Day 29: rewards 🏆
+ our guest contributor this week, Carolyn Yoo
Hello my artist companions!
My name is
and I’m an artist and illustrator. I’m also the writer behind SEE YOU, a weekly creative self-discovery newsletter to nurture your art practice.I’m excited to chat with you this week on the theme of rewards! 🏆 You’ve been hard at work over these past few weeks. Now is a great time to think about how you can sustain yourself for the long haul through encouragement and little pick me ups.
I used to deny that rewards could be a valid part of my practice. I was under the fantasy that intrinsic motivation alone would keep my resistance at bay. But there would always come a point after showing up day after day that I would grow tired of my project. I would start making excuses. I would complete my daily deadlines, as if the tasks were homework. Everything felt SERIOUS and without joy.
Rewards are a useful tool to get yourself out of a rut. When you can’t seem to remember why you started, the perfect solo artist date or a freshly opened art supply might serve as a beautiful reminder.
Art by Carolyn Yoo
This week we’ll dive into various ways you can reward yourself. In the meantime, let’s start by setting some milestones for when we want to give ourselves rewards.
Should you indulge in a little chocolate after completing your art each day?
Would a weekly solo nature walk be the perfect reward?
Or perhaps commemorating the halfway point of your project with a big purchase or a showcase with friends is more your style?
Whichever rewards you choose, these milestones help break down the 100 days into more manageable dates that you can anticipate.
As we dive in this week, remember that rewarding yourself is not a frivolous indulgence. Rewards can be essential ways to stay motivated, inspired, and committed to our practice and project.
What rewards will you choose to sustain your art making?
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A note from Lindsay: I’m thrilled to have Carolyn take the mic this week! When she suggested the theme of rewards, I knew she’d be a good fit. I love encouraging people to find ways to feel good, in their creative practice and otherwise. In addition to her newsletter, you can follow her wonderful art and musings here on Instagram @caromakes. Bonus prompt: see Carolyn’s manifesto here for inspiration to create your own.
 | A guest post by
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I've been coming to this practice a little differently. The practice itself is the reward. It is gratifying, and sustaining, and I'm trusting that I can even make something from mistakes. It's becoming very satisfying and I look forward to doing it, and creating something syrprising each day
For various reasons I have not been in my art studio for 2 weeks. I was already behind because I have learned that I work better in batches on my mini mosaics rather than daily. And I am OK with completing 100 in 100 days, even if I have to pull a few all-nighters to get there (because I always say, if it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done!) But yesterday I did a pop up art demo at the Gallery I am part of. I offered people the chance to come down and talk design process. I gave them some creative control: they could pick a palette or a material and I would work on a mini mosaic right in front of them. I went an hour longer than planned. They all got their name in a drawing to win win their choice if the 100 at the end of the 100 days. I got 6 made and generated a lot of interest in my social posts which will be good when I want to frame and display them for sale. Some even wanted to make their own in a class, which is another opportunity!
Making the creating a communal act was a great reward and a spur for me!