Flourish: Celebrating Our Artistic Journeys and the Spirit of Growth

 

Hi there my creative friend! I am so glad you’re here :) 

As we step into the spirit of Christmas, it’s got me thinking about the power of spirit and how it envelops our being, gives us hope and a strong sense of celebration for all we’ve been given in this lifetime. 

Much like the Christmas spirit, the gift of creativity and the celebration of our growth allows us to feel that same magic as we reflect on how far we’ve come! 

As artists, it is so easy to overlook our gains, especially when they’re subtle.

We often move the goal post quickly and bypass the acknowledgement of the hard work and passion it took to get us where we are. Our sights tend to stay locked on where we want to go giving us a sense of defeat and disparity for not being there. 

Am I right? Do you feel this way too? If not, good on you! But, if you do I sincerely hope you stick with me here and learn to feel that sense of accomplishment we so desperately need to continue to propel ourselves forward! 

Celebrating our growth is a sacred act, one full of honor and appreciation for all we’ve overcome. It is never about comparisons with others, or benchmarks or competitions. It is not even about hitting those large goal posts either.

It is about acknowledging and giving ourselves huge props for showing up everyday with passion and making some progress no matter how small.

It can be a subtle as a nod inside of us, a spirit all of its own that keeps us moving forward with hope every day.

It is a journey of discovery, practice and transformation. 

And, sometimes, the subtle nuances are just as important as bold strokes.

 

Why 100 Shades of White?

White symbolizes purity, new beginnings, and a blank canvas. The subtle differences in shades can help us represent those subtle progressions our artistic growth!

Using a palette of 100 shades of white, let's celebrate the depth of our artistic journey and acknowledge the beauty in the subtle nuances that accumulate overtime in our growth.

Recognizing and celebrating our small accomplishments means everything to our spirit.

Every minor improvement, every piece completed, contributes to our growth. The shades of white symbolize these incremental steps, each one bringing us closer and more in tune with a joyous spirit! 

The shades of white represent our quiet victories and our celebration of overcoming small lessons learned from each mistake.

 

Techniques to Celebrate Your Growth

1. Reflect on Your Journey

Take time to look back on your earlier works. Notice the changes in technique, style, and confidence. This is such an important step in our journey. Sometimes we don't notice our growth, but I promise it is there if we take time to notice it! 

2. Create a Growth Timeline

Document your artistic milestones. Are you keeping track of your earlier works compared to now? A great way to do this is using and keeping a sketchbook, or taking images of every piece you create to put in a folder, no matter how bad you think they are. You don't need to share them, but documenting them for later viewing is an incredible experience down the road. 

3. Mindful Practice

Engage in mindful practice by focusing on the subtle variations in shades of white. Did you learn anything new? If so, stop and celebrate that in the moment! 

4. Experiment with Texture

Using different textures alongside shades of white can add depth and richness to your work. Try using materials such as paper, fabric, or natural elements to create a layered effect. Much like the layers and changes in the painting, it is the same way in our life and the layers it takes overtime to see our evolution. 

5. Celebrate Small Wins

Acknowledge and celebrate small accomplishments in your artistic journey. Each shade of white can represent a different aspect of your growth, from learning a new technique to completing a challenging piece. Place the different shades in your sketchbook marking next to them what you have overcome across time. This is a fantastic way to celebrate and fuel your spirit with a sense of accomplishment! 

Writing Prompts - Enjoy Journaling? Here are some prompts to get you thinking: 

1. Write about a specific moment or work that made you realize how much you’ve grown as an artist.
2. Describe how the different shades of white symbolize various phases of your artistic journey.
3. Journal about the importance of subtlety and details in your art and how they contribute to your overall growth.

 

 

Sketchbook Challenges

1. Create a monochromatic piece using only shades of white, focusing on texture and contrast.
2. Document your growth by recreating  an older piece of art using 100 shades of white.
3. Design a visual timeline of your artistic journey, using different textures and shades of white to mark significant milestones

Come Create a Winter Angel with Me :) 

 

 

Did you enjoy this? Come share your work and find more tutorials and inspiration in the Free Facebook Group The Artists Journey; Imagine, Learn, and Create! 

 

Or share with a friend :) 

 

Merry Christmas to you my fellow creative! I hope all your dreams come true :) 

 

Until next time 

Lots of Love,