Must. Draw. Daily.

So I’m that brand of artist that struggles to break through procrastination (definition; fear of failure) to actually create art. This has lead me to question repeatedly if I am an artist at all, especially when presented with multiple stories of artists that have been consistent producers since they first held a crayon. 

My current affirmation is YES I AM AN ARTIST and to help me to realise this is in a practical sense of actual ART being produced I’ve set myself a daily drawing project: a portrait a day. 

Aim: Improve skill while experimenting with different methods.

• Preference for live sitting subject when possible
• Any medium within drawn / painted
• Post ALL on Instagram
• If I miss a day I must make it up
• To be ongoing. No finish date.
•  Use hashtag #jessgetsbusydrawingpeople

and guess what? I’ve actually completed 9 portraits in 9 days! 🙌🏼 Gold stars for me.  

The results of this have already been amazing.  

1. increased confidence  
2. increased skill  
3. requests for commissions
4. local market has asked me to become a regular stall holder  

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 As expected the majority of the positive feedback has been for my realistic detailed portraits. So there are some fears that arise over accepting commissions and the market stall. 

• The obvious: Am I good enough? 
• What if someone doesn’t like the resulting work?  
• What if this traps me into a style I don’t want to continue in? 
• What if this distracts me from other more soul-satisfying creative work?

I think my tendency to be absolute or black and white is getting in the way. Of course I can give it a go: see if this is soul-satisfying for me. If not, try something else.  

What do you think?