Works in progress. In the ugly adolescent phase, when I’m afraid they will never turn into anything I’m pleased with. I always struggle with this phase… I have to always remind myself that it always feels like this! (And this is why I rarely accept commissions anymore. I can handle this feeling when it’s just for me. But when there’s a client on the other end, waiting for something spectacular, oh, the pressure!! ?) #wip #workinprogress #creativesandbox #creativesandboxway #originalart

Didn’t get to any Creative Sandbox playtime this morning. Some days are like that. But I did get to it just now!

It doesn’t matter *when* you do it. It matters *that* you do it.
I find the thing I do FIRST is the thing that gets DONE, which is why im@a big believer in slotting my Creative Sandbox playtime in early in my day.

But some days are weird. Outliers. Crazy. So you do what you can.

And if it doesn’t happen at all?
Take a fresh start the next day! You always get to take a fresh start.

Remember, falling off track is never the problem. The only problem is when you don’t get back ON track.

The most important practice is simply getting back on the wagon. And doing so with gentleness and self-compassion.

Onward, ho!

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

It’s warm outside today. I think that came out in this morning’s painting—”cool” colors but a sunny vibe, no?

That bright green “halo,” perhaps? The combo of Spring and deep sky blue?

Whatever it is, it makes me happy, especially when combined with that little curl at the top.

This little series of ultra-minis is turning into a body of work! I’ve got 5 2″x3″ paintings and 10 2″x2″ paintings so far, and that’s just the start.

All of them, plus dozens of 6″x6″, 5″x5″, 4″x4″, and other sizes all the way up to 20″x20″ will be on exhibit and for sale at my upcoming open studio, May 13-14!

It’s part of #siliconvalleyopenstudios —Week 2 of that event, which takes place the first three weekends of May throughout Silicon Valley, when artists open our studios to the public.

For all the details and maps, visit http://svos.org

And if you’re in or around Mountain View, plan to stop by May 13-14, 11am-5pm! Meet the artist and adopt some art to take home. ?

#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

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