I started my morning reading Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird and then scribbled in my journal. Though exhausted, I wrote something and went straight into this too‑quick sketch of it. Some days are speedier than others—and sometimes uglier—but today feels closer to something.
From my journal:
I am wobbly this morning as I have been all week. The 100 Day project, I am sure, is part of my wobbling, along with this endless, wet winter. Usually I choose something easier:
1. A set of materials (that also look great in photographs!)
2. A small, mostly consistent scale or journal to work in
3. I draw or write something from my days which always reveal surprises!
This year:
1. I have no set materials
2. No fixed scale
3. Self-portrait is the only thing, and anything goes — it doesn’t even have to be me! But also it is me — for 100 days.
It is in this openness, this room without walls, that I wobble. I didn’t set out to torment myself. I intended this to be challenging and here I am. A rhythm must rise up. Something will shake out. I think of those antique brass stacking sieves that I always wanted for sifting dirt for paint and other treasures. I always expect magic in the ongoingness.
Today is Day 5. I made a Paper Doll Me in an Antique Brass Sieve Stack.
For more on #the100dayproject, visit Lindsay Jean Thomson Substack!
Dear Margaux,
In between texting you, I'm also writing to you on here. It's 2026, we're meant to be absolutely bombarded. I love your self portraits and the conversations we've been having about self/making/making the self, re-making the self. And I'm especially grateful to have you to encourage me to continue the 100 Day Project, even though I've never been able to keep going, even though I fight against it every day. Maybe this year will be different.
Something about these makings in this series so far really do something for me :)