Join The Inchie Challenge 2022!
Dear Wonderful, Creative You:
This is one of my favorite times of year – The Inchie Challenge! Watch this video to learn why + how we do The Inchie Challenge.
Join the Inchie Challenge Here: ‘
(You could win a free copy of my book Draw Yourself Calm!)
I made this fun and free challenge to get you creating! When you join, you’ll be taken to my prep class, A Little Art Every Day. I’ll show you how to prep your inchies and materials, walk you through coming up with ideas for inchies, and make an inchie together to get your creative engine running.
Here’s a peek into my inchie prep:
I love prepping little squares. Some are blank, and some have some paint or marks already. Then, when I’m ready to make a little art, my squares are ready for me to explore mark making or drawings.
Sometimes I’ll make inchies with paint splotches so I have a starting point when I’m ready to create.
During the challenge, September 6 – 16th, I’ll send you an email with a written word prompt each day. You’ll use this word as inspiration to create your inchie. Don’t worry though, if you feel like you need help coming up with ideas, that’s what my free prep class, A Little Art Every Day is for.
You can sign up for the challenge now, I’ll lead you step by step in my prep class, and you’ll already be making art more art by the time the challenge rolls around September 6th. It’s free, it’s fun, and I made it for you! When you share your work online, folks in the US and UK also have a chance to win a free copy of my book, Draw Yourself Calm!
Making Inchie Magic
Once you make some inchies and some painted marks in your art journal, you can put them together for a little art journal magic.
Here’s how to participate:
What are your goals for the Inchie Challenge? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
Creatively Yours,
Amy
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Few goals are involved here – to create more and I am sure that is what will happened as I’ve noticed following the <slow drawing< sessions every week. I now have a good collection of small watercolours/drawings. Also, rekindling with the habit of drawing everyday; starting with the inchies will help tremendously.
Hi Marie: Oh yes, I think a daily creation habit is an excellent goal and the inchies should spur you on your way! Cheers!
I completed the #100 Days of Art Challenge using ATC cards and loved doing it. I felt a bit lost when the event came to an end. This is a similar but equally challenging project and, since I love working small, I know I will have fun doing it. I, too, have pre-ordered your book. Looking forward to pushing the boundaries!
Sounds like you are set up to keep going! And it also sounds like you might do well with setting your own challenges? xo
Hi, are we able to get access to the “Inchie Challege” even though it has already happened? I love the sound of that!
Thank you!
Kay Richardson
HI Kay:
I’m sorry the challenge is expired now, but I have several resources about working small – first, all my slow drawing classes are in small format. You will find the replay page here.
Also, i have a great video here, and a lot of my classes build on this idea, including Fluid Art, BIG ART, and The Litlte Book of Wonder. You might really enjoy a prompt based class – The SImplest Thing Journal.
I hope this helps
I might bend the rules on this one a little bit. I’m wanting to start sending out little “mini-care-packages” which, among other things, contain little (flat, not folded) encouragement cards in ATC or business card size. So, while I originally was thinking to do literal inchies here, I think I may take the opportunity to make some of these cards. They’re a little bigger than twinchies, but still serve the purpose, I think, of focusing small.
I LOVE what you are doing Rachel, and that you are bending the rules to make it your own. It’s exactly what I hope folks will do to keep their art practices humming along. Thanks for spreading the love. xo
I ordered your Book and can hardly wait to get it. I have to wait until September.
AH! September 6 is coming! XO
I did the Inchie Challenge last year and enjoyed it a lot. I hope by doing it again this year I can make it a regular creative springboard where I create something every day and not fall into my “stuck” place where I don’t create for long periods of time. It might help me not to get blocked since it is simple and easy to do.
HI Linda: This is such a good goal. My invitation is for you to keep a page in your journal where you jot a running list of things that help you in the time of the challenge to create. This list will help you figure out what you need to build into your regular practice to keep you going. xo
I’ve preordered the book and can’t wait until I receive it on 9/6. I’m looking forward to the Inchie Challenge! The Slow Drawing Classes help relieve anxiety.
HI Amy: Ooh, I’m so excited for you to get the book and for the challenge too! Let’s create! xo
I am new to your classes and techniques but look forward to learn from you and everyone in the class!!
So joined the Inchie Marathon on Sept 6 th and will be ordering your book soon!! Everyone is so talented!! I hope I can slow down and enjoy!!
Hi Nanci! Welcome to Mindful Art Studio! I want to assure you that like so many other students, you absolutely can do this! My approach is about embracing the process, and using the focus on process to drive your progress forward. It’s a fun loving, mistake-embracing process, but funny enough, it leads to the fastest progress in my experience.
XO
Canadian here…. September is my favorite time of the year, it feels like a new beginning, a new time to learn something new. This is my second time around with the inchie challenge and I am looking forward to it!
HI Beverly – thanks for joining us again! I love how you frame September. Can’t wait to make a little art together! xo
I participated in your retreat with the Handmade Book Club. I really enjoyed your approach and learned so much during our time together. I ordered your book, can’t wait to receive it and so looking forward to learning more from you. I have been pretty good at doing something creative everyday, even if it is only to research for my next project and hope this will be one more tool for my creative pursuits.
Thank you for doing this!
I’m so happy you enjoyed the retreat. It was a wonderful experience, and I’m thrilled that my approach is speaking to you. This is going to be fun! xo
Buongiorno. Ho scoperto la tua pagina e il tuo sito per caso. Mi piacerebbe tanto riuscire a seguire un tuo corso. Pensi che si potrebbe trovare uno stratagemma o potresti organizzare qualcosa in differita con traduzione? Grazie!
Buongiorno Anna! I’m sorry I don’t have translations. Wish you the best.
Anna Giardinelli’s comment translates as
Good morning. I discovered your page and your site by accident. I would love to be able to take your course. Do you think you could find a ruse or could you organize something deferred with translation? Thank you!
Google has a free translation facility.
HI Lynne: I’m a one woman show here, so unfortunately I cannot do translations – but Google Translate is a beautiful thing. And each prompt is just one word.
Cheers
I really enjoyed the (tw)inchie challenge last year. There’s something that feels very nice about the collective creativity. Seeing how other people go in completely different directions with the same prompt sparks new ideas.
This year I am going to try if 1.5 inch squares work for me. If they do it takes a lot of work out of cutting, and as a bonus also fits better into the little box I am using, but they do look small!
HI Anna: That’s so cute! A question – are you using a paper cutter to do the squares? I held out on buying one for a long time – but I use it constantly, and making squares is now a cinch. Cheers and can’t wait to see what you make! xo
I had a paper cutter, but still defaulted to metal ruler and knife, so I gave it away the last time we moved. But one of my metal rulers is 1.5 inches wide, so I just need to line it up with the edge and cut, no measuring needed. I just cut up 58 squares in a couple of minutes, so definitely quicker than 2-inch squares.
PS I have your book and am thoroughly enjoying it. :o)
Oh, I’m so very happy to hear it! xo
Hello from Ottawa, Canada. This will be my first time participating and looking forward to it! Too bad the book contest is only open to US and UK residents.
Yay – so glad to have you! I know, I wish I could offer the books to folks all over, but they are from the US and UK publishers. It will be super fun either way! xo
Hi Amy!
I just did my first two inchies from the A Little Art Everyday prep class! Super fun! Looking forward to the challenge, but I feel like I’m already off and running.
I just wanted to drop a word of appreciation for the generous gift of your time and ideas in support of those of us that yearn to create more regularly and will less frustration.
With much gratitude….
HI Jenny: I’m so happy that you are already happily creating. It brings me a lot of joy. And thank you for the kind words. They mean a lot.
Cheers
My goal is to get back to making more art. I have slowed down tremendously since COVID began, mostly. because in person classes for 55+ have not started back yet. With the current atmosphere (political and medical) I have not felt inspired as much. I have always enjoyed your Slow Drawing Parties and classes I have taken. But I never have taken the inchie challenges before. So I am excited to start. I have decided that my paper divides easier into 3×2 inch rectangles easier and I also many times use unlined index cards cause that size works well in my art journaling. So, Big Goals are 1) more art again and 2) to find the joy in my art again 3) to stretch as an artist in new ways. 4) part of better self care practices. Thank you so much for what you do.
My sister GRETTA who has become a dedicated artist has inspired me to keep on painting though I find I’m not consistent. So I’m a little late but I’m going to give your course a try!
You’ve got this Kathleen! xo
Well, I actually did the first day – not sure where to post, but I am going to be loving this challenge 🙂 Thanks Amy.
HI Zoie: Oh, it’s a good point! I should put the graphic in this post. Thank you! There’s instructions on your class page and in the email you got today. Post on Instagram with #drawyourselfcalm and #mindfulartstudio or post on my daily Inchie Challenge post on FB.
SO glad you are participating!
Hi Amy, great first day! Is there a link to the FB page? I wanted to post today’s and I think I found it, but it only lets you follow, not post. I didn’t see a button to join group…?
HI Diane: Here’s posting instructions:
Posting:
Instagram feed or stories
or Facebook feed
or Mindful Art group on Facebook
Tag @amymaricle and use #drawyourselfcalm #inchiechallenge and #mindfulartstudio
And the FB group is: Mindful Art
Cheers!
Thanks Amy, I was at the studio FB page! Just asked to join!
I don’t see where to post. I had mine all ready to put out there yesterday but failed to find where to do that.
I know I saw it somewhere in your emails but it’s not coming up for me.
HI Jan:
Sure, I’m happy to help. It’s at the bottom of your email. Here’s the instructions:
Posting:
Instagram feed or stories
or Facebook feed
or Mindful Art group on Facebook
Tag @amymaricle and use #drawyourselfcalm #inchiechallenge and #mindfulartstudio