The big challenge is to create 1000 new small works in 2018. These will be in sets of 100 each of ten of my favorite genres of work. I know, I know- what craziness doth I dwell in?! Haha! Well, it makes me focus on productivity. But that is not all. This challenge has several objectives.

First and foremost- it is to get me moving in a way that helps me to work with the flow of inspiration. When I truly focus for a while in a particular genre of work, say miniatures for example, that spark of creativity is at its best and blossoms into directions I never dreamed of. It is like running until you can spread your wings and fly. And yes, with art that is possible.

One of the other objectives of this mad-mission is to loosen up and not take myself so seriously. That means I want to work in patterns and rhythms that will help me build up some speed (and confidence) for freedom of expression. I tend to zero in and get isolated while seeking perfection. Hopefully, if I am not too committed to the small works of a big series, I will find that freedom I need so badly.

In January I made 100 little "room-box-like" artworks. Imagine that. My first of the genres is miniatures. I am calling them Story Boxes.

Some are quite simple, some more complex. All have a message or story. I used a die to cut the card stock that the matchboxes are made of. Then I assembled them and created a scene inside that communicates with the paper the box is made of. Lastly, I put a word, phrase, or picture on the outside to give a clue to the inside. I kept it flat on the outside as a measure to allow me to display these in baskets (in an exhibit I plan for the future). They invite you to open them. Pull out the little drawer to see what is inside. I never ran out of ideas throughout this challenge, which means my first goal worked. Maybe on the next challenge set I will learn how to do my second goal. We shall see.

If you want to see some of them, just click here to link to an album on my Facebook page.

I would love to know what you think of the Story Boxes. Next up: Drawing; Painting; and Collage. Weeeeeeee......

Little Things- Big Challenge

Angie Cook

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