What I Learned from The 100 Day Project

I am so grateful that I pushed myself to participate in and complete the 100 Day Project.

My goals for my project:

• My intent for the project was to find a way to paint more without relying on my signature style of black outlines specifically for interiors.
• I wanted to learn to paint more loosely with watercolor and use color to define the spaces, rather than ink outlines.
• I wanted to develop my personal style more and create a cohesive body of work rather than disjointed pieces.
• I also wanted to have fun and learn more about myself.

My guidelines for the project were:

• Create a vignette. It could be an interior, an exterior, or an outdoor space
• Use watercolors on paper but no ink
• Try to do this daily, but realize your limitations.
• Remember that your family and sanity come first, and don't be so hard on yourself!

What I learned:

1. I needed to have a plan in place and remove as much of the decision making as possible. I knew I had to use watercolor and paint some type of space that humans may encounter. It was helpful and I've learned over time that I thrive on having limits to be more creative and inspired
2. Create limits and structure for yourself if necessary. I learned that I needed to create a story to inspire these vignettes to inform my choices of furniture, pattern, colors and make the vignette make sense.
3. I reconnected with my love of the narrative and creative writing. I've always enjoyed writing, but it's been years since I've made up stories. Who knew I loved making up stories? I was dealing with a major life transition myself, and am interested in strong females, so many of the stories had that in common.
4. Projects and big ideas make me bolder. Quickly being part of a bigger project is empowering. Once I saw how quickly my artwork was building up, I wanted to see it next to other people's projects. It made me reach out and find other Philly artists doing this project. I met Sarah Ferone, and we teamed up to see if we could get a group show. We made a proposal and everything. It did not end up happening (I also found out I was moving to Florida right around that time), but I did learn a lot. I realized it would not be that scary to put together a show one day or submit my own work.
5. Community is key, find your peeps. Since the show idea didn't work due to time and logistics, we instead had a simple yet wonderful meetup at a beer garden in Philly. It is one of the most wonderful things in the world to connect via social media with like minded people. It is even better to meet up with those people in real life. I was thrilled to share some beers with the talented artists Sarah Ferone, Terri Fry Kasuba, Mary Kate McDevitt, Melissa McFeeters, and Barb Chotiner.

What didn't work:

• There were some days that I could not do it. I was exhausted, I wasn't inspired, or just didn't feel like it. I didn't sweat it, because this is a way of life in a way - the deciding to do what matters most.
• I didn't finish it on time. I had a lot on my plate and this had to move down on my list of priorities. That's life and it happens. But it doesn't mean you have to give up. Just rewrite the rules. (I was never good at following them anyway).

My tips:

1. Don't overthink things and your materials are not that precious. Use your good watercolor paper. Make mistakes. Make something different out of the mistake. Take the pressure off of yourself to be perfect. Just get things done. Put it away, let it go and move on. The one time I went back into something, I regretted it. But you know what? It's still fine. And at first it felt too precious to use my good paper to experiment. So I would use my mixed-media pad instead to just create and not worry. But once I started forcing myself to use the good paper, it was fine and I adjusted. If I found myself overthinking something, I went back to my sketchpad or painted smaller that day.
2. You can find small moments to create no matter how busy or frustrating a day you have had. But it's a choice, and sometimes you have to give something up. Sleep before work. TV. Time with people you love. The idea of a clean home. It's up to you what makes the most sense that day and be nice to yourself!
3. Have a designated space if possible. It's easier to create daily depending upon the medium and having a designated place to work that doesn't require a lot of set-up or take-down. Watercolor and gouache are especially good for this. particularly watercolor, since if your palette dries, you just add more water later. Now I don't have a designated space, but I have a bookshelf with a tray I can carry and that works just fine!
4. Sometimes you just need to show up and make crap. But don't stop, keep making something! As Elle Luna said, "Show up, show up, show up!" It's about doing the work, slogging through, not being so hard on yourself, and seeing where the process takes you.
5. Public accountability is empowering. Accountability and working with others (especially posting on Instagram) helped to keep me going. But I also realized that my goal was to finish the project and learn. It's not a competition with others, it's about yourself.

Why I'm glad I did it:

• I'm proud of myself for completing this big project.
• I really love many of the paintings I created.
• It built my confidence in my work and myself as an artist and writer.
• It made me learn to paint quicker and experiment with my style in a cohesive way.
• It showed me what I most wanted in my life, because I found myself inspired by places, stories, and things that I wanted myself! For example, having a garden, moving home to Florida,  an outdoor or tropical lifestyle, being near family, having a simpler life, and needing a creative component in my life, in whatever shape that takes
• I think I'll keep finding things that were great about doing this project, and see how those tiny steps led to larger steps that will lead me to bigger dreams down the road. Like making this into a self-published book and selling the prints and originals soon!

New Blog Series: Carving Out Time for Art

I am fascinated by other people's daily lives, especially about how they make time for passion projects, side gigs, hobbies, and art. After taking a hiatus from painting after my son was born, one day I just started creating again. The new porcelain palette gifted from my husband was calling to me. Little by little, muscle memory came back, and I started feeling more inspired than ever. I set up my work area to be easier to use in short bursts, and for the first time in awhile, all I wanted to do was paint. I started painting faster and looser so that I could feel like I did something, even if it was for 10 minutes. It also felt good because I resented being told that once I was a mother, I'd never again have a free moment to myself ever again.

Around the same time, I started posting my work on Instagram, which was life changing. I loved feeling like a member of this supportive maker / artist community, and connecting with like minded people also putting themselves out there. Encouragement from others and cheering for new friends gave me more confidence and motivation.

I read an interview in Domino Magazine with Jaime Derringer, and related to the surge in creativity she mentioned after having her daughter. I commented to her on IG that it resonated with me, and she mentioned that other people had said the same. That's when I got the idea to ask others how motherhood had changed their approach to art, and how they found time to paint. (Oh, and I also asked Jaime herself to participate!)

These women are all very different, but share amazing dedication and talent - whether they are finding time to paint right now or not. I can't wait to share their interviews with you over the next couple of months.

I'll post these features for Carving Out Time for Art every Monday, starting on May 4th! Feel free to follow me on Instagram and I'll post the link each Monday.

I created the hashtag #carveouttimeforart in hopes that people may use it when they are able to find some time for themselves to create. We all have the same 24 hours, but this is dedicated to the hustlers, the dreamers, and the people that get things done. Sometimes 5 minutes at a time.

I'm rooting for you.

Painting What I Broke & New Custom Painting Listings

I recently painted a treasured watch for a someone to honor her father's memory. I felt grateful that I could create something to help another person during a tough time. I thought the idea was so meaningful, and it made me want to paint something that belonged to my brother to celebrate his life.Someday I will paint my Andrew's treasured punk rock leather jacket that he painted on, sewed patches on, and studded all by hand. I love that jacket, and it makes me smile whenever I see it at my parents' house. It's heavy and has the weight of a hug from afar I like to thinkWith all the Marie Kondo "tidying" I've been doing in my home, it's impossible to not think about meaning behind objects and why we choose to hold on to them or let them go. I thought this would also be a perfect way to either help someone remember or let go of an item that they loved but could no longer keep. Conversely, it could also be a painting of something that they loved that sparked joy! I don't know if Marie Kondo would like me trying to add more to people's homes, but if it makes them happy, who am I to stop them? Heck, it could be a painting of a pair of shoes that someone is pining over but will never be able to afford. The options are endless.When I was rushing around my house this past week in a hurry to get myself to work and my son to daycare, I broke a Lorena Barrazueta porcelain dish that I bought at Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn years ago. I was aggravated and a little upset, because I really liked it and always put my rings in it. However, with all the Minimalist articles I like to read (and having a toddler), I feel I'm more accepting of things that break these days. It was the perfect excuse to paint something of my own to remember, and then create a listing for others. First I tried to draw it from my head in a loose painting style, but I realized it didn't look right. So I found an old picture I had of it, and sketched it out in pencil on a new piece of paper.

I used the reference photo to see where the light was hitting it, and masked off the white areas and layered on some shadows.

Then I let everything dry, erased the pencil marks, and did a final pass to add more shadows and refine some of the highlights.I thought it turned out nicely, and am happy with the depth I captured in the upper right hand corner of the dish.

The lesson I learned is to try to get up earlier in the morning and not rush, and that sometimes our belongings have lived out their time with us. A friend told me of a Japanese art called Kintsugi, which repairs broken ceramics with gold or other metals. Instead of disguising the break, it highlights it as part of the items history. Isn't that fascinating?

I loved painting this, and created new listings in my Etsy Shop / Marissa Huber for 5"x7" commissions or 8"x10" commissions if anyone is interested!

Watercolors for Caitlin Wilson Textiles

Right before Henry was born, I was commissioned to paint several water colors for Caitlin Wilson Textiles, thanks to a referral by Rachel Grace. My illustration style and what she needed turned out to be a good fit, and I am so grateful to have this opportunity to work with her. Caitlin is an amazingly talented and creative designer. I had so much fun bringing her lovely pillows and interiors to life in watercolor for her portfolio and website relaunch. I always love a fellow enthusiast of bright and happy colors.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I loved being able to do something that felt "normal" in the early days of motherhood, as I was feeling tied to the sofa while feeding the baby or trying to sleep. It was a bit stressful as well definitely, but it helped me to work faster and  plan my time differently. Instead of painting a watercolor in 2 shots, I had to think of what I could accomplish in 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and be flexible as well. As sometimes my mom could hold the baby, and sometimes he needed me, as I am his food source!

This type of working means that I have to leave my studio area in progress sometimes, and avoid the common procrastination trap of thinking everything must be neat and clean before I can start working. Sometimes you just have to get it done, even if it's painting on your bed while watching TV with a cute little boy who just wants to snuggle next to you.

Caitlin could not have been sweeter or more understanding regarding working with a brand new baby, as she's a working mom herself. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to meet her in person before she relocated to Portland, but I can definitely say she is a sweetheart (via email) and a talented and hard worker who deserves great success.

Enjoy the details of these watercolors. The floral pillow with navy piping was my favorite to paint. Okay, and the bulletin board!

Drawing Houses in Philly, New Jersey + Cincinnat

It seems like the trees in my neighborhood were just shaking their pink pom-poms announcing spring, but we're already in the middle of summer thunderstorms.  It must have taken that long to start adjusting to the new rhythm of my life.

Our schedule is getting easier, or we're adapting and becoming more efficient baby wranglers. We're learning to pick and choose some nights. The kitchen remains clean, but we've left clean laundry unfolded in favor of more time with Henry, dinner out with friends and a whole book read last week. I thought about doing it tonight, but decided to check in here instead.  Every day is a choice when it comes to time, but I'm trying not to sweat it or spread myself too thin.

I'm feeling very grateful to have the need to carve out time to finish some house illustrations, and create floral garlands for photographer Anna Peterson's new logo.

This row home drawing was one of my favorites to do, mainly because it was for my friend who is a total sweetheart, and also because I loved painting the little flower boxes. I was especially happy to finally finish this, since it was part of a long overdue wedding gift I'd been meaning to send, but some baby got in the way. I told myself I technically have a year according to Emily Post, but I felt really guilty not finishing yet when she threw me a Book Club Baby Shower and cooked me a delicious chicken pot pie and Smores bars shortly after Henry was born!

This sweet portrait was a commission (and surprise gift) for the parents my friend, Rachel Grace of Raenovate. They were moving to be closer to her and her growing family, and she wanted to document their beloved home of thirty-six years.

This Cincinnati home portrait was finished just in time for Father's Day.

Alright, I'm off to delay yet one more day of folding laundry (probably).