With the 100 day project now out of the way and formally declared ”incomplete,” fact remains that my work with Alchemy Stones must go forward!
In ending the project only 25 days after starting it, I did feel a certain sense of relief in the sense that it was as if an obligation had been lifted off my plate.
I don't do very well when I feel obligated, and I don't do very well when I'm subject to constant deadlines.
There's an old saying I came across at some point that ”structure is the enemy of creativity,” and I think that is very true. At least for me.
Truth be told, I've done very little since I quit the 100-Day Project and it's only just today that I walked past my creative space and thought to myself that it would be nice to do a little work today. Then I thought the better of it, realizing that I have all kinds of other stuff on my to do list for today.
In general, that has pretty much always been how I have had to approach working on my art: it tends to be the very last thing I get to do in my daily routine, and since there's often so much that has to be done on a daily basis creativity just gets to slide away… sometimes for days, sometimes for weeks, sometimes even for months.
There's a certain irony in the reality that we often talk about ”starving artists,” and yet those who are tangibly living at the actual edge of starving are the ones that generally have the least time to do things that are creative!
But enough moping around!
One of the items that did arrive in my email today was the pesky monthly reminder notice from Etsy to pay my fee bill... or else. $16.60 for another month without a sale... not very encouraging.
I am still trying to make sense of the fact that my Etsy store actually was doing pretty well, starting around 2014 and 2015... and then pretty much fell off a cliff after that, pretty much in time with the rise of all the local "Friendship Rocks" stone painting groups, all over the world.
What I need to work out is what approach will get people back to looking at my work as art, rather than just "something my kid does at school."
I appreciate you coming to visit and please do leave a comment if you feel so inclined!
Thank You!
If you enjoy painted rocks, do check out The Hive Rocks Project and help spread the word about Hive, while also being creative!
Because I am trying to make some semblance of income — a part time living, even — I now add this footer to all my posts, in the hope that someone, somewhere, might decide to take a further look at my work, and perhaps consider supporting independent art.
Thank you, in advance, for your consideration and support!
My Alchemy Stones Patreon appeal
Alchemy Stones web site and blog
Regardless, your upvotes and comments are always appreciated!
Thank you for supporting independent art & creativity!
2025.02.23 AS-TXT-325/295