DAY 1: YOUR SINGLE TULIP

Welcome to Day 1.

I’m so happy you said yes and made it here. Let’s celebrate your commitment to tapping into your own creativity, joy and wellbeing!

My hope for you is that this challenge is to help you establish a painting practice that will nurture you, inspire and connect you to your own creativity.

It’s that you’ll rediscover the quiet joy of making time for your creativity.

Whether you’ve been painting for years or you’re picking up a brush for the very first time, this practice is here to meet you exactly where you are.

Each day is an invitation to slow down, notice, and create without the pressure of perfection.

Let’s begin.

Before You Begin:

A few gentle reminders before we start.

  1. If you can, try painting around the same time each day. A simple routine makes it easier to return to your creative practice, but don’t worry if your schedule changes.
  2. Turn off notifications on your phone while you paint so you can enjoy a few uninterrupted moments of creativity.
  3. Find a quiet corner where you can spend about 20 minutes creating. You’re always welcome to paint longer if inspiration takes over.
  4. If one day’s subject doesn’t resonate with you, simply choose a favorite from another day instead. The goal is to keep creating.
  5. If you miss a day, that’s okay. Pick up where you left off. This is about progress, not perfection, it’s about returning to your creativity, one painting at a time.

LET’S START DAY 1 WITH A SINGLE TULIP

I painted the original painting more than a decade ago as a source of strength. To me, this happy tulip is the truest form of unwavering happiness and confidence. I hope this subject inspires you to commit to your challenge and the days ahead.

Today isn’t really about painting a tulip. It’s about beginning. It’s about showing yourself that your creativity deserves a place in your life. I hope this first painting becomes a gentle reminder that you’ve made time for yourself today.

Me, Myself and I - original front

The Painting Practice

Remember to turn off your phone notifications before you start.

  1. Sketch a rectangle measuring either 4×5 or 8×10 inches (10x12cm 20x25cm) on your canvas paper.
  2. While looking at the reference photos as your inspiration, do a simple outline of the flower on your paper. Just a rough sketch will do.
    • Start with the stem.
    • Now move on to the petals. Starting at the top left, draw the left petal. Starting at the top right, draw the right petal. Then draw the front and back petal at the top.
    • Finally sketch the leaves.
  3. Choose any colors that speak to you today. I love this color combination, so much so that this painting became a study for a larger piece that later hung in a favorite gallery and toured with me on the US East Coast, I want you to make this your own.
  4. If you already painted this as part of the free challenge last week, I invite you to choose another set of colors completely. Pick colors you normally shy away from. Maybe they feel ‘too loud’ or ‘a bit boring’. Paint with those colors today as your challenge to tap into your creative energy.
  5. Grab some water and your brushes, and don’t forget a towel to clean off your wet brush. If you’ve never painted before, imagine you’re painting alongside a curious child. Begin with one color, then another. Explore. Play. There is no right or wrong here. Clean your brush before each new blend. Add some darker colors to create depth and add white or lighter colors for some added definition.
  6. Now, set a gentle timer for 20 minutes and simply enjoy the process. The goal isn’t to finish a masterpiece. It’s to reconnect with the simple joy of creating. If setting a timer is making you feel stressed, don’t set one. The 20 minutes is a way to focus on play, not creating a finished piece. The goal is to tap into creative joy for a few minutes that is doable for everyone at any skill level.
  7. Don’t forget to sign your art work. Claim your creativity and honor your journey of showing up for yourself.

If you feel called to continue painting past 20 minutes, please do so and let us know when you share it.

Share Your Creation:

Take a photo of today’s painting and share it with your community. I’d love for us to celebrate this first step with you.

When you share, I’d love to hear:

  • How did today’s painting make you feel?
  • What colors did you choose, and why?
  • What surprised you most as you painted?

Remember, this isn’t about creating a perfect painting. It’s about making space for your creativity. And today, you did.