• classes
  • VIDA Collection
  • Minted
  • Privacy Policy

Ria Sharon

pondering creativity, process, and making art

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Reflections on 100 Days

August 24, 2015 by riasharon

Dogs

This week, we’ll officially be celebrating the 100 Day Project in St. Louis with a meetup at Meshuggah Cafe. So I wanted to post some of my reflections on the experience before I forget them all!

Before I go any further, a little background on the project…
The 100 Day Project began as a grad school project by Michael Beirut and then launched as a social media experiment in 2014 by Elle Luna. This year, Elle partnered with The Great Discontent to bring it to life on the interwebs from April 6-July 14, 2015 and I happened to be smack dab in the middle of my year of my devotion to my craft so… here we are. You can read more about the project and instructions if you are inspired to participate. The hashtag #The100DayProject is still alive and strong on Instagram (over 279,000 and counting).

I do think that I have grown as an artist because of this exercise and I can’t recommend it highly enough. My “design exercise” of choice was 100 Days of Pup Art. More than discipline, more than stamina, more than permission to experiment, more than range and flexibility and confidence… yes, I gained all of that from making 100 pups in 100 days… I think what I loved and didn’t expect was the element of surprise!

When I began, I thought I would get really practiced at one thing rather than having other things emerge that I did not anticipate. In all honestly, “pup art” was a “practical” choice. I was in the process of creating dog party printables and thought I could kill two “dogs” with one stone if I chose that as my theme for the next 100 days. ;P

I did not anticipate that in the process I would go on to more realistic dog portraits and be commissioned to do over 30 dogs over the course of the summer. I didn’t anticipate that I would explore sketching with ink and watercolor washes or get interested in character and icon development.

14-pup-art

I didn’t expect this on day 14.

77-pup-art

… or this on day 77

90-pup-art

… or this on day 90.

I don’t know if I would be here, without having gone through those 100 days first.

So I think I have to say I am most grateful for my new capacity to accept the unknown — not only accept it but embrace it. Having done this for the project, I’m more confident that I can continue to move forward in a way that allows my heart to lead.

Thank you, Elle and The Great Discontent.
This, has been everything.

p.s. If you are in St. Louis and want to join St. Louis Social Sketch in celebrating The 100 Day Project, come join us at Meshuggah this Thursday, Aug. 27 from 7-9:30p. RSVP on Facebook.

Filed Under: craft, process

The 100 Day Project

April 7, 2015 by riasharon

luna-100dayproject-pledge1

In my “spare” time, while getting lost on the interwebs, I stumbled across a familiar name from my days as a graphic designer: this piece by Michael Beirut on Design Observer about his 100 Days assignment at Yale. The point of the project is exploring the ways that people (you/me) balance inspiration and discipline. I’m not sure I can speak to this much more eloquently than Michael can so feel free to read his post.

I found Michael’s post from The 100 Days Project, an online version of Michael’s Yale assignment hosted by Elle Luna and The Great Discontent.

I also happened to touch base with my dear friend, Scott Ginsberg who mentioned his 100 Unit Theory. Scott says, “Forget 10,000 hours. Go for 100 units!” To which I said, “I am! Starting today, actually!”

Because I really need ANOTHER thing, right? But I’m like an addict in recovery. I’m in ART RECOVERY. This is my 90 meetings in 90 days.

As I right this, I realize how true this is. So much of what I learned in the 12-week Artist’s Way book/program mirrors what I’ve heard about addiction recovery… protect your sobriety and all that. Ritual, practice, surrender….

In our COCABiz session on creativity and lateral thinking, Robert asked us to brainstorm as many uses for a chair as we could in 2 minutes. Same thing just… 100 days.

So I’m doing this, along with many others, on INSTAGRAM ONLY. If you want to see how the process unfolds, follow me. If you want to join, tag me or send me a message here (or on IG) so I can add you to my stream.

Visit The Great Discontent for the rules.

Filed Under: craft

Hand-lettered Valentine

February 3, 2015 by riasharon

It’s February!!! Here’s a sketch of something I’m working on for Valentine’s Day. What do you think?
UPDATE: This is how it turned out AND someone bought it!!! 😀

© Ria Sharon

Filed Under: art prints, craft

Go with the flow.

January 13, 2015 by riasharon

© Ria Sharon

Filed Under: craft

Be. Here. Now.

January 13, 2015 by riasharon

My word for 2015 is CRAFT. I made a commitment to make art on a regular basis and Suzanne pushed me for weekly. Yikes!
Here’s my first piece for the year, which I also submitted to Minted.com’s Work of Art Challenge. Wish me luck! ;P
© Ria Sharon

Filed Under: craft

Weekly Word: Favorite

December 30, 2014 by riasharon

Next Word: Welcome

© Ria Sharon

Filed Under: craft

A little about me

I have an undergraduate degree in art. By day, I work in higher ed and in my free time I'm currently putting myself through DIY grad school.

I teach classes on creativity and inspiration on Skillshare. I occasionally share my original paintings on Etsy and fine art prints on Minted. I've also been known to make puppy portraits.

Sign up for updates!

We respect your email privacy

 

Shop now: wall art on Minted.

Categories

48dayscreative an artist's sketch artist's date art journal art prints classes collaboration color theory craft design DIY art school Documentation drawings etsy events floral paintings free printables gouache greeting cards illustration Illustration Friday kid art learning hand lettering portrait process products scroll-free year shows The Artist's Way tribe Uncategorized watercolor
dog birthday parties

Archives

Copyright © 2023 · Blossom theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Blossom Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in