Bex Hall

Exploring Creativity

Bex Hall > someone who inspires me

someone who inspires me

A brief Q&A with the host of Squareathon

Melissa Doty

Even with her busy schedule, Melissa Doty took time to answer a few questions about why she loves hosting the Squareathon challenge and she offers a few words of wisdom as well. Thank you @melissadoty.art for taking the time to share with us.

This is the 6th Squareathon Art Challenge Melissa Doty has hosted on Instagram since 2018. Squareathon began as something relaxed and laid back and to this day, it’s touted as Instagram’s most chill art challenge.

When I asked Melissa why she chose this format, she says, “I went with squares because I was already kinda known for being the “tiny squares lady.” So I wanted to capitalize on any reputation I already had, but I also feel most comfy with a square format.”

Squares by Mel Doty

Next I asked if she had any advice for artist’s about dealing with resistance and facing a blank canvas. She offers, “If I truly don’t know what to do, I will switch to something innocuous like making paint swatches which distracts me enough that usually I get the urge or inclination to paint SOMETHING.”

She goes on to say about being stuck, “If I’ve been trying to do a particular project or piece and I’m not succeeding, I usually set it aside and switch mediums completely. Like a palate cleanser!”

For battling the inner critic, she shared a recent post and comment: I spent five hours painting today with little success. This does not make me an unsuccessful painter. It just makes me a painter.

Quote by Mel

“And then if I have a real shit day, this is what I tell myself. I mean, EVERYONE has bad days at work.” 😃

Last, I asked what lights her up most about hosting this challenge and she responds, “My favorite thing is the community and how people make new friends, inspire and encourage each other! I’ve also tried to cultivate a super chill, accepting vibe, so I love it when folks break the rules, take days off, etc., whatever it takes to soften any resistance to creating! I also love that absolute beginners join and just put it all out there. It’s a joy to watch!”

Mel’s Squareathon Chill Art Challenge

What’s a phenology wheel and do I really need one?

Last year I kept noticing what are called phenology wheels pop up in my social media feeds. I learned they’re simply a visual representation of what is happening month by month in the natural world around you.

Every one of them is beautiful but I particularly enjoyed the one fellow artist, Rebecca Morris created. I watched it from its stark beginning to the end when it became what you see here. A beautiful and glorious representation of flora and fauna in her beloved State of California.

She is someone who inspires me. You can follow her on Instagram and be inspired too.

“Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience.”

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fighting with my desire to have a completed project right now, I was hesitant to show you how bare the page, but here it is. Imperfect and incomplete. That’s the thing with a year long project. It takes a year to get it done. And you have to start somewhere.

One of the aspects of a phenology wheel that appeals to me is the flexibility. You can track and record whatever you want. I’ve been curious about lunar cycles so I’m including that in my wheel. I started with one for the entire year in the middle of the journal then opted to add monthly ones too.

I’m also going to incorporate pages dedicated to nature. Whatever captures my interest and want to learn more about.

Last year I grew a garden outdoors in the ground and encountered so much I didn’t know or understand. I learned a lot but didn’t record it and this year I wish I had. So that’s part of what’s keeping me motivated to do it this year.

I’ll be glad I did.

And for you, dear reader, it’s not too late. Find a journal (or buy a new one) that you love. Skip the first few pages (if you need to overcome that fear of messing up a new book) and draw a circle. You can search online for a template to trace or copy. Or just free hand draw or use a ruler.

And once a month or once a day, add to it. A little entry every day leads to a big picture in the end.

I bet you’ll be glad you did. Onward!