And now for something completely different. Random, abstract–today’s #crappydoodle.

What’s a crappy doodle? It’s when you truly jump in the #creativesandbox and LET IT BE CRAPPY.

Because the biggest barrier to most creators is simply not letting ourselves make crap! In other words: perfectionist paralysis.

Remember: we need the crap to fertilize the good stuff!

Besides, just because you ALLOW yourself to create crap doesn’t mean you will; it just means you’ll create!

In my book, The Creative Sandbox Way, in the chapter on Guidepost #4, “Think Tiny & Daily,” I include spaces to make a “crappy doodle” every day for a week.

Why?
Because when the bar is set so low, it gets you to actually DO IT!

Setting a goal to make an *amazing* doodle, or even a *good* doodle, can be paralyzing. But a crappy doodle? Heck, ANYONE can do that!

And once you do it, you can immerse yourself in the business of *enjoying* it. You might even discover that you like what emerges (but don’t worry about that–the outcome is secondary. If you take care of the quantity, the quality will take care of itself over time. ?) Will you create something crappy today?

#sketchbook #originalart #doodle #doodleart #abstractart #blackandwhite #pigmamicron #doodlesofinstagram #workinprogress #creativesandboxway

Listening to Steal the Show podcast with @iammichaelport while playing in the #creativesandbox. All part of my #morningritual.

What’s your morning ritual? Is creative play part of it? (And if not, why not?) #originalart #abstractart #creativesandboxway #sketchbook #doodleart #doodlesofinstagram #roses #blackandwhite #morningart #pigmamicron

GolDANG it feels good to do a black and white doodle again! I’ve been so focused on getting my painting done that I haven’t been drawing, but this year of doodling has really gotten under my skin—in a good way.

When something lights your fire, when it makes your toes tingle, when it gives you a *zing* of delight to do it, MAKE TIME FOR IT!! Even if it’s just a teeny-tiny, few little minutes in the morning.

Any amount counts, as my friend @laureenartist says. (I call that the Law of Laureen. ?) Because any amount of *zing* is GOOD!

Do we WANT great, big chunks of time for it? OF COURSE!

But we don’t always have the luxury. And why wait for it? Why not give yourself some *zing* NOW?

Because even a little *zing* is better than no *zing* at all!

So what’s the thing that gives you *zing*? And how can you give yourself a little of that today?

Go do it! You will not regret it!

#doodleart #doodlesofinstagram #blackandwhite #pigmamicron #originalart #creativity #creativesandboxway #abstractart #workinprogress #wip #sketchbook #playtime #makestuff #joy #roses

One of the great pleasures of modern life is painting in bed with Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils while listening to podcasts.

Today it was Startup, by Gimlet Media, and @taragentile’s Profit. Power. Pursuit. – fabulous episode with @daniellelaporte
What podcasts do you like to listen to while you create?

#originalart #abstractart #doodleart #creativesandboxway #doodlesofinstagram #coloringforadults #bluegreen #circles #derwent #inktense #watercolorpencils #workinprogress #wip

Another morning, a few more inches done.

A few months ago, I was plowing away at my book, The Creative Sandbox Way (which didn’t have a title yet). I had a big goal in mind: get the book done. And I had a deadline: November 15.

A few months before that, though, I was about where I am now: creating something just about every day, but no real clear vision for a cohesive “container” for what I was creating.

It was only THROUGH the creating that the container became clear.
It was only THROUGH the creating that the book told me what it wanted to be about.

It was only THROUGH the creating that the title became obvious.

Start walking, and step by step the path starts to become visible. But often only after you turn around!

This is how it works.

I’m back at the start of a path again. I don’t know where it’s headed, and that’s always uncomfortable. But what I do know is that if I don’t put one foot in front of the other, I won’t get anywhere.

Trust the process.

Know that nothing is ever wasted.

Just start. Anywhere. (That’s Creative Sandbox Way Guidepost #5, btw.) Then keep going. Even if that means you shift directions. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

The path will become clear eventually, but only after you’ve walked down it.

Go get creating!

#originalart #doodleart #doodlesofinstagram #pigmamicron #coloringforadults #derwent #inktense #circles #bluegreen #creativesandboxway