Halfway through my 100 day project: Reflections and discoveries
Reaching the halfway milestone
I’ve made it! Fifty pages down, fifty to go.
While I’m not one to quit—unless it’s a dull book—this feels like a meaningful shift.
My aim was to build a visual library of marks, shapes, and patterns, and I already have a wealth of material to draw from.
It’s fascinating how the prompts unfold. I pick one memory each day from my pre-written list. Some are vivid, others elusive, but as I draw, hidden details often emerge. These spontaneous moments of "remembering through making" are where the magic happens.
Sneak peek at Day 51 👀 and my workspace essentials: prompts, palette, paint water, brushes, credit card, cloth, and, of course, coffee!
Establishing a creative routine
I initially aimed for 20–30 minutes a day. In reality, I got so excited by the results that my daily pages threatened to become my only activity of the day! I’ve had to learn to reel it back in.
My current rhythm:
The timing: I create the page after my morning routine (meditation and art journaling). I’m warmed up but still fresh.
The energy: If I wait until late in the day, the practice feels like a "duty" rather than a pleasure.
The outcome: A satisfying page gives me a boost for the whole studio day; a difficult one can be disappointing, but it always teaches me something, usually the lesson to stop while it’s still fresh!
A few of my favorite pages from the journey so far.
Challenges and adaptations
I’ll be honest: I considered quitting twice. There were days when I was simply too tired or preoccupied to create.
Eventually, I gave myself permission to skip a day when needed. This felt much better than forcing a page I wouldn't be satisfied with. I’m currently three days behind, but that’s okay. I’ve also learned to discard overworked pages and start anew the next morning. It’s a constant reminder that I produce my best work when I’m well-rested and free from stress.
I also appreciate the daily deadline, the consistent format and surface I've chosen, and the limited colour palette—which seems to offer endless combinations 🌈.
Adding coloured pencils, my favourite tool from childhood, brings me joy, especially in how they interact with acrylic paint.
Most of my pages begin with a painted background, followed by drawings using coloured pencils inspired by the daily prompt, and then additional layers of paint. It's a process of layering and reimagining.
Community and Engagement
Sharing these pages on Instagram has been a surprising highlight. Seeing people try to guess the memory behind a piece is a joy!
Many memories involve my brother, and I’m curious to see if my visual interpretations resonate with his own recollections.
The question I get most is:
"What will you do with these 100 pages?"
Use them as reference material for large-scale paintings.
Select the best 10–15 to frame for my art fair in September.
Create a series of prints.
Perhaps even exhibit all 100 together (a daunting but intriguing idea!).
Looking ahead: The next 50 days
For the home stretch, I’m sticking to my restricted palette and the 30-minute goal. I love how cohesive the first 50 pages look when laid out together, though I have no idea where I’ll find the floor space for all 100!
As I return to my day job soon, integrating this practice into a busier schedule will be a new layer of the challenge. But I have 4–5 extra prompts in stock, and I’m excited to see the finish line.
Halfway there! The first 50 pages are filling up the floor—wondering where the next 50 will go.
Invitation to reflect
I’d love to hear about your experiences with long-term creative challenges.
How do you stay consistent?
How do you navigate those moments when you want to quit?
I share my daily pages on Instagram stories and post updates every week or so. You're welcome to follow along.
Follow the Journey:
Explore my Instagram gallery showcasing week 2 of the challenge.
Read the previous blog post detailing the project's inception.
Read the next blog post about completing the challenge
Visit the Pinterest board for a curated collection of the artworks.
From Day 1 to Day 50 — a peek at my pages, week by week
