{"id":7130,"date":"2017-07-07T12:08:59","date_gmt":"2017-07-07T16:08:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mindfulartstudio.com\/?p=7130"},"modified":"2017-07-07T12:18:12","modified_gmt":"2017-07-07T16:18:12","slug":"the-inchie-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mindfulartstudio.com\/the-inchie-challenge\/","title":{"rendered":"The Inchie Challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Inchie<\/a><\/p>\n

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Dear Wonderful, Creative You:<\/p>\n

By now you are probably aware that I am in love with small format art<\/strong>, and perhaps I’ve even managed to give you the bug too. Perhaps, you’ve signed up for\u00a0my new class, Fluid Art<\/a>, which teaches how to use high flow acrylics on tiny pieces 3 inches or less and you are eagerly awaiting it’s release Monday, July 10th. (Yes, Monday!)\u00a0But perhaps you are new here, or perhaps you haven’t yet experimented with tiny art to see how it strikes you and how it might affect your creative self-care practice. Either way, I’d like to invite you to consider some of the benefits of small art.<\/p>\n

The Benefits of Working Small<\/h3>\n

Let me tell you a bit about why I believe in the power of working small<\/a>. Of course I understand that it may not be for everyone, nothing is, but before you close yourself off, I’d invite you to stay\u00a0open to the possibilities.<\/p>\n

Many of us struggle to find the time and motivation to create. Work, family, house cleaning, and other responsibilities\u00a0seem to get in the way<\/a> and always take priority. Making art\u00a0often feels like an art “project,” or chore<\/strong> – instead of a joy or a release – it takes a large chunk of time to set up, complete, and clean up. If I approached my art practice this way, I don’t think I’d make a tenth of the art I make.<\/p>\n

A big part of what I teach you to do through the Fluid Art process is to weave shorter art making sessions into your day,\u00a0in a\u00a0natural way.<\/strong>\u00a0I’ve seen how if you work small, carry a portable art kit<\/a>, work in stages, focus on process instead of product, and produce a lot of little works, art becomes an ongoing, accessible, and relaxing process that yields deeply satisfying, soulful art. I’d love for you to develop this practice too.<\/p>\n

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Take the Inchie Challenge<\/h3>\n

\"inchie<\/a><\/p>\n

Tips for Doing the Inchie Challenge:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

To help kick off the release of Fluid Art<\/a>, I’m running an “Inchie Challenge.” Participating is very simple. Just create an art piece that is two inches or smaller. You might like to take it to the next level and pay attention to your experience while you work – What comes up for you working small? \u00a0What do you notice about what you hear? Feel? See? Can you hear your breathing? Can you feel the pressure of the pen or brush in your fingers? This is a way of making your art making a mindful, soothing act. Or, you can just let go and see what flows out. There’s no right or wrong way to create.<\/p>\n

Here’s some tips for working small that I’ve found very helpful for weaving more art into my life:<\/strong><\/p>\n