Last night I took my daughters to my cousin’s art studio and we got to experiment with some of her new art supplies. It was such a magical and joyful experience for us. We got to hang out, create art and just have fun. No pressure to create a finished work of art. As a high school art teacher and an artist I have found that “playing” with art materials is something that should be done frequently. It helps us find our style and allows us to take the pressure off of creating a “masterpiece.” It is an important aspect of the artistic process, especially with daily painting. I highly encourage everyone to try it!

Art and Play

“Play” is simply experimenting with any art materials and not actually trying to create something specific. For instance, yesterday I used water soluble charcoal pencils and metallic markers and literally just drew lines, doodles and shapes. I focused on the mark making and the images that popped into my head. I just drew whatever I felt like. No pressure. Just play. It was a great stress relief. I did not have to create an artwork to sell, I was just experimenting.

Too often we get so preoccupied with creating the end product. The process of creating it gets lost along the way. I have found that the process is just as important as the final product. It is the journey to the destination. Playing around with art materials is a great way to hone in on the process and allow your mind to drift to some wonderful places and let your art become more carefree. You never know what will come out of these play sessions.

So the next time your artwork is stressing you out or you feel uninspired, grab some art supplies and paper. Play your favorite music or podcast, grab a cup of coffee or tea and just play around and experiment with your supplies. I bet you will feel more relaxed and will end up more inspired. Some of my best ideas have come when I was relaxed and just enjoying the process of “playing” with my art materials. Enjoy!