How often do we associate play with children? I have been realising more lately, that part of being a happy adult is playing, and perhaps for some, even learning to play all over again. We can watch children playing, and be amazed at how creative a child can be. As children we learnt about the world around us by playing, but as we grew older that instinctive play occurred less and less as we learnt to think, to reason.. and somewhere our intellect took over!
I have found over and over that thinking about something I'm going to create, trying to produce an artwork from my mind just leads me to frustration. For me, the best artworks always come about as a direct result of playing, experimenting - its often when I'm not even thinking about what I am doing, when my brain is in a semi meditative state that something amazing just evolves!
The ability to play is essential to being an artist, so lets remember to have fun, to do something we enjoy - to maintain a playful, creative spirit that doesn't put any restrictions on our imagination - to play!
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I think that it's sad adults are expected to give up playing. I used to pass through parks wanting to do somersaults and climb trees but wouldn't for fear of looking silly. The great thing about having kids is that I can do these things (and more!) and I'm just being a 'good mom'. ha!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more about play! You have such a way with words.
ReplyDeleteOh Sarah so true - I am always the 'big kid' who has to climb the tree, or play on the swings - for my last birthday my husband took me to an animal farm for kids - Everyone else there was at least a quarter of my age, but I'm sure I had the most fun! I wonder what I'll be like when I have kids. Haha :)
ReplyDeleteAnd Cathy.. Last night, I struggled to write my thoughts in a way that others could understand, so I'm glad it came across ok! I'm out of practice with words, but I'd like to start writing more - To play with words could I say.. while we're on the topic :)