The 100 Day Project - 100 days of Biro

Hi there. How Are you?

It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the practice of making on a regular basis. There’s been lots of reasons why I haven’t been making, but I decided there was no more time for excuses, I just had to give myself a creative push. 

On January 31, I started The 100 Day Project. In this global challenge, thousands of people all around the world commit to 100 days of creating.

Despite my worries about taking this on, I decided to just get started. No judgement. No pressure. Just intuitive making. 

These 4”x4” little cuties serve as the backdrops for my ballpoint pen drawings.

These 4”x4” little cuties serve as the backdrops for my ballpoint pen drawings.

The Plan

I cut up 25 or so 4" squares of mixed media paper and got to work making marks with acrylic ink. These little cuties serve as backdrops for my ballpoint pen drawings. I'll aim for one a day for 100 days. ⁠I’ve been using Amsterdam acrylic inks by Royal Talens. It works perfectly for my purposes as it’s a little transparent and can easily be drawn on top of with my trusty ballpoint.

My initial 4 drawings for The 100 Day project.

My initial 4 drawings for The 100 Day project.

I’ve already had my ups and downs…

I’m 43 days into the challenge and I’m learning. Somedays these little drawings just pour out of me. Other days, it’s a slog and I’m ready to throw in the towel and give up. But, I haven’t. 

I’m keeping at it. I’m giving myself permission to make some bad art. I’m giving myself permission to experiment and grow with each tiny drawing.

Day 6 & 7 of my 100 Days of Biro drawings for The 100 Day Project.

Day 6 & 7 of my 100 Days of Biro drawings for The 100 Day Project.

Day 5 & 8 of The 100 Day project.

Day 5 & 8 of The 100 Day project.

See it all on the “Gram”

I’ve been documenting all of my drawings in this series on Instagram. You can see all of the pieces I’ve make so far under the #100DaysOfBiro hashtag. I share openly there about my drawing struggles and my wins.

I’m working on uploading all of my drawings here on my website as well. Stay tuned.

That’s all for now.

My goal is to get back to regular blogging. I miss it!

Ciao, Jen

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Spring 2020 Sketchbook Tour

Hi there. How are you?

When the “Stay at Home” order began in mid-March, I had grand plans. Working from home was going to give me so much time to work on my art and business. I was cooking up new products, a new logo, and maybe even a new e-course.

That grand plan was not to be.

This 3 month quarantine was not a break for me.

It kicked my ass.

Sure, there are some perks. I can roll out of bed and get straight to work in my pajamas. I can take a walk mid-day and then wear my gym clothes all day everyday. I can flex my hours, working 10 hours one day and 6 the next. And I still have a job! No complaints about that.

But…

Even though the library has been closed, I've been working harder from home than I usually do at work. There’s a lot of moving pieces and people that still need my attention.

When I’m done with library work, I’m spent. On the weekends, I’m recovering and uninspired.

On top of that, my divorce was finalized during this stretch, and I've been working through all of the emotion that comes with the end of a relationship. ⁠

Even though I wasn’t showing up, you still were.

I’ve been selling e-courses, tea towels, and postcards like crazy during my studio shutdown. Thank you for that! It’s so nice to know that my hard work is appreciated, even during my creative hiatus.

This week, I suddenly felt a shift.

It’s time for me to work for myself again. I'm feeling good and whole and I'm ready to dive into the next chapter of my small business. Enough of this working for “the man!” (Well, I’m still working for the man, but you get what I mean, right?)

It’s currently Memorial Day weekend and I have no plans, other than to be home and work. I’ve got a new products to design, drawings to complete and updates to make.

My first priority was to check in with my creative community.

So here goes.

Though art has been on the back burner, I have been “couch drawing” from time to time during this quarantine. With the exception of the first drawing below I’ve been working in my tiny 3.5” x 5.5” Moleskine sketchbook.

* HEADS UP: As an Amazon Influencer, I earn a small commission when you purchase the through the links in this post. It's a small way to support the work I do without any cost to you. (Thank you!)

Here’s 5 months worth of drawing:

A drawing a month isn’t so bad I guess.

Sketchbook drawings from January 2020, when the world was still somewhat normal.

Sketchbook drawings from January 2020, when the world was still somewhat normal.

Can’t get enough Parker

I’m still really smitten with my Parker pen. I prefer it above any other pen. Thus, I’ve been mainly working in blue and black. Maybe someday Parker will produce refills in other colors. Until then, you’ll probably see me work in black and blue a lot. (Read my review of the Parker Jotter HERE.)

Early pandemic drawings.

Early pandemic drawings.

My lone April sketch in emerald green.

My lone April sketch in emerald green.

UK Bic Crystals are awesome!

This lovely emerald green is part of a set of Bic Crystals I purchased from the UK. Fair warning, you’re going to pay more in shipping than you will for the pens, but they’re worth it! The range of colors in this set is fantastic.

I worked on this drawing through most of the month of May. Not whole lot of drawing happened in this quarantine.

I worked on this drawing through most of the month of May. Not whole lot of drawing happened in this quarantine.

I started this drawing all in violet. When I finished, it just wasn’t doing it for me, so I added the blue to give it more dimension and variety. I could take that blue further, but now I'm tired of this one. A month is a long time to work on one drawing. ⁠

I do hope that it won’t be another month before I update this blog. I have some ideas brewing, and I really hope I can keep up the momentum I’ve built up over this creative long weekend.

So now, I’d love to hear from you…

Has the quarantine been a creative or a quiet time for you?

Do tell! Leave me a comment below or drop me a line.

That’s all for now.

Ciao, Jen


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Ballpoint E-Course Giveaway!

Hi there. How are you?

Where do I begin? What a time we are living in. So much has changed in the last 2 weeks. On March 11, I was in Madison seeing The Revivalists in concert. By the weekend, events were being cancelled left and right. And now, we’re staying home indefinitely. Wow.

As the library is closed, I am currently on a “paid vacation.” I’m healthy and have a safe place to spend my time with plenty of food and toilet paper. (Ha!) The Coronavirus pandemic has hit so many people so hard, so I’m trying to count my blessings daily and think of ways I can help.

With so many people at home looking for something to do, I decided this was the perfect time for a giveaway! It’s a small way for me to help out during uncertain times.

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Jen & Ink E-Course Giveway!

I’m giving away my Jen & Ink Ballpoint Bundle to three lucky individuals. Winners will receive access to the Jen & Ink Ballpoint E-Course, the Jen & Ink in Color course and the private Jen & Ink student Facebook group.

giveaway has ended and winners have been notified.

Thanks to all who participated!

That’s all for now. Stay safe and healthy.

Ciao, Jen