My very first 100-day project began in early 2021. I woke up in the middle of the night, my brain on fire with creative ideas—this happens a lot, a beautiful curse. I knew I needed a project with a beginning and an end, a creative “container” and a goal to aim for.
In the six months leading up to the project, I’d been experimenting with Encaustiflex—a tear-proof microfiber surface similar to paper that has the ability absorb encaustic/wax medium as well as oil stick (beautifully!) and remain flexible. I first used it in a workshop taught by Connecticut artist Leslie Giuliani, who developed Encaustiflex!, at R&F Handmade Paints in Kingston, New York. I fell in love with it and knew there was so much more magic to discover. A 100-day challenge was the perfect container in which to explore!
My self-imposed “rules” for the project came fast and natural!
- 100 pieces of art in 100 days
- 10 different processes
- 10 pieces with each process
Simple! Done!
What will my 10 processes be?
Again, the ideas came easily:
- vintage papers
- wax only
- watercolor paint
- pen doodles
- hibiscus dye
- ink-jet-printed photographs
- hand-carved rubber stamps
- india ink with brush
- quilting
- gelli-plate printing
I only had one detail left.
What was I going to mount the Encaustiflex on? I didn’t want to use wood—it felt too formal and heavy. This was a study, a visual and personal exploration. I wanted to keep it light in every way.
Matboard seemed like the perfect solution—and I was right. Using matboard with encaustic medium became its own study.
With all the parameters set for my project, I was ready to go into the studio. I moved through the 100 days easily. I didn’t work every day but scheduled time in my calendar throughout the week and dove in deep.
I enjoyed some processes more than others. I definitely became more comfortable with the Encaustiflex and encaustic medium, as well as with the necessary tools for both. The project was a success! I had 100 beautiful pieces of new work.
Throughout the project, I shared my progress on Instagram and with family and friends. But I wanted to do more than that.
So, as she does, the universe stepped in to help. A friend , intrigued by what I’d been posting online, asked me to lunch. Over sandwiches and coffee, she encouraged me to do something I’d never done before: to show my work. “You have to show all of these pieces together!”
I admit that I panicked a little. I knew her idea was sound, that these 100 pieces deserved to be shown together. But how? And where?
Soon after that lunch date, on a daily walk with my pups, it finally came to me: MY BARN!
So, on May 16th, 2021, I had a show! I created a sweet and simple setting. One hundred pieces lined up in a row at eye level on the walls of my barn. It was perfect.
Here’s a great video highlighting all 100 pieces.
Thanks for witnessing my efforts!
