What does it mean to play in the #CreativeSandbox? One of my favorite definitions is “following curiosity.” This is right in alignment with my Creative Sandbox Way Guidepost #6: “Ask ‘What if..?'” When you’re asking yourself that question, “What if I tried this..?” or “What would happen if I did this..?” you are naturally following your curiosity, automatically engaged.
Blocks and resistance melt away, and everything distilled down to its pure essence: you and your creative spirit are one again.

Bliss.

How to ask “What if..?” Just start! (That’s Guidepost #5, btw!) What if I make a scribble on this blank page?
What if I add something to the scribble?

What if I add something else to the scribble?

What if I *had* to do it now, and I couldn’t wait until it was “good enough”? Keep asking “what if” questions until it gets you to TAKE ACTION.

For more tips, check out my book, The Creative Sandbox Way, http://bit.ly/2dnWyeJ.
#creativesandboxway #originalart #doodleart #doodlesofinstagram #blackandwhite #abstractart #intuitiveart #pigmamicron #artheals #artistsoninstagram #artistsofinstagram #visualjournal #followcuriosity #askwhatif #morningart #morningdoodle

My last day in D.C. was supposed to be lunch with a friend, and exploring art galleries and museums. Instead I’m laid low with a bad cold (again! Didn’t I JUST get over being sick from the holidays??). So it’s been a quiet day at home alone instead. Reading. A long phone call with the friend I was *supposed* to meet for lunch, and some Creative Sandbox playtime in my sketchbook.

Remembering Creative Sandbox Way Guidepost #1: There is no wrong.

And Guidepost #2: Think process, not product.

It’s not about impressing other people, it’s about joy in the process, remember?
When you can keep THAT front of mind, the whole thing becomes a LOT more fun! ?

And here’s the really interesting part: a lot of the time (not all of the time, goodness knows, but sometimes) I end up actually liking what comes out!
I mean, really delighted by it! Surprisingly so!

But I have to keep my focus OFF the outcome for that to happen.
If I AIM for an amazing outcome, the pressure gets too intense, and more often than not it shits me down altogether.
Not good!

So instead, I remember the Guideposts and follow the Creative Sandbox Way. It works wonders!

That’s what I did today.

And now, a nap.

Take THAT, bad cold!

#artheals #creativesandboxway #originalart #pigmamicron #blackandwhite #abstractart #doodlesofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #artistsofinstagram #doodleart

Something about this little detail says to me, “even when the world feels like it’s falling apart around you, sometimes you gotta kick up your heels and dance.” It’s what will keep you sane in the midst of insanity: art, community, play.
Get yourself into the Creative Sandbox and get creating! Art, community, play, and the manufacture of JOY will get us through.

They are what always have gotten the human family through, and they are what always will.

#creativesandboxway #originalart #doodleart #derwent #inktense #watercolorpencils #doodlesofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #artistsofinstagram

Even when the day seems like a loss (another migraine; all plans laid waste; the country going to hell in a hand basket with a fascist at the helm) giving myself some Creative Sandbox time is a healing balm.

WOW what a difference! Pull yourself away from Facebook and MAKE ART, people! Even for just a few moments. Art heals!
You may be amazed at how much better you will feel. It will restore and recharge you (literally–it literally restores energy to your brain, so you have the patience and willpower to keep doing the important work that needs to be done), and you will feel so much better!

This is one of the ways creative play changes the world. ?

Go play!

#creativesandboxway #originalart #artsaves #artheals #doodleart #abstractart #doodlesofinstagram #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #derwent #inktense #watercolorpencils

Making art with my nephew, playing in the Creative Sandbox. He really likes my Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils. ?

That’s my work in the foreground and his work in the background, in case you were wondering.
#creativesandboxway #originalart #doodleart #pigmamicron #doodlesofinstagram #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #pigmamicron #derwent #inktense #watercolorpencils