Feeling stuck in your art? It’s time to play.

I’m in Morocco teaching an Art2Life Destination Workshop and we’re working outside! It’s so fun but also really hot. Luckily, we have a cold pool nearby for a refreshing difference to wake us up! And that’s exactly what I’m teaching. Differences bring us alive. If your paintings have all big shapes, small shapes will add contrast. If color is muted, saturated color will add life. Differences are powerful and teaching this idea is always my focus early in the workshop. But after a few days, I can feel it becoming a roadblock for some.

Let me explain…

When you’re learning new things, it’s easy to be stuck in your head and overthink every move you make. But when it comes to art, that’s the last place you want to be! You need the information, but at some point, you want to let go and play. Try new tools, experiment with colors, and follow what feels good instead of trying to make something. When you play, you don’t have a plan. When you don’t have a plan, your intuition kicks in, and more often than not, the moves are right! We need this balance of knowing and letting go, and bringing play into your work is the fastest way to get you out of your head.

When in your process do you play and feel most like you? Let me know in the comments.

On this week’s podcast, I have a conversation with artist Vanessa Marsh, whose work looks like photography, but it’s not. Her subject matter is light. She works with natural sunlight and also in the darkroom to create incredible work reflecting her highly intuitive process. The results are amazing! I hope you’ll join me on Wednesday for an all-new episode of the Art2Life Podcast.

These workshops are so fun. There is nothing better than making art with friends! To find some of the materials shown and mentioned in today’s vlog, head to our Art2Life Store. Hope you have an awesome Sunday!

Nicholas

PS: Are you looking for a way to be part of the Art2Life Community? Join our free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group!