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Back in 2015 I learned about the 100 Days Projects.
"Complete the same creative task each day for 100 days."
In 2016 I thought I would give it a go - no real rules other than create for 100 days consecutively - with the idea that consistency and repetition developed your skills. Although I didn't know where it would go, I decided to video myself crocheting and use that video as the subject of the body of work that I was about to produce. It became obsessive and regardless of what other commitments I had each day - I ensured I completed my 100 day task. The result was a body of work that I could not have imagined - from figurative drawings to large abstract paintings. What an experience and delight to have produced a substantial body of work!
In 2017 I thought I would give it another go. With more space constraints this time and increasing work commitments I made the decision to keep it managable. Even though I still was not sure how it would go, I settled on A2 pen drawings - beginning with one circle and each day increasing until I drew 100 circles on day 100! The geometric drawings I ended up with, became more intricate as the days went on. Another (if completely different) body of work.
Life then took over for quite a few years....
In 2022 I talked to a close friend in England about 100 days projects and suggested he could do something similar after he had purchased a camera. His reaction was - "Well what are you going to do?" Good question! During a long haul flight I decided yes I should try another project. Again work constraints made me ensure the project I undertook was manageable. This time I grabbed an A4 sketchbook and decided to go back to where I remember my art roots were ( in High School) - complete a still life drawing every day. This was easy to acheive. I just grabbed an object from around my home to draw each day. Some themes did appear as I pondered what to draw next (ie. shoes, hats, kitchen things etc.) I kept it to simply pencil and line drawings - concentrating on the accuracy of the representation.
This is where it got exciting - having planned a year off work in 2023, it was my 2022 project that triggered me to set up a studio and see what would happen in between travels.
After my 2017 project I wondered what the geometric drawings would look like on beautifully smooth wood and wondered if it would be possible to burn them in. So in 2023 I purchased my first poker work tool and started burning!
I then gave up full time work to pursue being a professional artist...
In 2024 I began working trowards a solo exhibition of pyrography work. While working on this I decided to complete the 100 Days Project once more. One 10cm sq pyrography each day. It was a mammoth task while preparing an exhibition - but I managaed it and day 1 - 60 were ready for the opening and formed a huge part of the show. This one became quite mechanical and little thought was put into the forest image I chose each day. Once I had completed the project I could see how far I had come - repeating various types of foliage and developing my burn marks. These 100 pieces have continued to inform my ongoing pyrography work - often sitting down to start a new composition and wondering how on earth I can draw various parts - I then reflect on my 100 day project and realise all that work gave me the skills to be the artist that I am today.
AND NOW, 2026 I am planning my 5th 100 day project. Like all the others this will be different again, but I am intentionally choosing a creative task that will hopefully continue to inform my pyrography journey and skills in drawing. Join me on instagram: @jodie_art_taupo on 18th October 2026, when I will create my first day.