15 Minutes-a-Day Art Check-in #4

It now being March (how did that happen?), today’s check-in is the official start of the 15 Minutes for March creative challenge!

Didja see how I did that? Didja? Snuck it right in there – an extension of the one-month challenge I started in February. Pretty clever of me, huh?

The thing is, putting in 15 minutes a day in the Creative Sandbox has been so transforming that I’m continuing it into this month. And yes, I confess my goal is to keep it up in perpetuity, but to maintain a sense of low-pressure “achievability,” I’m keeping the official commitment to one month. Join me if you like!

By the time you read this, I’ll actually be at my annual retreat with the Friends of Calligraphy – five days of unmediated bliss: making art, reading, sleeping, walking, eating yummy food, and re-connecting with my fellow retreaters, many of whom I only see at the retreat each year.

Did I mention it’s wonderful?

The image below is of the tiny “inspirational gifts” I created to give to my fellow retreaters. See a close-up view of 6 of them at the top of the post.

One of the special aspects of the retreat is the generosity of spirit that shows up. The space is a former convent in Marin County, California, now a sacred space used for mostly silent and other spiritual retreats throughout the year. 30 or so of us convene to work on our own projects, sharing a big room that we call the Scriptorium. If you forgot to pack something in your supply box, never fear – at least three people probably have one you can use, be it paper, paint, pens or even a lamp for your work station.

Every day, little gifts will appear on each person’s table, frequently anonymously. I’ve never been a big giver of ephemera, but this year I was inspired by my 15 Minutes-a-Day challenge to create tiny little abstract artworks, in walnut ink and watercolor, each inscribed with a fellow retreater’s name.

What a wonderful feeling each one was to create, knowing this little piece would brighten somebody’s day.

I’ll be putting in much more than 15 minutes a day this week, but the really special thing about this year is that it’s the first time ever that I’ll be able to report during Wednesday night’s opening circle that I’ve actually been making art at home!

Sad, but true, that I spent so many years not creating, unless paid to by a client. How easy it is to get separated from your creative spirit.

We’re reunited now, and about to immerse for 5 days.

See you when I get back!