It’s that time again you guys! Abstractify will be open for registration later this month, and by way of spreading the word to those who are looking for what it offers, while providing something fun and valuable in itself, I am delighted to be bringing back last year’s popular free challenge for artists of all kinds, 21 Days in My Art World!

Part of the richness of being an artist is the connection – to your own inner artist and to creative source yes, but also to other artists, and, if you’re wanting to sell your work, to potential collectors.

The connection part can feel quite daunting for many of us, because it means ‘going public’ in some way. It can feel incredibly vulnerable and scary to share what you’ve made, much less to offer it for sale – for many it’s like revealing a piece of your soul, which means opening yourself and your work up to scrutiny and judgement. Tempting, right?!

The arrival of Instagram changed that for a lot of us. It’s offered a place for creative communities that are supportive, kind, and enthusiastic about each other’s wins. I’ve met so many other artists around the world through Instagram and have found it to be friendly and encouraging, as well as a great platform for connecting with others and selling work.

And so last year I devised a challenge, or as I like to think of them, an invitation. We’ll call it a challenge as that’s language that many of us are used to, since they are everywhere these days. But think of it as an invitation if that feels less onerous!

Stronger together

This challenge is aimed at making it easier to connect with other artists and kindred spirits, and, if you like, with possible collectors of your work.

The added bonus is that it’s designed to build your ‘story’ as an artist. It’ll help you clarify aspects of your own process, what works and what doesn’t, and hopefully make it easier to talk about your work and motivations. Art buyers love to know more about the person behind the art – this will give them a glimpse behind the curtain and help us connect with each other as humans and creative beings.

How it works

Over 21 days, starting this Wednesday 3rd January 2018, we’ll share aspects of our unique artist worlds as a way to connect and expand.

We’ll invite people in to see what being an artist is like for us, what we’ve learned, what we love, what inspires us, what’s not so easy.

We’ll talk to each other about what it means to each of us to be an artist, and our dreams and plans.

If you’ve been wanting to connect and share more but have felt tentative about doing so, or even if you’re used to it by now but would love to expand further, you’re very welcome to join us!

If you’re not on Instagram and are a part of my private Facebook group {for course alumni and Artnote subscribers}, members often join in with challenges within the group. You can join by signing up here.

Feel free to share either image in this post with anyone you think might like to join in – you can download them by right clicking and saving to your computer or phone. The more the merrier!

On Instagram we’ll be using the hashtag #21daysinmyartworld, which is how we’ll find each other. I encourage you to comment on each others’ posts and embrace the connections!

If you’d like to join us and receive the daily inspiration/encouragement emails, sign up by clicking the button below.

The emails are designed to help you find fun ways to interpret each prompt and to keep the momentum going, if that feels helpful. Or you can go rogue and riff off the prompts yourself each day!

Whether you just join in for a handful of days, or stick with it for the whole three weeks, you’re welcome. It doesn’t have to be about selling your work if that’s not something you want to be doing.

The only rule is no ‘I must catch up’ pressure! Takes all the fun out of it. 🙂 {This is why I don’t like the word challenge. It seems to activate some kind of performance pressure in people!}

Help spread the word!

Here are a couple of thingies to share on FB or Twitter – edit them as you wish. Or you can share the image containing the daily prompts anywhere you like!

Want to get better at sharing your art and connecting with other artists and collectors? Join the free challenge, 21 days in my art world, here: www.bit.ly/myartworld218

Joining in with Tara Leaver’s 21 Days in My Art World challenge to reach more potential collectors and get used to sharing my work more easily! Want to join me? www.bit.ly/myartworld218

 In summary

• 21 day challenge/invitation on Instagram {#21daysinmyartworld} to get us all connecting more, clarifying our own processes, and feeling more comfortable with putting our work out there.
• If you’re not on Instagram, you can join in in the private FB group for all course alumni and Artnote subscribers; join here
• You can join in without signing up for emails, but should you wish to receive daily ideas and encouragement, click the button above
• Help spread the word by sharing the image containing the prompts or one of the suggested snippets above

So will you be joining us? Any questions or clarification required please leave a comment!