taking it slow
Creativity needs time to simmer.
Art making is a weekly newsletter about the practice of making art. I hope to encourage people to start their own practice to give themselves the space to explore, learn, and play…
There is so much color to soak up this time of year, as the tree begin to change and leaves float to the ground. As the season shifts, the air turns crisp and a few more layers are needed on the morning bike rides.
I try to remember to slow down even though this marks a busy time with work. Finding ways to prioritize the most important tasks, and making more time for rest is high on my list. This seems especially important this season with elections here and stress running high.
While normally I keep pushing though to get projects done and to-do items checked, I’m practicing taking a slower approach. Creativity needs time to simmer. Having time and space to let ideas percolate is crucial to a project’s success. Some of my best ideas come when I am taking a shower, chopping veggies, or knitting. Giving my mind space to wander frees me from my long to do list and allows me to playfully notice details that will one day be useful down the road.
While celebrating reaching 300 days in my learning Adobe Fresco project, I am also leaning into a new one based on pattern sketches. But with the emphasis on slowing down, I’m trying to take a different approach—one with more ease and a little more wandering.
I’ve started gathering photos on my walks specifically to use as inspiration. I’ll be referencing the photos for both design ideas and colors, sampling some of my favorites to create some new color combinations. With this as my focus, I’m starting to notice even more of the beauty in front of me and thankfully, it’s slowing my normal pace.
By cultivating an art making practice, I allow myself the freedom to shake up my process and test new ideas. Having a structure and boundaries helps keep my focus and consistency going, while experimenting and play helps to keep my creativity engaged.
It seems that there are some lessons I need to learn continuously before they begin to stick, and slowing down is one such lesson. I can feel my body relax the more I begin to notice the details around me, allowing me to untether from the stress that arises during the day.
Here’s my reminder for the upcoming days: Make some coffee, slip it slow. Wander around to enjoy all the colors. Pull out some art supplies, make some marks, and let the process of play soak in and just enjoy the practice as it unfolds… 💛
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