Starting my morning off with some ocean colors while the sky seems to be bringing the ocean to visit in small drops outside. Feeling very grateful for my warm home, and for the good fortune to be able to stay snug in bed and doodle this morning before taking on the rest of the day.

What are you grateful for?

#gratitude #originalart #doodleart #morningart #creativesandboxway #visualjournal #pigmamicron #derwent #inktense #watercolorpencils #bluegreen #abstractart #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #dailyart #dailycreative

A tiny little bit of color. Started this morning, added to just before bed.

Because even a little bit counts.
Small daily acts. Tiny and daily. It can change your life, and it can change the world.

#creativesandboxway #originalart #visualjournal #pigmamicron #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #abstractart #doodleart #derwent #watercolorpencils #doodlesofinstagram #tinyanddaily #dailycreative

My pen slipped. So I went with it. And this page went in an entirely different direction from anything I ever expected.

That’s called improvisation. Dancing with the page. Dancing with what IS.

It’s what we do in life, and it’s what I like to do in art.

And guess what? Practicing one makes good practice for the other! Because if you get better at dancing with what IS in your art, you get better at dancing with what IS in life.

This is why improvisation is one of the most valuable life skills you can work on. You already use it all day long without even thinking about it.

Imagine how much smoother your life might go if you brought some mindfulness and FUN to those everyday situations!

I love improv.

#creativesandboxway #improvisation #improv #visualjournal #pigmamicron #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #abstractart #derwent #inktense #watercolorpencils #originalart #morningphilosophy

Doodle time! Don’t think, just draw! It’s not about being “good,” or impressing anyone, or making a pretty feed; it’s simply about following my curiosity and play.

It’s about getting myself in the Creative Sandbox zone for a few moments before the day slams into me, because that is what will help me better arm myself for the day.

Seriously, the whole rest of my day goes better when I can give myself some Creative Sandbox time!

It turns out that’s not just fantasy, either—it’s neuroscience. Doing something that engages your interest and puts you in a state of flow actually RESTORES ENERGY TO YOUR BRAIN.

You are literally powering up your prefrontal cortex—the seat of your willpower—every time you “indulge” in creative play.

You are restoring your patience.

You are restoring your ability to focus and stay on track.

You are restoring your ability to resist temptations and distractions that pop up to lure you off track.

Repeat after me: it is never self-indulgent to do something that restores your energy.

So go play! Guilt-free! It’s good for you, and it will actually help you be MORE productive at everything else important in your life, too. ?

#creativesandboxway #originalart #doodle #doodleart #doodlesofinstagram #blackandwhite #abstractart #artistsoninstagram #artistsofinstagram #pigmamicron #visualjournal

A little color with my Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils to start off my day.
#originalart #doodleart #doodlesofinstagram #artiststsoninstagram #artistsofinstagram #abstractart #dailydoodle #dailycreative #inktense #watercolor #tinyanddaily #smalldailyacts #dailyart #creativesandboxway