Completing a 100 Day Mixed Media Collage Project: Journey with My Creativity
Creativity knows no bounds, and as an artist, I constantly seek new ways to express myself. Recently, I embarked on an exciting adventure—an ambitious 100 consecutive day mixed media project. This project is something I have admired others doing via social media for many years and wasn’t sure I could be successful, but I took the leap in February with a plan of action.
- I had recently salvaged an old college yearbook from a used book bin and after inspiration from other mixed media artists using yearbook images in their art, decided to incorporate the multitude of images from my thrifted book.
- Awhile back, I purchased this roll of gummed brown paper packing tape for a couple of other mixed media projects. I’ve enjoyed using this tape and decided it would be a great substrate to work on for this project.
- As any other mixed media/art journaling will admit, paper scraps seem to multiply at my creative space and I have the tendency to hold onto every little piece no matter how small. This project would be a perfect way to use those bits and bobs.
- Lastly, I have several book blocks that I am holding onto so I can cut out and use found words and phrases for my art journaling. What better way to incorporate those into a project. This addition was one of the unexpected surprises of this project: The storytelling.
I also added some other materials such as paint, pencil, pastel, and thread and my 2023 100 Day Project was ready to get underway.
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This project pushed me to explore various art forms, experiment with different materials, and delve deep into my artistic and storytelling journey. Join me as I share the highlights, challenges, and the profound impact this project had on my creativity and personal growth.
Setting the Stage:
At the start of this journey, I laid out a few ground rules for myself. Each morning (ideally), for the next 100 days, I would create captivating mixed media pieces using collage painting, drawing, and storytelling in my little assemblages. The project aimed to challenge my artistic abilities, enabling me to break free from creative limitations, and explore new artistic territories.
The 100 Day Project is a movement that I learned about through other creatives online. For more information, check out the 100 Day Project Website or Instagram
The Creative Roller Coaster:
As the days progressed, I experienced an exhilarating roller coaster ride of emotions. Some days, I felt a surge of inspiration, effortlessly bringing my visions to life. Other days, I struggled with self-doubt and creative block. However, I learned to embrace both the highs and lows, as they were all part of the artistic process.
Exploring Something New and Uncomfortable:
One of the most exciting aspects of this project was the opportunity to explore something new. Some days, I found myself effortlessly bringing my visions to life through my combination of images, storytelling, and collage. On other days, it was more of a struggle. However, embracing it all became an integral part of the artistic process, ultimately leading to personal growth.
Embracing Imperfections:
As I embarked on this daily creative endeavor, I learned to embrace the beauty of imperfections inherent in collage assemblages. Not every piece turned out as planned, but I discovered the unique charm that lay within even the imperfect creations. This realization liberated me from the fear of failure, encouraging me to take bolder artistic leaps with mark making, adding fabric, and colorful thread, which became a theme throughout the project.
The Power of Consistency:
Perhaps the most profound lesson I learned throughout this journey was the power of consistency. By committing to creating art daily, I honed my skills, strengthened my artistic voice, and cultivated discipline. This project taught me that inspiration often follows action, and the more I showed up to create, the more ideas flowed effortlessly.
This consistency happened regardless of my schedule or unexpected twists of life. I traveled throughout this 100 days but I planned ahead to make sure I was prepared with supplies and materials for each day while I was away from home. This was a great practice for me to prepare, as I tend to fly by the seat of my pants on most art projects, so having the discipline of preparation was vital to keeping the project on track.
I was unexpectedly displaced from my home for a couple of weeks due to a natural disaster – a skunk was under my home and sprayed, which permeated the entire structure and rendered me temporarily homeless. Fortunately, I had a small travel pouch still packed and was able to grab my main supplies to keep the project going while staying at my mother’s during clean-up.
This project was incredibly grounding for me during that time of stress. It was the one consistency that I maintained in my daily routine and was surprisingly therapeutic.
Sharing the Journey:
Throughout the 100-day project, I diligently documented my progress on social media, sharing glimpses of my collage assemblages and sharing each day’s story on my Instagram (@kwhitten). The unwavering support and encouragement from the online art community played a vital role in keeping me motivated. Engaging with fellow artists, receiving feedback, and connecting with like-minded individuals also participating in the 100 Day Project and seeing their journey added a dynamic layer to my creative process.
You Can Purchase One (or more) of My 100 Day Project Collage Pieces
I am offering my collage assemblages for sale. I went back and forth about selling them, but I think I prefer to share them with others for use in their own art journals or projects. If you are interested in purchasing one of more of these little one of a kind pieces, let me know through the form below and I’ll get back to you. The sizes vary from 2″x2″ to larger 6″x8″.
Choose one for $5 or 5 for $20. You can choose or I will select them at random. They are numbered in this gallery for viewing.
Hover over the image for the number.
The Transformative Impact:
Completing the 100 consecutive day mixed media project left an indelible mark on my artistic journey. Not only did it enhance my technical skills and broaden my artistic horizons, but it also ignited a newfound passion for exploration and experimentation. I emerged from this project with a heightened sense of self-confidence and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of art.
Completing a 100 Day Mixed Media Collage Project
