Well, I managed to complete almost 80% of the 100-Day Project.
If I were still "active," today would be Day 88... but I had to admit defeat on Day 80.
One of the larger stones that came out of the challenge.
A Learning Experience!
Even though I didn't make it all the way to Day 100, it was definitely a positive learning experience.
On the upside, the challenge really helped me get back into a creative routine I "lost" a little after the 2019 holiday season.
Not so much on the upside, while I did kick a little life into several of my art-related social media accounts, the "habit" never stuck. It was hard work and a drag up until the very end... and I still feel put off by social marketing. It just feels boring as hell!
Lifestyle Realities
Above all, I ended up facing the fact that I simply don't live a life that allows for me to magically pluck two (additional) hours a day out of thin air to complete a three-month long challenge.
Whereas this is not a complaint, it definitely is a reality.
On average, I was spending about 60-90 minutes a day painting, 15-30 minutes a day with social media and 45-60 minutes a day creating posts and engaging on Hive. That works out to 2 1/2 hours a day... give or take.
I don't have 2 1/2 hours a day. On most days, I don't even have thirty minutes that are not mapped out.
I suppose you could argue that I shouldn't be working with art at all, if my finances/time is so tight, but I can't account for the cathartic benefits of painting mandalas in rocks.
On the upside (Part II) I had this idea that I would get a bit more in the habit of keeping some sort of "art blog," just as a tool to track my work over time... and I definitely gained a little, in that sense... I'll definitely be updating this blog more regularly than before the experiment!
One of my new designs, originated during the project
I would also say that I managed to get myself a little better organized, in terms of how to use my available time.
And several new design ideas did come out of the experiment, and I had a chance to fine-tune what kinds of designs work best for public events, like the UFO/Paranormal Summit we attended immediately before I threw in the towel.
What's Next?
Well, I have a big job ahead of me to get a bunch of the new work into the Etsy shop, and then I am going to start the long and rather tedious process of adding brief video clips to the Etsy listings... which will take quite a while, because I'm not willing to do a half-assed job.
My other "Office"
I have a former radio/podcast interview that's coming out as a TV program within about five weeks, so I need to be ready for that.
Alchemy Stones are very visual, after all.
And then there are shows ahead, starting: June 20th, July 18th, September 6th and then the Holiday Season.
Certainly no shortage of things to be done!
I appreciate you coming to visit and please do leave a comment if you feel so inclined!
Thank You!
If you enjoy painted rocks, do check out The Hive Rocks Project and help spread the word about Hive, while also being creative!
Because I am trying to make some semblance of income — a part time living, even — I now add this footer to all my posts, in the hope that someone, somewhere, might decide to take a further look at my work, and perhaps consider supporting independent art.
Thank you, in advance, for your consideration and support!
My Alchemy Stones Patreon appeal
Alchemy Stones web site and blog
Regardless, your upvotes and comments are always appreciated!
Thank you for supporting independent art!
2024.05.17 AS-TXT-262/232
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