Nearing the end of my 100 day sketchbook project

Thinking about how to balance discipline and play

May 28, 2025

Hello Newsletter Friends,

My college teaching semester just ended, and I’m easing into the pace of summer. There’s a tension I’m noticing: the freedom to choose any project I want to focus on vs. the anxiety of having too many options—and wondering if I’ll "waste" this precious free time.

Creative work, though it may seem whimsical and clown-like on the outside - is still work, so I have been asking myself: How do I keep the spark of inspiration fresh and playful while still working toward creating finished things?

Doing the 100 day project for the last 94 days has helped me explore this question in unexpected ways. My only guidelines has been “fill one page a day” which has been just enough structure to balance with play. My time limit is simply when my body tells me I’m tired and it’s time to go to bed.

Day 89: I have a workshop coming up and I was thinking back on all the wonderful things the students in the last workshop made

Day 93: Hugs. Sometimes the prompt is simple but still something that brings warm fuzzies to my brain.

I’m both excited for the 100 days to end—and a little sad. But I’m 100% grateful for the experience.

Upcoming event: The Shape of Home 2-Day Pop-Up Gallery of Bay Area local artists to support immigrant and refugee non-profit

Eventbrite Info

Just finished the painting below of Come Home To Yourself which I’m donating to The Shape of Home show happening in Berkeley, CA this weekend. If you’re local, come out and support the show, buy some art from this awesome line up of artists. All of the art in SHAPE OF HOME will be sold as donations to ARTogether in Oakland, California, which helps provide resources, connection and community through art to immigrants and refugees in the East Bay.