Last night I was dreaming about the art I would make today. I do that sometimes, which just shows how excited I get about my art practice and how much a part of my life it really is!

In my mind, I think, I was putting together some ideas.

You see, there was this experimental piece I’d made yesterday. I didn’t really intend to make it. I had set out on another project with acrylic paint, which I don’t use much lately, but as a background for wet layers on top, acrylics are ideal, so I got out my paints and quickly filled a large sheet of watercolor paper with background marks as intended.

However, I had put too much paint on the palette and I hate wasting paint, so I pulled out another large sheet of paper—and decided to just fill it up with color and shapes any which way, and before I knew it I was immersed.

Fully absorbed for over an hour.

I fell into PLAY, which as I mentioned yesterday is one really important activity in an art practice—this is time we don’t have goals or preconceived ideas about our art. We’re not practicing skills or polishing a final artwork. It’s just time to experiment, which is so important to open up new ideas and insights!

Anyway, play is not something I do enough in my art practice, and maybe I have to trick myself it like this time, but when I came up for air, well, I had a few emotions and thoughts.

First, it was super fun to just play!

I really must do more play. But then I started to criticize the painting as a whole—it’s certainly not a finished or well-crafted piece. Self criticism is way too easy. So I stopped myself there and reminded myself that perfection was not its purpose—I was just playing. And I remembered to look for elements I DID like and think about what I could do with those…

And I guess I thought about what I could do in my dreams! Which involved those “not boring” figures I’m working on in that Skillshare class…and I can’t wait to experiment with those ideas so some more!

I also think I might experiment further with this piece as well—see where I can take it with more layers.

Art making is kind of like skipping stones, right? Throw a flat stone across the smooth surface of a river and watch one idea become the next and the next…and then watch them ripple out.

Cool Links

I love this article from Margo at That Seems Important:

“The truth about art is it’s hard work. You’re in flow for a fraction of the time you spend editing. Most people don’t notice your work or don’t care. And many people don’t like it. Usually, you’re the one left having to advocate for why it matters and why people should pay attention.

“Which is why your commitment cannot be to the outcome, but to the process. You can’t control how your work is received. You can only control the integrity with which you create it.”

Speaking of Margo, she just announced an amazing climate crisis book project she’s been collaborating with other amazing writers and artists on, including I believe Seth Godin: The Carbon Almanac. I preordered it. I want to join the network when it goes live.