Friday, January 17, 2014

Easel Art


Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Do It Because It Makes You Feel Good
I taped a piece of sketch paper onto my easel the other night and I began to doodle with a black Sharpie marker.  The doodling kept going.  I would step away and come back to it.  In the morning I am finding myself walking by the easel and adding a few more lines, a few more circles.  The inner critic showed up during one of these visits and began to ask me why I was bothering with this piece of art work - after all, it wasn't going to lead to money or fame or recognition.  And silly me, I began to let the inner critic get under my skin and I began asking myself the same questions - why am I spending time doing this?  I finally turned to Michael and asked him if he thought it was worthwhile for me to be creating this work of art (pretty sad that I had to turn to him for some reassurance - that I wasn't strong enough to find my own answer...but I'll keep working on that one!).  He asked me why I walk the dog, or swim, or do any of the activities that I find myself enjoying.  And, of course, there was my answer.  I do it because it brings me joy, peace, calm - I do it because it makes me feel good.  The process allows me to let go, to focus, to move beyond time.  And this is enough.  Do it because it makes you feel good - because you want to.  That is reason enough!

1 comment:

Lorraine said...

That can be a bit of a roadblock - asking yourself that question. I think about that sometimes. I really like what you're doing with your doodles.