I’m not playful. I love work and I take it way too seriously. But, I’m learning that an art practice without play becomes lean and anemic. So, I’ve been experimenting with lightening up.
My art business is made up of two mediums; block printing (logos, stickers, cards, etc) and oil portrait painting. They stay in their own lanes at all times, and I really want the two to learn to work together. Which is why I’m playing.
My goal is to combine the two mediums. I imagine a realistic oil portrait set against a block printed background. Simple graphics contrasted with believable skin tones.
As it turns out- that takes a lot of thinking, and planning, and discussing with other artist, and carving, and experimenting. Which they tell me is called ‘play’.
And I like it.
I’m not going to tell you to ‘go out and play’ because nobody likes to be bossed around. But, if you’re like me and have been considering taking off the ‘serious work hat’ for a bit and trying on the ‘lighten up and play hat’ for a while- I’d highly recommend it!
