to buy at upcoming art events. If I can find the time I may also add them to my online shop.