How many times have we heard the expression, ‘Learning Through Play’?
Well, it’s true – we do learn through play. I’ll pop in some of my ‘play’ pieces.
Early childhood educators will attest that play is a valuable learning tool, but it really is the same for textile and fibre artists too.
Sometimes we need to get back into that childlike way of being able to relax and cavort a little with our work, extend ideas, and problem-solve without duress.
Remember Picasso’s quote? ‘It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child’.
It’s about taking some time off occasionally with no pressure or expectation of preconceived outcomes and simply playing like we used to do.
Here’s a favourite artist of mine, Helen Wells’s YouTube channel. Helen knows how to have fun and create amazing art at the same time.
And as you play, ideas come and sometimes, sadly, ideas also go.
But those that remain often lead somewhere – and there’s the magic.
It’s a time to be curious, try new products, new materials, and new tools as well as combine them with your new ideas within your already established aesthetic.
Picasso also said this: ‘All children are born artists and then they grow out of it’.
Let’s not grow out of that amazing child-like wonder because it’s special.
Get in touch with your inner child and reclaim the simple pleasure most of us experienced playing with paint and paper or coloured pencils.
Don’t think, simply play.
Set aside time and let yourself go.
No expectations, no pressures – just fun.
Maybe you’ll walk away with some different mark-making ideas that can lead your work in another direction – or perhaps you’ll simply end up with loads of coloured and painted papers you can use for some amazing collage work.
Don’t think.
Just do and have fun.
All views and opinions expressed are my own, except where acknowledged information is included from other sources.