What Happened When I Decided to Draw Every Day

Summary

An individual recounts their personal journey of drawing daily as a means to reconnect with their creativity without the pressure of monetization, leading to improved art skills, mental discipline, and a positive influence on their family.

Abstract

The author begins their narrative in late December, not as a New Year's resolution but as a personal challenge to draw every day. This decision was made during a winter break visit to a craft store with their fully vaccinated child, marking a return to normalcy. The author, known to enthusiastically embrace new hobbies, had previously ventured into cross-stitching and resin necklace making, often turning hobbies into side hustles, which eventually became burdensome. This time, however, the commitment was purely for personal fulfillment, equipped with a cheap journal and Crayola markers, though a few additional craft supplies did find their way into the cart. The author started with mundane subjects like Purell and self-portraits before seeking more structure by using the "Sketch a Day" app, which provides daily word prompts for artistic interpretation. Over 60 days, the author experienced a rekindling of creativity, explored new mediums like acrylics and watercolors, dedicated non-screen time to art, improved their artistic skills, introduced discipline into their daily routine, set a creative example for their child, and reopened channels to other forms of creativity such as writing. The author reflects on the societal pressure to monetize hobbies and contrasts their own journey with the successful artistic paths of their high school classmates, emphasizing the importance of creativity in their profession as a school psychologist and therapist.

Opinions

The author values creativity for personal growth and fulfillment rather than as a means to make money.
Engaging in daily art has positively impacted the author's life by providing a sense of discipline and a screen-free, meditative activity.
The author believes in the importance of setting a creative example for their child, encouraging her to explore her own artistic expression.
There is an opinion that society places too much emphasis on monetizing passions, which can detract from the joy of the creative process.
The author recognizes the intrinsic value of creativity in their professional life as a school psychologist and therapist, suggesting that personal creative endeavors enhance professional capabilities.

What Happened When I Decided to Draw Every Day

Technically it wasn’t a New Years resolution, because I randomly started in late December. I was on winter break, and I took my kid with me to the craft store. She was finally able to be fully vaccinated and we were excited to start braving the non-required parts of the world again.

I’m dangerous in a craft store- I love a good crafting project, and I love starting new hobbies- like the time I bought a cross stitch kit from Junebug and Darlin which turned into five kits which turned into buying my own pattern making software and starting an Etsy store and going so full throttle into it that it became a side hustle/ burden and I didn’t enjoy it anymore. Or the time I bought a bunch of stuff to make resin necklaces and then realized how long it takes to dry and never got past the first test batch. Or the time I made felt and button bouquets for my wedding and then decided to mass produce barrettes that no one wanted to buy because the craft market is saturated, my friend.

This time was different though. This time I made a vow- I was going to do art every day but it couldn’t be for a side hustle. It had to just be to make art every day. I bought a cheap journal and some Crayola Supertip markers- nothing too fancy. Ok so I also bought some washi tape, stickers, and a really cool shark pencil sharpener and paint by number kit for the kid. And a Junebug and Darlin cross stitch kit to make a present for the husband (it was on sale!) BUT THATS IT.

I started off drawing the first thing I saw in the house (Purell? Really?) and some sort of self portrait.

Then I decided I needed more direction and I downloaded an app called Sketch a Day. It’s literally what it sounds like- every day it gives you a random word prompt and then you sketch/paint/draw it. If you want you can upload it.

Here’s what happened in the first 60 days I’ve been responding to drawing prompts:

Prompt: Sesame, Medium: Markers, illustration by author

I’ve gotten back in touch with my creativity.

The first several prompts I felt like I was using Google as a crutch. I needed references for every picture or I needed pictures to even get ideas. I tried so hard for realism that everything seemed a little forced. After time, not only did ideas start to come easier but I started feeling ready to start treading into new mediums- I tried acrylics, and my kids Crayola watercolors, and (yes, another trip to the craft store) fancy comes-in-a-tube water colors- which I had never used before and found I totally love. I started drawing things without any reference- and even if they came out clunky I felt a true joy creating them.

Prompt: Carry, Medium: Watercolor and pen, illustration by author

2. I had a dedicated time in my day that was not screen focused, not work focused, and used a different part of my brain. Sometimes it was short- only ten minutes. Other times I spent longer- but regardless it was time for me that still allowed me to be present in my house. My family could sit with me or talk with me and I wasn’t scrolling through my phone or staring at the tv.

Prompt: Beep, Medium: Watercolor and Pen, illustration by author

3. My skill is improving. I’m getting the hang of shading and color mixing- even if sometimes it’s by doing something and realizing it didn’t work out how I thought it would. I can look back and see a steady improvement.

Prompt: Edit, Medium: Pencil and Marker, illustration by author

4. It adds some discipline to my day. Like people who wake up and do yoga, this may not improve my physical health but there’s something about the discipline of it all that really feels amazing. Now I’m so invested in my streak, I’m just interested to see how long I can do it.

Prompt: Under, Medium: Watercolor, illustration by author

5. I’m setting a good example for my kid. She has her own account on Sketch a Day now. She comes up with hilarious and creative responses to prompts that amaze me and even if she spends two seconds of 8 year old energy creating it, she mirrors my pride in creating and creativity and that feels great to see.

Prompt: Groove, Medium: Watercolor, illustration by author

6. The creativity spread. My brain opened back up to other forms of creativity I had long ceased accessing: things like writing (hello, Medium) and listening to music of my own choosing (sorry kid, I’m taking back my Spotify). It’s like having a stress free activity that brings out endorphins is healthy and encourages more positivity- who knew?

Having art and creativity in my life is important to me, but the pressure to turn everything into a hustle and the message that if you can’t monetize something it’s not worth doing has kept me from challenging myself and taking risks. I look back at my high school tablemates from AP Art class. One is a professional painter and art teacher in Europe. One is a Fantastic tattoo artist in upstate NY. One I lost track of but last I heard was selling paintings for huge amounts of money. Me? I’m a school psychologist and therapist. Creativity is vital to doing my job as well, so anything that feeds that part of me is a welcome addition.

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