4 x 5″ ink and watercolor on paper
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
They looked to the sky longingly, as the cloud made it’s way in. A food truck of sorts. Disaster relief for Mother Nature’s neglected children.
Drawn/painted in Photoshop
This can’t still be happening, he thought. A balloon permanently attached to one’s finger is fun for a little while, but this had gone on much too long. Sure it brought shrieks of joy to small children, was a great conversation starter and made most everyone smile. It was not all fun and games though.
Cooking, driving, writing – all were made a bit more difficult with this helium filled tag-along. Hugging his kids or his wife became a challenge unto itself for fear of strangulation. He eyed the floating bulb with disbelief. Enough.
Day 365, 9.5 x 12″ watercolor on pierced paper
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
After weeks of fussing underground, the flowers are poised to make their debut. Their green heads poke through the cool moist dirt as they are doused by a brilliant sun. It startles them at first. Soon enough though, the rays become familiar – like a gentle embrace. The flowers stand taller. They take their place in the garden – joined by old friends and new. There is much catching up to do.
Original pierced paper image
Day 364, 4 z 6″ ink and watercolor on paper
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
As this 365 project has neared the end, quite a few people have asked if I have anything special planned for day 365. The answer, I am quite content to say, is no.
I began this project because I needed to commit myself to art making. I needed to quit making excuses for why I wasn’t creating – the number one excuse being time.
When I began, I had aspirations of spending hours upon hours, every day creating great drawings or paintings; and there were a few days I did. I soon realized, though, there would be days that I would find only 20-30 minutes to focus on art. Initially I felt guilty about those days. As my daily practice continued though, I realized I was improving not in spite of the small amounts of time I could devote some days; but because of it.
Perhaps I don’t have anything special planned because I plan to continue to make art every day. While I won’t blog daily, and I won’t require myself to finish a piece each day, my commitment will continue and I will continue to improve because of it.
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
Stalks shoot
From nests below
Rigid arms reach out
Strong
As leaves dance
Gently with the breeze
Day 362, 10 x 10″ pierced paper and acrylic on canvas
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
Roots hold tight to
Dirt below
Streams of water
Blur
Reality to a soft hue
Day 361, 10 x 10″ acrylic on canvas
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
They sit on patios to lounge – coffee in hand, sunglasses on
Smiles reflect an appreciation
Of sun’s longer hours
Light bathes them as they chat
The only discomfort – if it can be called that
Are bare legs that stick
To chairs warmed by the spring
Day 360, 9 x 12″ watercolor and ink on paper
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
Weather, especially here in Colorado and my home state of Wyoming, intrigues me. The drastic jumps in temperature, the blizzards, the droughts, the afternoon thunderstorms that roll in without an ounce of notice; keep me loving mother nature. Perhaps if I lived where temps stayed relatively stable, this obsession would not be. My morning decisions would revolve around which color of shirt to wear, rather than wondering if I should wear a parka but pack shorts for later in the day.
Day 359, 11 x 14 Original ink drawing with Photoshop color addition
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
You wouldn’t know it by looking at him. On the surface he always appeared so gruff – half asleep even. Onlookers would see him soaking lazily in the muddy waters and think, “What a bore.”
The cool hippo was anything but. As stars shone above in the wee hours of night the cool hippo came alive. He played a saxophone that rivaled Coltrane. Smooth, silky; the notes flowed from the him like the waters of the Nile. Passers by fell silent with awe wondering where in the world these sounds were coming from?
Origianl 11 x 14″ ink on paper
Day 358, 5 x 8″ scanned ink on paper. Photoshop color addition.
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
I am back home after traveling for a week to Twin Falls, ID. I headed up that direction after my sister convinced me I should enter Twin’s city-wide art show. I had a wonderful time visiting my neeps and running around getting things ready for the show. The opening Friday was really lovely too – lots of great people, food and drink. I have to say, though, it does feel good to be back home.
Original, un-Photoshopped version.
Micah Richardson 