Today I'm thinking about Shel Silverstein. Given t

Today I'm thinking about Shel Silverstein. Given the date, I chose this gem to share. Full credit below.

I've been thinking a lot about creativity and play and how hard it is for so many adults to relax and have fun creating things. There's a lot of worry about the OUTCOME and what OTHER PEOPLE WILL THINK, and all sorts of internal pressures from the voices we've collected over the X number of years of our lives. It's sad to think about how many fantastic opportunities and experiences we miss out on because of all of this pressure and noise.

Which brings me to Shel Silverstein. His poetry is delightful, not just for kids but for adults. It's silly. It's irreverent. But, most importantly, it's unexpected. He has a way of following a narrative along a clearly marked path and then suddenly making a sharp right turn. It might be just enough to make you chuckle or smirk. It might also make you stop and wonder, "Wait. Did he really go there?" Either way, you definitely haven't ended up where you thought you'd be when you started. It's a freeing way to look at the world.

So, for my fellow artists and my fellow makers and even those of us who want to be makers and artists but aren't ready yet, today I encourage you to take a page from Shel Silverstein. What if you step outside your comfort zone? What if you push that boundary? What if you do something unexpected without worrying about what someone else will think? What if you refuse to self-critique? What could you make? What will you make?

Happy Valentine's Day to you all. Go make something awful. Or awesome. Just put it out there.

And if you haven't read Shel Silverstein lately, go dust off your books - or grab one from the library - and take a little time getting reacquainted!

Source: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein (HarperCollins Publishers, 1974).

#indigowhimsy #whimsy #shelsilverstein #makingunexpectedart #setcreativityfree #makesomething

One of the "failed" test canvases. This one has a

One of the "failed" test canvases. This one has a tissue paper layer on top of the canvas. I loved the texture the tissue paper gave to the acrylic inks, but decided that attaching tissue to a 10-foot canvas was not something I wanted to do. Also, I was still struggling with colors that were too vibrant for the project. Excited to use this gem for something else, though.

#artexperimenting #indigowhimsy #indigo #acrylicink #collageart

Did I overcomplicate this project? Of course. Was

Did I overcomplicate this project? Of course. Was it worth it? Definitely. So much fun today with @vintagepagedesigns and some #handmadebookclub members. Watch til the end for the final reveal!

Can't imagine a better way to spend a Monday morning than being creative with some awesome women.

[Also, after YEARS of being annoyed at people recording sideways on their phones, I never remember to record in portrait orientation for Instagram.]

#collaborativeart #indigowhimsy #whimsy #paintedcanvas #bookcovers #markmaking #acrylicink #womensupportingwomen #smallbusiness

Such a fun afternoon gel printing with Patti! @gy

Such a fun afternoon gel printing with Patti! @gyotakuandmore

#indigowhimsy #whimsy #gelprinting
#artenabler #makersgonnamake #connectingcreatives #artexploration

Happy New Year! I want to give a special shout out

Happy New Year! I want to give a special shout out to my fellow creative entrepreneurs. Running your own business requires so many different skill sets and it's not all just the fun stuff. I see you. May you have a rewarding, balanced, and joyful 2025!

Last year was a year was a year of transition, learning, and growth for me. And while 2025 will likely have more of the same, I'm also looking forward to putting that learning into action. This world isn't always as wonderful as it could be, but I'm just going to do my part to shift things in a positive way.

I can't wait to see what all of you will create this year! Bring on the magic!

#indigowhimsy #whimsy #smallbusiness #solopreneur #creativebusiness #bethechange #makeyourownmagic #manifestingjoy

Had some pre-Christmas crafting fun with colors I

Had some pre-Christmas crafting fun with colors I don't normally choose. Kind of loving these sunset-inspired papers!

Hope everyone had a lovely holiday week...

#indigowhimsy #whimsy #paperarts #dyedandgonetoheaven #collagefodder #warmcolors

You can take the girl out of the studio, but you c

You can take the girl out of the studio, but you can't take the studio out of the girl. Even on retreat, I'm spreading the art love. It's an impromptu stamp carving party!

#indigowhimsy #whimsy #stampcarving #maineretreat #artretreat #indigowhimsystudio #artenabler #themakercircle

I'm thankful for the emotional, mental, and physic

I'm thankful for the emotional, mental, and physical space to explore the art forms that call to me. I know not everyone has that choice.

If you have the option to follow your passions/joys/callings, take advantage of it. Don't let the opportunity pass you by.

#thanksgiving #indigo #indigowhimsy #artistlife #embracethejourney #followyourjoy

I might be obsessed with making these little marbl

I might be obsessed with making these little marbled trees...
#whimsy #indigowhimsy #acrylicmarbling #merrychristmas #winterwonderland

It might be the biggest understatement of the year

It might be the biggest understatement of the year to say that I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed by the lack of empathy and care. I'm disappointed by the me-ism. I'm disappointed by the lies. But most of all, I'm disappointed by the fact that I'm not surprised. I didn't expect us to be better than this.

I took a day off to focus on the beautiful things in life instead of dwelling on the yuck of it all. Now I'm back in it, doing what I can to make the tiny changes that build up over time. We may have taken one step back. But one thing is certain... we'll take two steps forward again. We always do.

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