I decided to do something different with today’s Doodlecam, and that decision led me down a path of delight.

Rather than just filling in the *interior* spaces defined by my knot doodle, I started by painting a “halo” around the *exterior*, defining the outside of the knot. *That* put a tingle in my toes.

Actually, at first I was annoyed that the blue was much darker than I wanted at the top of the painting. It faded to much paler by the bottom, and rather than even it out, I realized I liked the gradient effect—much more exciting than the original thought, which was an even-toned halo all around the outside.

Only by *doing* do we make these kinds of discoveries!

As I write in The Creative Sandbox Way:

You cannot THINK your way to creativity; you’ve got to DO something! You have to get your hands dirty!

Literally or metaphorically.
THAT is what will put the tingle in your toes.

Go get creating!

Come see this piece, and over 100 other original artworks, at my upcoming open studio, May 13-14, when all my art will be on exhibit to the public and for sale!
It’s part of the 31st annual #siliconvalleyopenstudios http://svos.org

#creativesandbox #creativesandboxway #doodle #doodles #doodleart #doodleartist #doodlesofinstagram #dailydoodle2017 #dailydoodle #dailycreative #dailyart #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #abstractart #originalart #originalartwork #100dayproject #the100dayproject #tinycanvas #tinypainting #tinyart #miniart #minicanvas #poscapens #neocolorii #neocolor2 #neocolor

There is something so satisfying about taking these “formal” shots, setting up the painting on its tiny easel, getting the composition just so, picking the photos to go into these photo-collages to share here.

It really tickles me, and I don’t even really know why!

When you find something that does that for you, don’t question it, just do it!
It nourishes you! And nourishment is good!

We can never get too much of it.

Face it, unless we’re mindful (or extremely lucky), most of what we get each day either sucks is dry, or is the equivalent of junk food.

You’ve got to pay attention, and GIVE YOURSELF what feeds you well!

If you follow my Golden Formula, that will happen naturally:

Self-awareness + self-compassion = the key to everything good.

But it all starts with that first piece, paying attention—self-awareness.

Without that piece you won’t get very far.

So what delights you? Be on the lookout at all times! It’s an ongoing treasure hunt!

#creativesandbox #creativesandboxway #doodle #doodles #doodleart #doodleartist #doodlesofinstagram #dailydoodle2017 #dailydoodle #dailycreative #dailyart #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #abstractart #originalart #originalartwork #pencil #watercolorground #watercolor #winsornewton #winsornewtonmarker #watercolormarkers #100dayproject #the100dayproject #tinycanvas #tinypainting #tinyart #miniart #minicanvas

One piece, two orientations. Which one do you like better?
#creativesandbox #creativesandboxway #doodle #doodles #doodleart #doodleartist #doodlesofinstagram #dailydoodle2017 #dailydoodle #dailycreative #dailyart #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #abstractart #originalart #originalartwork #pencil #watercolorground #100dayproject #the100dayproject #tinycanvas #tinypainting #tinyart #miniart #minicanvas #posca #poscapen #poscapens

Surprise! It’s a new shape today—2″x3″! I’m breaking away from square because at some point I bought a box of these ultra mini 2x3s, and I’ve gotta do something with them eventually, so might as well start now!

The Posca paint pen that @tracey_sunshine sent me is still going strong. For waterproof black lines on watercolor ground, so far Posca looks like a real winner!
Color will have to wait til later–insulation installer guy is arriving any minute. Being the general contractor for a kitchen remodel is a full-time job… ?

At least i got a little Creative Sandbox playtime in first! Any amount counts! That’s the Law of Laureen, who is featured on the podcast today—check out our conversation at http://bit.ly/2p4f97n ?

#creativesandbox #creativesandboxway #doodle #doodles #doodleart #doodleartist #doodlesofinstagram #dailydoodle2017 #dailydoodle #dailycreative #dailyart #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #abstractart #originalart #originalartwork #pencil #watercolorground #posca #poscapens #poscapen #100dayproject #the100dayproject #tinycanvas #tinypainting #tinyart #miniart #minicanvas

For this morning’s Doodlecam, I experimented with Caran D’Ache Neocolor II Aquarelle water-soluble wax pastel crayons, which were gifted to me by the amazing @tracey_sunshine (Thank you, Tracey! You have no idea what a ray of sunshine it was to get your little package in the mail with my downstairs all torn up during our renovation! ❤️) There was also some wild experimentation with a Posca pen, and dry-into-wet on the side of the paper, but you can’t see that in this photo–you’ll have to watch the Doodlecam video over at http://bit.ly/2nxhrLv for that. ?

Now I’m off to plot out my week and record a podcast. How about you?

#creativesandbox #creativesandboxway #doodle #doodles #doodleart #doodleartist #doodlesofinstagram #dailydoodle2017 #dailydoodle #dailycreative #dailyart #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #abstractart #originalart #originalartwork #100dayproject #the100dayproject #neocolor #carandache #waxpastel #watercolor #pigmamicron #neocolor2 #neocolorii