Knot doodles from the opening circle at the Friend’s of Calligraphy Spring Retreat.
I didn’t get much art-making don’t this afternoon, because I was napping, and then rehearsing my speech for my upcoming gigs.

But I brought my journal with me to the opening circle, along with a Pigma Micron, and the page bloomed with knots by the time the circle was over. ?

Tomorrow I’ll try adding some knots to my cradled boards, all primed and ready to go with Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground!
We shall see what happens!

Creative Sandbox play is the BEST!

#creativesandbox #creativesandboxway #doodle #doodles #doodleart #doodleartist #doodlesofinstagram #dailydoodle2017 #dailydoodle #dailycreative #dailyart #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #abstractart #originalart #originalartwork #blackandwhite #pigmamicron #retreat

Feeling knotty. Today I pack up the car with art supplies (which will probably take hours…) and oh, yeah, a few clothes too, to head to the Friends of Calligraphy Spring Retreat!

I’m thinking of trying out knots at larger sizes. I have some wooden panels that have been sitting around. Might as well use them!

It will be a Creative Sandbox experiment. And I can always paint over them if I don’t like them.

Knotty art week, here we come!

But first, laundry… #creativesandbox #creativesandboxway #originalart #originalartwork #doodle #doodles #doodlecam #doodleart #doodleartist #abstractart #blackandwhite #visualjournal #pigmamicron #dailyart #dailydoodle #dailycreative #dailydoodle2017 #doodlesofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #artistsofinstagram

Woke with a migraine. I’m sure the late night working did not help… sigh. Apparently I need to learn that lesson again. And again.
Time for another dose of my Golden Formula: self-awareness + self-compassion = the key to everything good.

We think that the key to a consistent practice (creative or otherwise) is self-discipline.

NOT TRUE!

In fact, scientific studies have shown, over and over, that the key is self-*forgiveness*. Self-compassion.

The people who beat themselves up when they stumble are the ones who stop trying (after all, who wants a beating?). While the people who forgive themselves are the ones who succeed in the long run.

So what is the most healing, loving, forgiving thing you can do for yourself?

Playing in the Creative Sandbox is always high up there for me (especially when sleep is not forthcoming), so that’s what I did. And here’s what I made.

Of course it’s not about the outcome–“Think process, not product,” remember? Creative Sandbox Way Guidepost #2.

But sharing what I create is part of my practice, so here it is. I hope it inspires you to go make your own creative mess today!

Remember, the purpose is JOY! Your restoring energy to your brain, charging up your happiness.
Go get creating!

#creativesandbox #creativesandboxway #doodle #doodles #doodleart #doodleartist #doodlecam #doodlesofinstagram #dailydoodle2017 #dailydoodle #dailycreative #dailyart #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #abstractart #originalart #originalartwork #blackandwhite #pigmamicron #visualjournal

Squee! New toys! I just did a Doodlecam demonstrating my charter run of my brand new Winsor & Newton watercolor markers!
My gremlins told me what I was doing SUCKED, but that’s what my gremlins always say (hey, it’s their job–they’re trying to keep me safe, bless their little hearts). I just kept at it, and by the time I got to this point (still a work in progress), I was having FUN!

Next step: order a white Gelli pen. I definitely want one for some highlighting as this piece progresses.

Lesson from today’s Doodlecam: remember Creative Sandbox Way Guidepost #8: Dismiss all gremlins!

Of course, they won’t listen. They will sneak into your Creative Sandbox and try to convince you they are the Voice of Truth, the Voice of Wisdom, and the Voice of Reason, because gremlins exist to try to keep you safely inside your comfort zone.

But creativity and growth only and always happen OUTSIDE your comfort zone, in the zone of uncertainty!

So your job is to get good at recognizing the many disguises your gremlins wear, and when they appear, send them off to get a pedicure! ?

#creativesandbox #creativesandboxway #doodle #doodles #doodleart #doodleartist #doodlecam #doodlesofinstagram #dailydoodle2017 #dailydoodle #dailycreative #dailyart #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #abstractart #originalart #originalartwork #blackandwhite #pigmamicron #visualjournal #workinprogress #wip

The completed knot doodle from today’s Doodlecam, which took me on quite a journey.
Not only did I learn some useful things (a bigger knot requires a bigger tool, for example), but my response to what I was creating went through an emotional roller coaster.

Initial disappointment, when I didn’t like what appeared in the page (hmmm… apparently I had come to the page with a few expectations…), then downright disdain… But as I acknowledged the gremlins, and acknowledged my hidden expectations and started to release them and allow *what was* to just be, and responded to what was there, I relaxed into Creative Sandbox Way thinking.

Pretty soon I found myself playing and having FUN, and before I knew it I was liking what was on the page, and even FALLING IN LOVE with it!

This is how it works.

When you can let go of your attachment to the outcome, you may find yourself falling in love with the outcome you end up with.

It doesn’t always work that way, but I’m surprised at how often it does. It’s so much a matter of letting go and relaxing into it…the Creative Sandbox Way. ?

#creativesandbox #creativesandboxway #doodle #doodles #doodleart #doodleartist #doodlecam #doodlesofinstagram #dailydoodle2017 #dailydoodle #dailycreative #dailyart #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #abstractart #originalart #originalartwork #blackandwhite #pigmamicron #visualjournal