3 Choices That Will Kill Your Art Before It's Created

The pressure to create can sometimes be stressful. There are many outside and inside forces at work that seek to destroy your creative spirit before it even lifts a finger. Here's 3 choices I have found can kill your art before it even has a chance to see daylight:

1. Waiting For Permission

Don't wait for someone else to tell you it's ok to create your art. Don't wait for an invitation. It will never come. And more urgent and "responsible" things will come to sway your attention. Create and create some more because you HAVE to.

2. Seeking Constant Validation

Everyone like's a word of encouragement, or a fist bump for your soul in the form of some Facebook Like's, Retweets, or Instagram Hearts. But basing your artistic self worth on the opinions of others is a recipe for disaster. Be who you are. Be true to YOUR art, even if you are still trying to figure out what that is. Everyone starts there. Give yourself a break.

3. Befriending Perfectionism

Wanting to be excellent is a worthy pursuit. But if you struggle with the voices of Perfectionism in your head you know all too well the following lies:  "You suck, don't even get started on this because you know it's going to fail", "What gives you the right to think someone will care about your Art when there is so much great Art out there already." and "You are not a REAL Artist. Real Artists don't make art like THAT." Kick Perfectionism in the teeth by showing up to do the work each and every day. And if you're brave enough, share your art, especially when you think it's sub-par.

Push Yourself

In this new year, where are you going to push yourself?

This is the question I've been facing. It's easy for me to avoid the next challenge. To get lazy. Or when faced with a new opportunity, to get anxious. All the "what if's" come and haunt me.

But I decided I really do want to move the ball down the field this year. I have yet to show my work in my own solo gallery exhibit. I haven't sold much of my art to date. I haven't entered any art contests.

Well, on one front things are about to move forward. I'm happy to say that I'll be showing my work at the Clinton library in their exhibit space, this coming August. It's small and local, but I'm grateful for a beginning. And this came about because I saw a Facebook post in an art group I belong to. I decided to push myself and inquire.

I also pushed myself in adding my name in the ring to co-host an art radio talk show that looks for different monthly co-hosts. I'm a bit out of the normal range (most are women and have a bit more of a fine art background and presence) but I just told myself to just go for it. The worst thing that can happen is that it doesn't happen. (Which is probably the case but hey, you don't know until you try).

This isn't new years resolution stuff. This is in line with my asking: What's the right next step? And for me, where I'm at on this journey, this is right.

{photo credit}

Scribbling Star Wars

I've been experimenting with a scribble style lately, with Star Wars as my subject matter. This experiment is forcing (sorry for the pun) to keep things fast & loose. It seems the more "successful" ones are where I push myself to just keep moving. Scribble more. Stop & adjust less. My line is a continuous line drawing (you don't pick the pen up from the page at all) using various black inks. Most of the color is watercolor paint, watercolor crayons or pencils. Some spots are non-diluted by water. Every so often I hit a spot with a dark blue china marker. And then I add some white gouache and black watercolor paint. This helps to keep things from breaking down completely, keeping to some highlight & shadow values. It helps give the subjects some form.

To be honest, the first one (Yoda) was the hardest. I wasn't feeling loose. I kept worrying about if things looked "right". It's hard to keep yourself moving. That perfectionist voice doesn't like that. So this is another way to beat him. Keep it fast & loose.

Today I did my Skywalker scribble. I chose this scene, rather than a straight up portrait, because this is my favorite scene from Star Wars: A New Hope. Luke's world has been rocked. His aunt & uncle are dead. He's at a crossroads. He must decide to stay behind and try to pick up the pieces or move ahead into an unknown (and potentially) dangerous adventure. This scene always speaks to me of hope, longing and a sense of destiny. Powerful themes in my own life.

What Are You Learning Lately?

It's no secret that if you want to continue to grow as an artist (or a human for that matter) you need to find ways to keep learning. Experimenting and play can only take you so far. There comes a time when you need to learn some new techniques and skills to add to your arsenal.

If you can't afford a formal class, or have no fellow artist friends you can hit up to drop some knowledge on you - don't worry there's hope. Watching video's to learn something new can be tricky. Just open Youtube & you know what I mean. You can spend way too much time just trying to locate something quality and helpful.

Well, I recently came across this site (and app) called Craftsy. At first I was a bit apprehensive, being a guy and seeing all these sewing and cooking video classes. I'm not Martha Stewart, nor do I have any desire to be. But alas, they offer a bunch in the Fine Arts category. I snagged a holiday offer of %50 off and signed up for a few classes. I've been slowly working my way through, and so far I'm pretty pleased.

So how about it? Are you learning? How have you been acquiring new skills?

If you haven't, maybe this new year is a great time to get back in gear!

Pearl of Potential

Last week, I had the privilege of visiting Pearl Paint art supply store (Canal Street, NYC). Pearl represents a certain nostalgia to me. It was the store that my high school Art teacher, Mr. Hijuelos, spoke of, with a glimmer in his eye. It was the store that I visited to purchase a lot of my art school supplies when attending The Fashion Institute of Technology and The School of Visual Arts. As I climbed the old creaky stairs visiting each floor, a rush of memories flooded back to me about those old days. They were days of eager expectation. Days of wonder and learning. Days of potential and future possibilities.

As I walked the isles, I was thinking about not just products, but tools that could be used to create. Tools that would come to life in the hands of artists. This was more than laptops and software -no cold metal and machine, this was hands on, tactile. And it was wonderful.

It was as if each item called to me. Experiment. Play. See what comes. It's the potential of what could and should be in the art of creating. I even splurged a bit and bought a few clearance item watercolors.

The longer I stayed, the more I was reminded of how much Pearl was an appropriate name. It drew me in and caused me to wonder. To think about my passion, my projects and ideas. Sure, I could probably order most of this stuff on Amazon.com, but I would be robbed of the experience of walking the isles. Interacting with the supplies. The Sights - vivid colors. The Smells. The wonderment of new tools I had never seen before.

If you're an artist, do yourself a favor soon. GO visit a local art store. Drink in the experience. Pick up brushes. Feel paper. Smell the oil pastels. You just might leave more inspired. Not to mention, you might have some new fun tools to experiment with!

Arrival

This piece was inspired by something I read in "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron.

Remember that art is process. The process is supposed to be fun. For our purposes, “the journey is always the only arrival” may be interpreted to mean that our creative work is actually our creativity itself at play in the field of time.

(Cameron, Julia (2002-03-04). The Artist's Way. Penguin Group US.)

And then there was this on Danny Gregory's blog:

Because being an artist is a cause you choose for yourself, the rewards are in the journey, and there is no Promised Land. You have to want to proclaim your vision, to broadcast your voice, to change the world. The finish line doesn’t lie at the doors of the Whitney Biennial, it lies at the grave. Every day is a lesson and a revelation and they follow one after the other to the horizon, providing their own reward.

I was also listening to Switchfoot's song Thrive, where this lyric struck me:

Feel like I travel but I never arrive. I want to thrive not just survive.

Perhaps if you have a divine discontent, a restlessness of the soul, you can relate. I need to constantly remind myself that it's not only about the future, the end result. When the dream is attained. But I need to enjoy the NOW, the journey, even though I know I am undone. So today, I create again. I start the cycle again. And when Today comes to a close, Tomorrow brings a fresh start. And I must begin again. Every day when I awake I am back to zero. It doesn't matter what I did yesterday. The act of creating helps me live in the moment. So, I must keep creating. I want to THRIVE, not just survive.

Art Heist: What I stole from the MoMA

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Modern Art in NYC . I try to go at least twice a year, as it helps refuel me creatively. On this occasion, I was very excited to see the Rene Magritte exhibit. And It did not disappoint. I also found a nice surprise in an exhibit containing some works from Edward Hopper.

But I walked away with more than having just seen some great Art. As I meanedred around the museum drinking everything in, two overarching themes came to mind that I was intent on stealing:

1. Create Powerful Images.

Love him or hate him, Rene Magritte created arresting images that caused you to stop and engage. He played with your expectations and delivered something unique.

2. Tell compelling stories.

Edward Hopper's painting and Etchings are like a snapshot of time. Cinematic in nature, they seem to be telling a larger story that they are inviting you into. Often it leaves you with more questions than answers.

What great insights have you stolen lately?

Empire of Light, Rene Magritte

Principio do Prazer (The Pleasure Principle), Rene Magritte

Not to be reproduced, Rene Magritte

 Night Shadows, Edward Hopper 

New York Movie, Edward Hopper 

Night Windows, Edward Hopper 

Art Process: A Pear of Grapes

Did you ever look at a piece of art and wonder how it got to the finished piece before you? It's a rare thing to see art as it goes through it's various stages. Well, today I'm going to let you in on my process for this watercolor still life I've called "A Pear of Grapes". First, I set up some fruit and lighting (for some drama) to my liking. I knew I wanted a few different areas to avoid everything all clumped in the same place.

Next, I taped down a piece of Watercolor paper (Strathmore 140 lb) to a foam board. I'm using Winsor & Newton brushes and watercolor paints at the moment. Also pictured in a kneaded eraser, an HB Graphite pencil and two plastic jars for water.

I started off with a simple pencil sketch to block out my composition.

Starting with the lightest color, I lay down some wash of watercolor paint.

From there, I move on to add more color and a bit of texture, still keeping things light.

I keep layering to get things a bit darker, while still keeping some light areas.

I work the main subject until I feel like I'm at a good place to switch things up (or waiting for an area to dry before working a bit more).

Now, I lay down some color to the foreground, knowing that I'm going to add more texture so I'm not concerned with getting my watercolor smooth.

I do the same for the background, as well as now going back into my dry areas on the fruit to add more texture and lines. I've also added some darker shadows at this point

Now I apply the texture in the foreground area using a darker hue and more pigment of the watercolor paint.

Then I add a little more texture to the background and foreground. And to put some finishing touches, I use a bit of white Gouache for some highlights.

And there ya have it folks. Hope you enjoyed a little peek into my process!

Two Reasons I Expose Myself Every Day

Now that I've got your attention...

I've often heard people say that you should only show your best work. By doing so you control the image people have of you, and the quality of your work. While I agree it's important to put your best work out there, I disagree with it being the only thing people see.

We live in a world that has convinces us we must manage our image and PR ourselves to be the brightest and the best. Show no flaws. Never let them see you sweat. Believe your own hype. But the problem is, we all know that's false. No one is capable of continuously creating great work without any flaw. No one is perfect, yet that's exactly what we try to portray. Because that's what we've been told and taught. Not convinced? Just look at our filtered Instagram photos or Pinterest boards filled with professionally looking desserts and home made goodies.

I believe there is greater value in being human. Being flawed. Humble. Authentic. Showing a more complete image - the "good" and the "bad".

Now when it comes to showing our art in the internet, I believe it's no different. When I started my goal of doing a drawing (or some form of art) a day back in April, I decided that I was going to go public and expose myself. Expose my art. Gulp. And not just those pieces I felt good about. Everything. So since then I've been posting everything on Instagram. Why?

Two reasons:

1. Dealing with perfectionism. You see, if I gave in to those voices that told me what I was creating was not good enough, continually needed more work, wasn't worthy enough to share, etc. - I wouldn't post anything. Ever. But by choosing to post the "good" and the "bad" I was poking perfectionism in the eye.

2. Being authentic. When you're authentic, you are more approachable by others. They see the great work you do, but also see your struggle, your weaknesses. And because of those things, you are more relatable. How may times have you heard "Oh, I could never be as good as So-and-so... I mean just look at their talent. I'll never be that good." Wouldn't you rather learn from someone who has (and continues) to make mistakes but has learned through those errors him/herself?

I want my art, as well as my life, to be approachable. Relatable. Everyone is on a journey. And that journey has ups and downs. Success and failures. To pick out a few "best of" moments or "Masterpieces" isn't an accurate picture. And most often, just results in frustration and separation.

So I want to challenge you today. Go expose yourself. Show ALL of your work. Be real. Relatable. You just might find you inspire more people with your work and journey.

The pen is mightier than the... pencil?

Back in April, I picked up a book by Danny Gregory called "The Creative License". This was a huge step in reintroducing me to a drawing habit. One of the things he encouraged in his book was to use a pen not a pencil. Why? Because when using a pencil, we have a tendency to make less confident lines, and erase again and again. That coupled with a perfectionist streak can spell trouble for a completed work ever seeing the light of day.

So I took the challenge. At first it was awkward. I wanted to redo some lines and strokes, but had to learn to live with the lines I had made. I had to learn how to make mistakes a part of the beauty of the work. Pen has taught me to make a more confident line. I had poked perfectionism in the eye.

The funny thing is, when i returned to pencil recently, there was less erasing and fretting. Less giving perfectionism a foothold. More confidence.

Back in the day when I first started learning to play guitar, I had an old Yamaha acoustic guitar that had a tree trunk for a neck. At least that's what it felt like. I struggled and filleted my fingers until I had my chord changes down. Over time, I got used to it. And when I got an electric guitar, I marveled at how smooth and easy it was to fret my chords.

Sometimes we need to push ourselves to embrace difficulty, discomfort or resistance. You just might be amazed how it impacts your growth.

What's your next step?

I've been pondering the question of "What's next?" as of late in terms of my passion to create. That is, when I'm not taken in different directions in the busyness of my project lists and the tasks of life. The question is always there in the quietness, when things do finally slow down.

To be honest, I have no big revelations. At least not yet. But what I am convinced of is simply showing up and taking the right next step. Some days that's making sure I get myself in my sketchbook. Or recently, signing up to take a watercolor class (which I'm loving BTW). Still, others days, it's finishing a project I've set out to do (like the art above, commissioned to do based on a page in my sketchbook project) or reading another chapter in The Artist's Way. The only thing that is certain for me is that I must find new ways and opportunities to keep creating more. Creating the stuff that flows out of my heart, and hopefully finds a way to touch someone else.

Part of me feels like it's starting to wake up to more of what could be. I'm leaning into a phrase found in the Bible in the book of Ephesians - Immeasurably more. I want to know what that looks like in my life. For my Art to be immeasurably more that I could ask or imagine - for it to go places and touch people that I don't know.

I'm not talking fame or success. I'm talking usefulness, and being a blessing in some one else's life. I'm not talking grandiose dreams. I'm talking me - fully alive, using my gifts and abilities, and trusting God to use what He desires to - in breathing life into what I create. You might think that's crazy talk. Or prideful. But, you see, for far too long I haven't given my art the value it deserved. And at one point, I almost let it die.

So at this stage in my journey, I'm not interested in "playing" art. I'm interested in real and true creation. Creation that moves me and the people around me. Creation that somehow brings a smile, or a tear, or an acknowledgement of some beauty around us that we miss most of the time. Creation that I'm is born out of passion.

I saw the following video by artist and design Elle Luna (love her name BTW) on a talk she gave entitled "Find Your Must". That's where I am. Where I've been. Where I will continue to be... (at least for a little while I think). Finding and rediscovering my "Must" - what I and only I can & must do.

I resinate with the journey. Maybe you will too. And just maybe it will help you take the right next step on your journey, leading to a new path.

http://vimeo.com/77436516

Embrace the Shake

I came across this TED talk from an amazing artist, Phil Hansen. Instead of trying to dissect this video and make commentary, I'm going to let it speak for itself. It just might be the best 10 minutes of your day. [ted id=1747]

How This Moth Took Flight: My Artist Process

A couple of weeks ago I announced the winner of my contest. Jeannie Pauly (@rovingsprout on Instagram) was the lucky winner with her submission of her huge moth photo.  A perfect Autumn subject (and yes, kinda creepy). The original art will be en route to her this week!

I figured I'd take this opportunity to not only show the final illustration that Jeannie will be receiving but also show a bit of my process. I know that as an artist I love to see other artist's process. So here we go:

First, I go right to drawing out the moth and surrounding pole / background with my Staedler pens (black waterproof ink - 4 pen set sizes .1 .3 .5 .7). I start with a .3 in size and work my way up to a .7 where I want to add a little thicker lines and darker areas. I used to start with pencil, but found that I erased too much & was too noncommittal in my line. I switched it up after reading a book challenging me to go right for pen, as it helps you with more confident line. And it forces you to work with the line you've made, rather than to get stuck in constantly erasing & redrawing, never moving on to the rest of the process.

Then I lay down some watercolors - starting with lighter colors and hues. A little wash here and there. A happy little moth. For brushes, I primarily use water brushes like these. But on this one I also used a few watercolor brushes I have kicking around. Nothing special.

I build that up getting darker and darker, defining more of the shadows.  I have several sets of watercolors I use. It usually is more about selecting the right colors than sticking with a certain brand. I used a few different pan sets for this one. I tend to like colors that pop, and didn't want to keep the brown and almost monotone feel of the original photo.

Then once the watercolors are dry, I'll go back in to a few spots to hit with a darker black Take-sumi ink (that isn't waterproof). I use my TWSBI pen for this finishing touches stage. And, voilà...

And there you have it folks.  Here's the original and the final art! I give you "Moth-er, May I?"

And the Winner is...

Jeannie Pauly! Congrats Jeannie! I'll be working on your sketch in the next week or so.

To everyone else, thanks so much for submitting your photos & being a part of this little experiment of mine.

Jeannie's entry was a HUGE moth from an Instagram photo she titled "nightlife". Speaking of Instagram, follow Jeannie @rovingsprout

 {photo credits: Juditk  /  Jeannie Pauly}

Did the Church Fail Van Gogh?

I've been on a Van Gogh journey for a little over a year now. I realize that as an artist, it's almost cliche to like him. Some might scoff, he's not "indie" enough to like. But I really do appreciate not only his work, but more recently, exploring his story. I have watched several films about his life (most not very good BTW, but I did like Lust for LIfe starring Kirk Douglas & Leonard Nimoy's one man show of Vincent). I have also started reading his biography Van Gogh: The Life (but truth be told I'm finding it a little dense reading).

Something I never heard about Van Gogh in my Art school years was that he was actually in the ministry. As an Artist and Christ follower, my faith has always been an integral part of my work (not always in theme but sometimes in attitude and work ethic). So this particular part of Van Gogh's story was intriguing to me. (Not to mention that I used to hold a pastoral position myself.)

Van Gogh... taught in a Methodist boys' school, and also preached to the congregation. Although raised in a religious family, it wasn't until this time that he seriously began to consider devoting his life to the church. Hoping to become a minister, he prepared to take the entrance exam to the School of Theology in Amsterdam. After a year of studying diligently, he refused to take the Latin exams, calling Latin a "dead language" of poor people, and was subsequently denied entrance. The same thing happened at the Church of Belgium: In the winter of 1878, van Gogh volunteered to move to an impoverished coal mine in the south of Belgium, a place where preachers were usually sent as punishment. He preached and ministered to the sick, and also drew pictures of the miners and their families, who called him "Christ of the Coal Mines." The evangelical committees were not as pleased. They disagreed with van Gogh's lifestyle, which had begun to take on a tone of martyrdom. They refused to renew van Gogh's contract, and he was forced to find another occupation.

(Source Biography.com)

Van Gogh's relationship with the Church was rocky for sure. He was a rebel. Stubborn. He didn't play by the rules. The life he wanted to lead didn't match the code the Church demanded for him. Did you catch this: The evangelical committees were not as pleased. (Ah, yes the "Committees".) So, they fired him.

Did the Church fail Van Gogh or did Van Gogh fail the Church? Perhaps both. Van Gogh's life and story is fraught with strife and struggle. He was far from perfect. But the same goes for the Church. It's very complicated and I don't mean to skim surface issues to reach my own conclusions, but it made me wonder what would have happened if Van Gogh never left ministry. Would the world ever know his name or his art?

Van Gogh's life and story prompts me to consider a few things further: What can Artists who are Christians learn from his story and interaction with the Church? What can the Church learn about Artists and how to help them find their place in the Church?

{Image: Van Gogh's The Church at Auvers}

Getting Past the Suck of Stuck

Today I was feeling stuck. I know it happens to everyone, but it's still frustrating. For me, if I miss a day or two of drawing lately it proves to be a somewhat painful reentry. When I'm ready (and desiring), I crave out some time to draw only to be faced with a sort of paralysis. I don't know what to draw. Where do I start? Nothing seems appealing or interesting. I have the internal argument with myself, all while the clock ticks. I can't summon the nerve to draw the people who sit closest to me. I find the furniture around me boring. I've drawn that particular subject before. On and on it goes.

Today, an hour passed while I argued with myself. An hour. I could have done something in that time. Or several somethings. Finally, I had to determine to just draw the thing right in front of me. An empty Starbucks comfy chair. I had drawn this before. But today I had to quiet the resistance and just draw. Do SOMETHING. Act. And it's in this acting that something really does happen. The voice shuts up. You focus. Paralysis is shed. And you create.

It's not a masterpiece by any means, but sometimes it's not just about the result of what you create but how you got there. I was close to packing it in and not creating anything today. But i pushed through. A small victory for sure, but a victory none the less.

Something's Sketchy

If you've been following me for any length of time, you know that I've recently renewed my love for drawing. I've been filling up art journals like crazy and posting my sketches on the web. Part of the challenge is to keep finding interesting subjects to draw, whether from real life or photo reference. That's where you come in...

I want to invite you to be a part of the process. Are you ready?

Here's your chance to pitch something for me to sketch. Between today and September 15th, 2013, I will be accepting photos from you - things you want me to sketch. After all the submissions are in, I will randomly pick a winner and sketch their subject matter. When I finish, I will post it here and on Twitter/Instagram and then will mail the lucky winner the original artwork!

Are you in?

A few rules:

** Open to US only. I'm paying the shipping charges :)

1. You MUST enter a comment below introducing yourself - your name, where you are from, a twitter name / website and why you want to be the lucky winner.

2. Email me (MBsketchme at gmail dot com) ONE image only (must be your own image - no googling images or stealing from others).

3. Image specs: must be a high resolution and clear image. I need to be able to see details!

4. Image content: NO Explicit images! // No landscapes or crowds // Iconic images work best (IE - an object or person, part(s) of a person, animal, plant. machine, etc) Look at my sketches to see the types of things I've done.

5. The final artwork will be my artistic interpretation (I may exercise "artists rights" to crop or colorize, etc.). Ink & Watercolor medium. Final dimensions TBD but will be no bigger than 8.5 x 11.

6. There is nothing legally binding about any of this. It's just pure fun!

 

You must abide by all rules to have a valid entry! Good Luck!

Creative Tools

I love hearing about new tools to use in my creative endeavors. Perhaps you're the same. Sometimes using a new tool can open up a world of new creative expression. A few people were asking me about what I use to create those illustrations in my art journal. While this is by no means a complete set, the following are some of the tools i'm messing around with currently.

What's in my new creative bag:

1. A set of color Pilot V Razor Points.

2. A no-name pan watercolor set I've had for years (large white one shown) and a Peacock watercolor set that was my sisters from the 80's. (Made by Binney & Smith, turns out to be "vintage")

3. A new Winsor & Newton Cotman pan watercolor travel kit.

4. Giant binder clips to help with holding wet pages down.

5. A set of Staedtler liner pens (0.1 mm, 0.3mm, 0.5mm and 0.7mm).

6. Two Moleskine Classic sketchbooks larger & smaller (these are from old days. Not really liking the Moleskine reissues though).

7. A black Sharpie. (always helpful)

8. A cheapo no-name brush.

9. Three waterbrushes - two Niji Large Waterbrush and one Sakura Small Waterbrush

10. Kamset pocket pan watercolor set (no link available)

11. Recollections watercolor pencils (bought from Michael's)

12. Canvas carry case for pencils & misc.

13. Pencil sharpener.

The contents will probably change up (I don't have any graphite pencil sets, charcoal or pastels in here currently) but that is it for now.

Do you have a creative toolkit?

What's in your bag? Share some of your own favorite tools below!

The Journey

Art isn't a result; it's a journey. The challenge of our time is to find a journey worthy of your heart and your soul.

Godin, Seth (2012-12-31). The Icarus Deception: How High Will You Fly? 
(Kindle Locations 228-229). Penguin Group US. Kindle Edition.

{Photo Credit}

The "H" Word

Hobby.

It's become a dirty word.

"I'm not a professional, or even an amateur. I'm a hobbiest."

I don't know about you, but growing up the word hobby always had a "lesser than" connotation. People would say things like "Oh it's great you like to do that. It makes a great hobby. But what are you going to do for a career? To make money". It was all very patronizing. And then the strong internal sense of responsibility comes along and puts hobby in a stranglehold. Because really, who has time for a hobby? There's too much to do. Too much to accomplish. There are bills to pay.

The problem with this thinking is that you end up eliminating something that feeds your soul. Something that make you feel alive. And in turn, that effects your work life, relationships - the whole of your life.

I think sometimes Art is put into this lesser than category by well intentioned adults when speaking to kids. After all, the world doesn't need any more "starving artists". Perhaps art should be kept as a hobby. (Which there's nothing wrong with, as not everyone should become an artist as a career). I know far too many people who like to create art in some way, but it got sequestered to the back burner of hobby only to no longer see the light of day. Perhaps, once in the proverbial blue moon, it comes out and is met with comments like "You know, I really should start doing this again. Perhaps someday..."

I love the way Austin Kleon describes a hobby it in his book "Steal Like an Artist":

It’s so important to have a hobby. A hobby is something creative that’s just for you. You don’t try to make money or get famous off it, you just do it because it makes you happy. A hobby is something that gives but doesn’t take.

Kleon, Austin (2012-02-28). Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative (Kindle Locations 334-336). Workman Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.

Even though I'm a "professional" artist, there are some art forms for me that I consider hobbies. And I have learned the art of doing them just for me. And I'm much better for it.

What about you? Do you have a hobby (or hobbies) that you keep up with regularly? What makes you feel alive?

{photo credit}