Diving into the heart of a 100-day creative challenge, this blog post explores the highs and lows of committing to a daily art practice, focusing on the intricate beauty of hand-carved linocuts. From the initial excitement of carving pieces like the Scorpion, Wild Blue Iris, and Eastern White Pine Branch, to the vibrant wildlife series featuring a Pinecone, a Woodpecker, and a Hummingbird, the journey is a testament to the therapeutic and fulfilling nature of carving. However, the narrative takes a candid turn, addressing the diminishing returns of social media platforms like Instagram, critiqued for their ad-heavy, engagement-draining nature. In a bold pivot, the decision to shift focus towards Pinterest highlights a strategic move to platforms offering longer-lasting visibility for art. This reflective piece showcases a stunning array of linocut projects and delves into the realities of social media's impact on artists, culminating in a powerful affirmation of creativity's unstoppable force. Join me as I navigate the balance between online engagement and authentic artistic expression, marking a significant pivot towards more fulfilling platforms and practices.

Facing the quiet echo of 'Nobody cares' during the 7th and 8th weeks of my 100-day creative project, I was reminded of a profound truth: the value of our creative work lies far beyond social media likes. 💪🏼 In this post, I shared the power of internal validation and the deep, intrinsic value of creating art for art's sake. 👩🏼‍🎨 It's a vital lesson for artists everywhere, reminding us that satisfaction and growth are the real measures of success. In a world where external validation can seem like everything, let's remind ourselves and our creative community that our passion, dedication, and the joy of creation hold the utmost importance. Join me in affirming and celebrating the beauty and significance of our work, recognizing that the true reward of creativity is found in the journey itself, not the applause it may or may not receive.

As artists, we're faced with decisions that can either fuel our creativity or deplete it. ✨ From deciding whether to sell artwork online, enter shows, or even accept critique, it's crucial to ask: will this decision fill me up or kill my flow? 🤔 Understanding what fuels our work and what depletes it is vital, involving deep reflection on our emotional responses, alignment with our artistic vision, potential for growth, and the balance of time and energy investment. Intuition often serves as our best guide, helping us navigate these choices to ensure our creativity flourishes authentically. In this post, I share journal prompts for deepening this exploration: evaluating moments of peak excitement, identifying burnout signs, establishing non-negotiables, assessing alignment with core values, confronting fears, and making mindful choices about our commitments. Join me in embracing the unique journey of creativity, and making choices that allow our work space to thrive.

Are you stuck in the "Muddy Middle" of your 100-day project? 💩 It's a common phase where the initial excitement fades, and the end seems far away. Whether it's carving, painting, or any creative endeavor, this crucial point requires reflection and decision. Learn how to reassess your goals, harness motivation, and decide whether to push through or pivot. This blog post offers practical tips, journal prompts to guide your thought process, and affirmations to support your journey, whether you decide to keep going or let go. Join me in exploring how to navigate this challenging phase with intention and creativity, ensuring your project aligns with your long-term artistic goals.

In Week 5 of my 100-Day Project, I faced the challenges of creative expression in the social media age. While dealing with the ups and downs of follower counts, I rediscovered the importance of creating art for its own sake and I shared the journal prompts that helped me figure it out. Join me on this journey as we explore the true purpose behind our artistic endeavors and find inspiration in the process, not the numbers.

In Week 4 of my 100-Day Project, I share my latest block prints and the results of my social media experiments👩🏻‍🔬. Dive into the world of hand-carved block prints and discover valuable insights into Instagram and TikTok. Explore the journey of gradual growth and creative exploration as we grow together.

Discover the art of achieving your goals with enjoyment and ease! ✨ As creatives and artists, we often face daunting challenges in our quest for success. In this insightful blog post, I’ll explore the crucial role of pleasure and simplicity in goal-setting. Learn why sustainability, motivation, stress reduction, and creativity are vital components in achieving your artistic ambitions. Dive into practical tips on breaking down goals, adding fun to the process, celebrating progress, and remaining flexible. 📝 Embrace the journey of creativity with journal prompts designed to infuse your goal-setting with excitement and ease. Whether you're struggling with a complex project or seeking to boost your creative output, this post offers valuable guidance and inspiration. Join our creative community and engage in a vibrant discussion on balancing enjoyment, ease, and challenge in your artistic endeavors. Let's transform the path to our dreams into an enriching and joyful experience!

Explore Week 3 of my 100-day block printing project, where I battled mental health challenges and discovered intriguing social media insights. From the surprising reach of TikTok to the best posting times on Instagram, I learned quite a bit this week. Join me as I share what I learned along with the hand-carved blocks I made this week, including Stinkbugs, Tufted Titmice, Lupines, Yellow Jackets, and Labrador Tea Plants. 🌱

Week 2 of my 100-day block printing project was a learning experience! 👩🏻‍🏫 Discover the importance of video content on social media as I share insights into timing, music choices, and the magic of consistency. Dive into the world of creativity and engagement as I explore the impact of different social media strategies in reaching a wider audience.

Explore Week 1 of the 100-Day Block Printing Project by Sarah K at Make For Good. Dive into her creative process, challenges, and valuable insights into social media and block printing. Follow along for artistic inspiration and tips on building a creative community.

Today’s the day I begin my 100-day project! 🌼 For the next 20 weeks, I’ll be hand-carving 100 blocks from my illustrations of the flora and fauna of Arizona, Maine, New Jersey, and Virginia - four places I’ve called “home!” 🌿 Instead, I'm sharing the Oleander - because to me, this resilient flower with its delicate, toxic petals is a symbol of resilience, strength, and transformation. Fun facts about Oleander: Though I loved admiring these blooms where I lived in Phoenix, it's not native to Arizona (or anywhere in the US). Its poison is a weapon in my favorite book, White Oleander by Janet Fitch. Though it's toxic if ingested by humans, oleander nectar is a favorite for many types of butterflies. So yay! Here we go. I'll be sharing my daily progress on my Instagram page, so follow me [@makeforgood] to stay connected.