Why It’s Important and How I Found Mine
It has taken what seems like an eternity for me to reach this point…the point where I am able to finally follow my passion and find my inner ARTIST. Today I’m going to I share with you several things that I either did, or stumbled upon, that nudged my inner artist and truly inspired me to create more art. I have changed and developed more as an artist in the last year than I have my entire life. I have been intentional about finding new ways to be creative and it has been beyond rewarding. I’d love for you to experience some of the benefits that come from creating art and whether you consider yourself an artist or not, creating art WILL…
- Improve your problem-solving skills
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Boost your self-esteem and confidence
- Help you become more observant
- Help you become more psychologically resilient
- Connect you to people that are inspiring
- FEEL GOOD
One year ago, I took a painting class with some friends…it was one of those trendy and increasingly popular wine and painting classes. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that class lit a flame inside of me that would continue to grow, finally catching fire a year later. That class was the first of several things I did to get more creative. I’d encourage you to try at least ONE of these things, add some creativity to your life, and enjoy the results…
- Attend a painting class…find one in your area, get a few friends, and GO! Who cares if you don’t know how to paint…guzzle a few glasses of wine and you’ll feel like Picasso. I used Living Social and Groupon to get a great deal on several in my hometown. They are all over the place, I promise you can find one!
My First Painting Class
Painting Fundraiser
Painting Buddies - Buy a coloring book…you know, one those adult coloring books that you see EVERYWHERE? Pick one up, grab a cheap set of colored pencils or markers, grab a beverage, a snack, some music, and start to COLOR. It might seem silly at first but once you start, you’ll be hooked.
- Create a board on Pinterest…Pin anything and everything you find related to creativity and art…inspiring quotes, how-to’s, tutorials, tips, techniques, pictures…everything. Pin away and refer back often…you can check out my pins here.
- Get electronically creative…I’ve tried several art apps for my iPad but my favorite is Art Set Pro. This app is great for doodling and sketching on the go. The app is fully loaded with a variety of tools…chalks, charcoal, oil pastels, wax crayons, graphite pencils, coloured pencils and marker pens and you can either use the paper or canvases included or upload your own photo to edit.
Black Stone Serenity
Watercolor painting before finishing in Art Set Pro
Finished product hanging in my bathroom - Sign up for a subscription box…There are many out there, each one catering to slightly different tastes. Cratejoy is a site that lists and describes pretty much any subscription box that exists. I choose to sign up for Sketchbox last October and love it. I’ve been able to try products I wouldn’t have otherwise purchased…some I’ve loved and some not so much BUT the point is that I’ve expanded my creative options.
February Sketchbox
Some of my Sketchbox Products
itojiten Colored Pencil Succulents - Find an expert…In my search for a way to increase my art skills, I came across 2 sites that have provided me with a TON of information, inspiration, and instruction. The first site is by Alisa Burke and on her site I found a series of online classes. I signed up for one of the her sketchbook classes which pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to start creating daily. I also follow her blog which is a constant inspiration to everything creative. Also, The Virtual Instructor is probably one of the most comprehensive and beneficial collections that I’ve found. There are courses, tutorials, videos, ebooks and more…some free, some not… but all excellent. There is also a forum for members, a newsletter and a blog that I follow.
- Let go of your fear…honestly this has been the most difficult thing for me to do. I was afraid to try something new, afraid I wasn’t going to be good at it, afraid it was going to be too hard BUT I have yet to have a bad experience. I’m not saying that everything I’ve tried has been a success but it has been the process that has been the most rewarding. I feel at peace when I can let my mind go and focus on creating and that, for me, has been critical in managing the rest of my life.
So again, I challenge you to get some creativity in your life, try something new, step out of your comfort zone and make a little art!
And please, feel free to share… if you have suggestions for me, I’d love to hear about them. If you’ve found other ways to be creative and find your inner artist, I’d like to try them too!
My art is a little different then yours. My art being my sewing and I can’t tell you how many projects I have tried and failed. I have always learned something not to do or a better way to do it the next time around. I recently started sewing for Lexi Walker ( Google her). I tried to create a dress for her first video with Sony and it was a major fall. The next dress ended up being on the cover of her new Sony cd. Not everything I create works. Don’t give up. Try again.
That is exactly what I would say…not everything works, I abandon some stuff, throw some stuff away, but growth only comes from trying again….and, I Googled her…she is gorgeous and talented. I can’t believe you got to design her dress…is it the red one? Awesome!