Today we’re checking in with the Alexandria Art Therapy team to see how their projects are going. You can read more about Adele Stuckey and Dot Dannenberg’s project beginnings here, or follow them as they go @adelestuckey and @dotdberg.

HOW’S IT GOING? WHAT DAY ARE YOU ON? 

ADELE: I’ve created six sessions of 10 minute drawings since beginning the project. 

DOT: I set my project to be only 27 days long, and now I’ve finished. Hooray!

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR FAVORITE “DAY” SO FAR? 

ADELE: So far, I have enjoyed the patterns from day 4 the most. I can stretch my creativity the most when I’m layering multiple patterns in one piece. 

DOT: Day #27, the last day of my project, ended up being my favorite–not because I was happy to be done, but because I really enjoyed taking those photos. My daughter and I were waiting for my sister outside of Big Wheel Bikes, and the birds were very interested in my daughter’s donut crumbs. The brightness of the yellow brick wall and the experience of being so close to the curious birds was a real delight. 

WHAT’S BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE? 

ADELE: Remembering to create is the most challenging! As usual, I find it most helpful when I have the materials ready to go. At the office, that means that I have small pieces of paper out on the table and a collection of pens at arms reach. I have found that I enjoy creating time lapse videos of my drawing process, and setting that up has become a barrier at times. So, I do my best to focus on the process for myself and capture what I need to share with others afterwards– a still photo is perfectly okay. 

DOT: My biggest challenge through this project was being okay with posting things that I didn’t think were perfect. I had to let go of my ideas about curating my Instagram (I know) and accept that by posting every day, I’d be sharing some things that were less polished. Overall, it did end up being a good representation of what it felt like to live through the end of this winter. There’s a slowness in that time of year, and it shows up in the photos. My daughter and her friends picking weeds. My daughter kicking her feet in the air, wearing pajamas. Multiple photos of us killing time at the public library. 

WHAT’S NEXT?

ADELE: Like most years, I’ll see what comes of the project as it continues. I’ve noticed that I need more than 5 minutes to create without rushing but less than 10 minutes to feel like the process is complete. Continuing to invite flexibility in the experience will be helpful. Perhaps it’s an unwritten title change to 20ish Days of Ten Minute (Or Less) Tangles. 

DOT: I’m going back to my usual way of engaging with photography–taking photos all the time, but only sharing them when I feel like it. I think the next thing I need to do, creatively, is spend some time taking in–visit some museums, see some new art. After a creative exhale, it’s time to breathe in.

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