I've been looking for joy wherever I can...
Life and the world continue to be challenging and heavy. Moments of joy sustain me, and art making is one of my go-to ways to find it. (I also like to follow a tip from my partner: "Looking for joy? Have you checked under your cat?")
The joy in the curve
As any artist can tell you, being an "artist" doesn't mean art making automatically brings you joy. Sometimes we have to give ourselves permission. We have to find ways to bring in the play and the awe.
Lately I've been letting myself get drawn in and lost in the beautiful curves of the Mustang "Oso" of Horse & Heart Ranch. I try to let go of the need to paint a perfect picture, and instead just feel his beautiful curves. I like to imagine my paint brush is like a soft horse hair brush I am sweeping over him. Have you ever groomed a horse? Can you feel the motion of the curves under your hand when you look at my little painting?
When looking for joy I let myself play with different materials - how does it feel to trace his curves with this brush? With that pen? With this big, rough stick of charcoal? Does it feel better on smooth paper or rough? The curiosity brings me closer to my experience in the present moment and closer to the horse who fascinates me.
Want to join me? I love sharing the practices I use to find joy in the process and revel in the power of the horse. That's what my mindful art workshops are about! Find links and details about upcoming workshops at the bottom of this newsletter.
The joy of little surprises
When I need a pick-me-up, visiting the Free Little Art Gallery in my town always brings me joy. Why is that? I think it's a few things...
Every time I visit it's different, and I absolutely can't predict what will be there! People of all ages leave creations: drawings and paintings, collages, fiber arts, stickers, pins, linocut prints, tiny sculptures. You never know what will be there!
I think handmade items bring a special kind of joy. The imperfections, the knowing that someone's hands held this, that they put time into it.
Talking with the gallery's host while making art this week, they noted something about it that I hadn't quite put my finger on yet. There's also joy in the secrecy. No one sees me adding art, and I have never seen anyone adding art. It's introvert-friendly, and it means we all get to participate in sneaky giving, like little elves!
And of course there's the joy of sharing. I recently went through a backlog of sketches I'd made and cut up little snippets to share in the little art gallery. I end up with a lot of excess art - from life drawing, mindful art, or studies for larger projects - pieces that I don't have a use for, that didn't quite work for one reason or another. But often a small part of it did work. So I get the joy of up-cycling and saving a bit of something that otherwise would have gone in the recycling bin.
Looking for some joy? Find out if there is a little free art gallery near you by clicking this link, or consider starting one. Also, in places where there is no free little art gallery, I often see people leaving tiny art or homemade bookmarks in little free libraries. Experience the joy of secret sharing! :)
