My art dreams
When I was a kid, I was a dreamer. I was curious and creative, as kids are. Everything felt possible. At various points in my childhood, I wanted to be a writer, a chef, an artist, an interior designer, a museum curator, a magazine editor. I probably gave my parents whiplash at the rate my interests changed course.
Somewhere along the way, I lost touch with the part of me that loved to dream. I got the idea that I didn’t have the imagination or raw talent to pursue any of my creative aspirations, and I had no idea how many different types of opportunities existed for artists. I no longer felt full of possibility like I did when I was younger.
In the past couple of years as I’ve reconnected with my creative side, I’ve also started to dream again. Granted, I’m a much more tentative dreamer now. As an adult, I have an obnoxiously loud inner critic who has a lot to say about my dreams, but I’m trying to teach myself to listen to the whispers of that curious, creative, imaginative, hopeful part of myself. I often worry that maybe it’s too late to have new dreams, but there are so many reminders that passion and playfulness have no age. If you’re looking for a delightful way to spend five minutes, just watch this video of Colette Maze, who has been playing the piano for over a century and released her first album at the age of 84!
I try to encourage this side of myself by putting my dreams down on paper, even if they’re just the tiniest inklings right now. It makes them feel less nebulous. It also makes me realize how many of them are actually within the realm of possibility. Not easy, mind you. But possible! I thought it would be fun to share 60 of my little dream seedlings. I’m sure this list will continue to grow (in fact I can already think of a few I would add as I get ready to post this), but it’s a start !
dream projects
Design a wine label.
Illustrate (and write?) a children’s book.
Design a menu for a restaurant or bar.
Design a book cover.
Illustrate an article in a magazine.
Design a set of holiday cards.
Design a set of valentines (specifically friend valentines!).
Launch an art blog.
Make a set of postcards for a place or places I love.
Design a set of journals.
Decorate our apartment with my art (in progress).
Paint a mural.
Start my own newsletter.
Illustrate a cookbook.
Design product packaging for a brand I love.
Illustrate and write my own guide for NYC.
Design a movie poster.
Finish my sketchbook for the Brooklyn Art Library (sadly BAL is now closed, but I could still finish my sketchbook!).
Fill an accordion-style sketchbook (inspired by Rick Barton).
Design a rubber stamp and have it made at the Rubber Stamp Store.
Design a set of fabrics (that my mom would be proud to use in one of her quilts) .
Storyboard or create concept art for an animated movie.
Design a stationary set.
Illustrate a collection of poems.
Make a calendar to sell.
Design a creativity planner or journal.
Create a series of short animations.
Create a comic series inspired by our cat Boo.
Design wedding invitations for a friend or family member’s wedding.
Design programs for an event or a museum.
Illustrate a travel book.
Design a clothing collection.
Complete a 100 Day Project.
Create a series based on my favorite movie scenes.
Create a series of illustrated profiles of ice cream shops and bookstores in New York.
Take a photo or video every day for a year.
dream experiences
Complete an art residency program somewhere beautiful (I’m feeling Ireland and Kauai at the moment!).
Participate in an art fair.
Open my own art studio or art print shop.
Have my art sold at local shops.
Teach a workshop.
Be a part of a creative community.
Sell art prints online.
Start a Patreon.
Attend an art retreat.
Host an art retreat.
Participate in a community service project using my artistic skills.
Host art date meetups (plein air painting in the park, museums, neighborhood explorations, gardens, etc.)
things to try/skills to learn
Try risograph printing.
Take a dance class.
Learn to paint in Photoshop and Procreate.
Take an intro pottery class series.
Try block printing.
Become comfortable drawing people (in progress).
Learn how to film videos.
Learn how to embroider. (see my first project here!)
Learn how to handletter.
Try needlepoint.
Learn how to play a new instrument or relearn how to play piano or flute.
Try figure modeling (!).
That’s enough to keep me busy for a while! Now it’s your turn! I encourage you to set a timer and let yourself write freely about your dreams. It’s okay if they don’t come to you immediately. Dreaming takes practice :) They don’t have to be art-related either! Just give your dreams a home on the page. You might be surprised to see what happens next!
Posted July 26, 2022
