Sunday, January 9, 2011

The Confidence of Playing

Last week's Zentangle challenge (presented by Laura Harms), spawned a wonderful circle of comments about process and product. "Making art" can be a little nerve-wracking sometimes. In focusing on the outcome ("art"), it's easy to bypass the really fun part: the process. Beginning with our eyes shut called forward (for many, but not all) some doubt and (hopefully low-level) anxiety. That's just because of what we are expecting of ourselves (some nice art?).
   Notice when kids (or adults) play, they make things up and change things as they go. That's the fun of playing. The lightheartedness we bring to play allows for a certain confidence in what we are playing with. Playing with Zentangle is the perfect playground for lighthearted confidence to emerge. There is no preconceived image to attain -- just a meandering string that will get filled or not, today or tomorrow or two weeks from now.
   I love how each participant is playing this little challenge game. What a joyous symphony of play!! It makes me happy to my toes to see so many people joining in. Thanks, everyone!
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7 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2011 at 2:45:00 PM EST

    Your post is such a great reminder for me. And "Free Your Mind" is beautiful! It makes me feel really happy when I look at it! Thanks... :-)

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  2. i am the divaJanuary 9, 2011 at 3:44:00 PM EST

    :)

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  3. stARTJanuary 9, 2011 at 4:56:00 PM EST

    I love this post and your drawing. I have a circle of close friends and we all make it a point to schedule "play days" together - all of us together, or just a pair, whoever is free - so that we can freely, joyously and courageously explore our art and our world. It's one of the best things I've ever experienced in my life. The capacity to play is something that I think adult are conditioned out of, and always to our detriment. To rediscover playfulness and jpure joy is a great gift.

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  4. DIANEJanuary 9, 2011 at 5:32:00 PM EST

    How very true! So many other things have been demanding attention lately that I haven't taken time to "make art" much less "play". I'm hoping to go back and do Laura's challenges so reading about everyone's experiences will hopefully let me focus on PLAYING. Love your zentangle-inspired quote piece -- and thanks for reminding me of a GREAT SONG!

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  5. Shelly BeauchJanuary 9, 2011 at 11:58:00 PM EST

    I am sure all good things grow from playing. Our grandchildren are staying with us so the loungeroom has been turned into a big cubby house full of pillows and rugs. I can hear the most wonderful role playing coming from there little voices!

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  6. arts4allJanuary 10, 2011 at 6:57:00 AM EST

    Lovely post! The tangle with the balance of positive and negative space intrigues me - the 'empty' letters with surrounding spaces filled in, instead of the other way around. I am learning so much in these weekly challenges - from the tangles themselves, as well as reading through the comments. Thanks!

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  7. Carole OhlJanuary 10, 2011 at 9:50:00 AM EST

    Wow, Shelly! How fun, I've always wanted a room like that to build a great big tent in and throw pillow all around: no furniture. I still think I want to do that to my living room:)

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