Hi and welcome back to the Chrissie Murphy Designs Blog. Today I thought I’d share some of my initial thoughts for the year ahead and give you an idea of what to expect in 2023. I am taking a more personal approach to this year. I am keen to explore a more sustainable, resourceful and creative way of making art.
Yeah, but what does this mean?
I’m not sure where I first read it, but it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while…. In short, for the next year, I will be committing to buying no new art supplies.
I have drawers and cupboards full of mediums and art supplies I have never really used. I have no idea what they’re capable of because I’ve never been in a position where I’ve needed to use them.
I want to grow creatively, resourcefully and sustainably…. and I think one of the best ways to do this is to limit my palette.
It’s a conscious decision
How do I know what true creativity, resourcefulness and sustainability is? I have every medium under the sun to play with and the ability to keep getting new supplies when I need them.
I’ve realised that I don’t know what it is because I’ve never needed to pursue it. So I’ve made a conscious decision to pursue it in 2023.
So what to expect in 2023…
When I run out of a particular type of artist tile or a particular sized pen, I will need to think creatively and be resourceful. I will need to use something different.
When I run out of my usual 01 Microns, it might mean I become more proficient at working with thicker nibbled pens…. It might mean I find that blue pens are the go for a while. Or it might mean I need to work out another way to source a pen.
Who knows…. I just know I’m keen to grow creatively and be more resourceful and sustainable with what I have.
This is the crux of what you can expect in 2023.
What about your usual stuff, like the Magnified Fragments Project and Tangle Index Time etc?
These will continue as per normal. Nothing will be changing…. but it might mean I need to find more creative ways to achieve the week’s fragment.
I’m looking forward to the challenge that having limited supplies will bring. And I think it will be of benefit to the project in the longer term.
Ultimately though…. I’m looking at a much bigger picture
We’re all stewards. We’re all people who are here on earth, in different places, with different things in our possession that we’re to look after. I have realised that there’s a lot more I could be doing to steward what I’ve been given, well.
What is stewardship? The dictionary defines stewardship as;
The responsible overseeing and protection of something considered worth caring for and preserving:
Dictionary.com
I’ve learned that my behaviours as an artist have become very wasteful and irresponsible. I need to have a more creative, resourceful and sustainable way of doing things. So I need to be a better steward and in 2023, I will be taking some steps to ensure I am.
It’s a different way to approach the year, but it’s where I’m at…
I know that last year I laid down a bunch of intentions for the year, but I don’t really have a pile of intentions for 2023. There’s still things I’m hoping to do, but my focus has changed. Here’s what to expect in 2023.
- My main intention is to be a better steward, so everything I do this year will be with this in mind.
- I hope to have some classes available at some stage.
- I’m keen to work through some of the back catalogue of Project Packs, classes, books and courses I have previously purchased. Again, these have sat in cupboards, bookshelves and on my PC waiting for me to actually do them! There’ll be no more purchasing new until these are done.
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Until next time, listen to your heart and sharpen your coloured pencils. A masterpiece awaits!
Bless you my friend
Chrissie xx
Really need to get on board with this. Have thrown out heaps of markers and pens that have dried up before I used them. I also need to take markers and pens to be recycled
Thanks so much for your comment Rachel 😀 I am really looking forward to my “no new art supplies” year ahead. I think the situation you’re describing is such a common thing we fall into these days. Art supplies have become so easy to come by.
I am very interested in seeing if we grow creatively when we’re forced to try different ways of doing things due to a lack of supply. I’m hoping we do 😃
Brilliant idea. I can finally admit that I have been a compulsive acquirer and I think we may all have a large stash of materials that need to be used up. I will follow along with great interest.
Thanks so much for your comment Jan. I’m really excited about the possibilities that will come through having to be more resourceful with what I create. I’m really looking forward to it 🙂
Stewardship of the planet’s resources is very important. That’s why I purchased a Lumos pen from Tom’s Studio, tomsstudio.com. The Lumos is essentially a refillable Micron that uses fountain pen ink–and, yes, there is permanent fountain pen ink. There is selection of interchangeable tips, so one pen is enough. While the initial purchase is an investment, it’s much less expensive and kinder to the planet than throwing out the plastic Microns or other disposable pens.
Thank you very much for telling me about this Nancy, I will have a look at the website. Although I don’t want to purchase more art supplies this year, I might be able to suggest it to family for a gift around birthday time.
What a great challenge. We all have purchased supplies we can’t live without but then are somewhat reluctant to play with. I’m going to be cutting my tiles this year with great paper I have. I want to try watercolors for background and dramatic effect in my tiles. I want to create a large design such as PP#19, I am going to participate in ATAD 2023, magnified fragments, and other challenges this coming year. It’s going to be very exciting. Thank you Chrissie for this inspiration. We will all be in it together ❤️
Thanks so much for your comment Beverly. Yes, you’re right, it is going to be an exciting year. I’m really looking forward to the challenge of buying no new art supplies this year. I think it will be wonderful to see how creative and resourceful we can be when something runs out. Your year sounds full and very creative, I look forward to seeing your tiles Beverly 😀💛