I’ve been thinking about doing something extreme, as my BIG New Years Resolution for 2021.

I have been toying with the idea of spending absolutely no money on art supplies for the duration of 2021, for a few reasons.

See all those totes and bins? Art Supplies.

A) I have tons and tons of art supplies. I don’t really need to be buying anything except tattoo supplies, and substrate to draw and paint on- and I think I could go a full year without buying anything.

B)I am solidly financially drained from the last two years- (like everyone else) with getting hit by the Semi in June of 2019 (which drained my $15,000 of art saving- which if you’re another emerging artist- you know what level of security my $15,000 in the bank meant to me.) and then just as I got back to being able to physically work at my AWESOME TATTOO ARTIST JOB… Covid-19 happened.

C) I am deeply curious to see what would happen in a year if I just didn’t spend any money on art supplies. What pieces will I make, what would I come up with, in regards to things like that?

Obviously, there will have to be two massive exceptions:

1. I will be allowed to buy any materials/supplies I need that DIRECTLY relate to tattoos, and the tattooing process. I am toying with the idea of not allowing myself to buy art related parts of tattoo supplies- such as no red pencils, or drawing paper or tracing paper, etc. I have a solid amount of that stuff- but is it enough for a year? I don’t actually know.

I, of course, have to pay my bills this year. That includes art bills, my website hosting, my email, my tattoo licensing, my business license, my cell phone and iPad servicing, and all my regular human bills.

2. I am GOING to be doing a snail mail project called “Creativity, delivered. 2021” where I mail people I love creatively inspiring letters once a month for the year. So, postage, packaging, etc. is required to do this project. You can sign up for the project for $5 a month, here by clicking on my Patreon Link. At any point during 2021, you are welcome to join the project. You can read more about the project, here: Creativity, Delivered. Snail Mail Project of 2021.

And postage and package for any of my art that sells this year will have to be included in that exception, as well. You can see the type of art I make here in my cute little witchy art shop.

Other than those specific exceptions, though...no spending any money on art supplies at all.
Currently, I spend between $25-500 a month on art supplies. Some of my purchases are extremely necessary, and others are straight up comfort buys.

I really want to do this- because I want to do a deep, personal excavation and purge. Usually, if I make a ton of art, while coming from a resourceful mindset, is the place where I find my genuine joy and pleasure again.

And I need joy and pleasure so deeply this year. I need it. Parts of me have died off, and I don’t want to feel this shattered anymore.

I also want to prove to myself that not only do I already have EVERYTHING I need for an entire year of art making. I am well cared for, and I have the abundance to share what I have with my community, who is my genuine universe.
I am most worried about sourcing substrates/surfaces to create on- so I went thru all my supplies and I have, at minimum, sketchbooks to fill up. :)
3. I wonder what’s going to happen. I think I am going to use this specific theme for my weekly art videos that I update on Monday’s.
What do you think? Do you have any suggestions?
Have you ever tried anything like this before?
I would love to hear about other people’s experiences in reguards to a project like this!