Author: Alison Hazel   –   Published April 2026

This article is about living a creative life and making art but where you don’t have to go overboard to be creative. If you start working with art cards it can be a way to add more to your daily art practice. 🎨 Alison

Freedom

But is it, Art?

Can I call these small cards art or artworks?

Yes, I think I can.

Someone on one of my YouTube videos said they think I am bold to call my doodles, read scribbles, “artworks” well maybe so.

Finish in One Day

I believe that there is something potent about completing a piece of art in one sitting.

When I begin to make an art card, I know I don’t have to carry it into tomorrow.

There is no pressure to make it perfect or turn it into something “important.”

It just needs to be finished.

That simple boundary of one day, one card removes a surprising amount of resistance.

We know what resistance can do to hobby artists and so does Steven Pressfield in his great modest book The War of Art.

So instead of me wondering to myself, “Is this good enough?”

I started considering the question, “What can I explore today?”

Small Format, Big Impact

Approach

Working small has changed the way I approach creativity.

An art card is manageable. It invites experimentation. It feels safe to try something new because the time investment is low.

If something doesn’t work, I haven’t lost days or weeks and really, I’ve just learned something.

Over time, these small pieces begin to add up.

One card becomes five.

Five become a series.

And suddenly, there’s a body of work where there used to be hesitation.

Recent Collections

Brain Plasticity

They say that as you get older you need to use your brain, so it remains plasticity.

Doing things like crosswords, Wordle, taking a class or some other new learning all benefit your cognition as the years go by.

Arabic Alphabet

To this end I started learning the Arabic language last year.

What initially interested me was the calligraphy contained within the scripts which can be used artistically as well.

I’m very much at the beginning of this learning journey and I’ll probably still be going strong in ten years’ time. It’s not something that I’m desperate to do, or master, but I practice my Arabic at least once a week.

I created some cards, flash cards, art cards to help me learn and they are sized at 94mm x 140mm (3 ¾” x 5 ½”).

There are 28 characters in the alphabet, and I made one card, so 28 in total, for each letter.

I stuck them on a board and hanged it in my bedroom so when I wake up, I see the alphabet, and I can practice saying the sounds out loud.

This worked just fine, but then I really wanted to have the symbols with me in my bag so I could whip them out when I’m sitting in a doctor’s waiting room or relaxing in a coffee shop.

This time I created a smaller size 70mm x 94mm (2 ¾” x 3 ¾”) and here is an image of them.

Artspiration Cards

I created my artspiration cards and I have written about this before so you can check that out.

Preciousness in My Sketchbooks

A couple of years ago, when I started with sketchbooks, I did some sketch journaling.

I did a bookshelf and a florist shelf. I was big into shelves back then.

But because I didn’t think I was good enough to actually draw in my $9 sketchbook, I did the art piece of a separate piece of paper and then when it was finished, I glued it into my sketchbook.

Mindset

I felt that I would mess up the sketchbook or not be good enough.

This is such a common feeling for hobby artists and creatives.

Let’s just circle back a moment.

Not good enough?

Who’s the judge, my old school art teacher, my kids, whom?

Hmmm. Maybe you can relate.

Art Cards are the Answer

When you work with cards and do an art piece, yes, we are calling it art, if you mess up you can just chuck the card away and reach for another.

This takes the pressure of your precious sketchbook, and not being good, enough away.

This year, it took me a while to realise that this fact alone is one good reason why I like doing art cards over sketchbooks.

I can create as many art cards in one set, series or deck as I like and it’s all ok.

Building a Collection, Naturally

One at a Time

One of my favorite parts of this practice is watching a collection form without forcing it.

When I create a series of art cards, whether inspired by a season, a color palette, or a simple idea, each piece connects to the others. There’s a quiet cohesion that develops just by showing up and continuing.

I’m not trying to make a “perfect set.”

I’m just making the next card.

And that’s enough.

Practice Without Pressure

These daily cards have become a gentle way to practice.

I can explore:

• Color combinations
• Brush techniques
• Simple compositions
• Mood and atmosphere

All without the weight of expectation.

Some cards turn out beautifully.

Others don’t quite work.

But every single one teaches me something and I believe that consistency matters more than any individual result.

Letting Go of Perfection

Perhaps the biggest shift has been learning to let go.

Because the piece is small and time limited, I’m less tempted to overwork it.

I allow things to stay loose, imperfect and even unfinished in places.

And often, that’s where the character comes through.

These cards remind me that art doesn’t have to be polished to be meaningful.

A Quiet, Sustainable Practice

I really think that to create one small piece a day feels sustainable in a way that larger art projects never did.

It fits into everyday life.

It doesn’t require hours of uninterrupted time.

It encourages me to return, again and again.

Over time, this sort of creative work builds something deeper than just a collection and I think it builds a habit, a rhythm, and a relationship with my creativity.

Starting Simple

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin, I’d gently suggest trying something small.

One card.

One day.

No pressure.

Just begin and see what grows from there.

Let me know how you get on.

Author Bio: Alison Hazel

Alison Hazel is a hobby artist and she shares her ongoing journey about becoming an artist later in life. She creates simple art that anyone can make. She hopes to inspire you to reach your creative potential in the area that suits you.

Read more about Alison’s story.

Get her newsletter.