When was the last time you broke out your crayons and colored? You know, like in a coloring book? Like how you did it when you were a kid? Do you remember? Did you color inside the lines? Did you make up your own stuff or use a pre-drawn book? Did you have the big box or the small box? Did it have a sharpener built right into the box?
Yea. I know. It's been a million years, huh?
Well then. Maybe you outta go git yerself a box of Crayolas and git to it! Why? Well, I'm so glad you asked.
I'm not one of those who "knows" how to paint or draw or sculpt or sketch. I'm working on it, but I've never been a "natural". I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I never took the time to learn. 'Course most artists I know never really "learned" either. Which is what makes them artists. But that's not the point. I really do love to make stuff. I'm good with wood and words. But the other mediums have mostly been too daunting. Don't ask me why. Don't have a clue. But sometimes when you have the courage to just try something new, all kinds of strange and wonderful things show up. For example: a while back I bought this book called "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain". In this book, the author (who is an actual artist and professor of art) gives her insights on using the other side of your brain to draw creativity from. Being the logical kinda gal I am, I thought it'd be cool to give it a go. And guess what? I'm pretty darned good at it! Imagine that!
Anywayz...I began working my way through this fabuloso book and then a friend of mine, who is a wonderful writer and a writing coach, sent me this cool email with a bunch of her own drawings that she left uncolored. She suggested we print them out and get to filling them in. She suggested crayons, water paints, colored pencils, or whatever else we might have on hand. The moment I read the missive I thought, "HOLY CRAP! I HAVEN'T COLORED IN EONS!" So I dashed down to the local Target and got me a big box of crayons. Came home and got busy. Before I knew it, 2 hours had passed and I was in a state of meditative bliss. No kidding. I had spent 2 whole hours without a single bothersome thought. Not a stitch of pain in my body. Not a hint of angst to be found. I had effectively brought myself into a place of deep, happy calm. All with a box of crayons and a bunch of drawings. I was stunned!
I went back and re-read what Jill had written. And, not surprisingly, she was correct on all counts. She had suggested that coloring would unleash all kinds of creativity. And put you in a place of playful childhood. And make you happy. And a whole bunch of other stuff too. Like I said: correct on all counts.
So I thought I'd offer a little nudge for ya here. I thought it might be fun to see just how many of you might actually do it. And, of course, I'd be over-the-top-thrilled if you'd let me know. If you want, you can even send me your finished goodies. I'll post them here for all the world to see (if you want). But that's not the important part. The important part is to get you to playin' again. Play. Play. PLAY! You might just surprise yourself too.
Go on. Get those crayons out and COLOR!
Yea. I know. It's been a million years, huh?
Well then. Maybe you outta go git yerself a box of Crayolas and git to it! Why? Well, I'm so glad you asked.
I'm not one of those who "knows" how to paint or draw or sculpt or sketch. I'm working on it, but I've never been a "natural". I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I never took the time to learn. 'Course most artists I know never really "learned" either. Which is what makes them artists. But that's not the point. I really do love to make stuff. I'm good with wood and words. But the other mediums have mostly been too daunting. Don't ask me why. Don't have a clue. But sometimes when you have the courage to just try something new, all kinds of strange and wonderful things show up. For example: a while back I bought this book called "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain". In this book, the author (who is an actual artist and professor of art) gives her insights on using the other side of your brain to draw creativity from. Being the logical kinda gal I am, I thought it'd be cool to give it a go. And guess what? I'm pretty darned good at it! Imagine that!
Anywayz...I began working my way through this fabuloso book and then a friend of mine, who is a wonderful writer and a writing coach, sent me this cool email with a bunch of her own drawings that she left uncolored. She suggested we print them out and get to filling them in. She suggested crayons, water paints, colored pencils, or whatever else we might have on hand. The moment I read the missive I thought, "HOLY CRAP! I HAVEN'T COLORED IN EONS!" So I dashed down to the local Target and got me a big box of crayons. Came home and got busy. Before I knew it, 2 hours had passed and I was in a state of meditative bliss. No kidding. I had spent 2 whole hours without a single bothersome thought. Not a stitch of pain in my body. Not a hint of angst to be found. I had effectively brought myself into a place of deep, happy calm. All with a box of crayons and a bunch of drawings. I was stunned!
I went back and re-read what Jill had written. And, not surprisingly, she was correct on all counts. She had suggested that coloring would unleash all kinds of creativity. And put you in a place of playful childhood. And make you happy. And a whole bunch of other stuff too. Like I said: correct on all counts.
So I thought I'd offer a little nudge for ya here. I thought it might be fun to see just how many of you might actually do it. And, of course, I'd be over-the-top-thrilled if you'd let me know. If you want, you can even send me your finished goodies. I'll post them here for all the world to see (if you want). But that's not the important part. The important part is to get you to playin' again. Play. Play. PLAY! You might just surprise yourself too.
Go on. Get those crayons out and COLOR!
1 comment:
C,
I had this same experience while in Oklahoma last week. Sweetie was coloring with a little kid. I sat down to watch and before I knew it I'd picked up a Crayon and started coloring too. It was very peaceful! Who knew?!
Post a Comment