Lately, I have been playing and experimenting with digital art. I love learning and this has been a blast!! Initially it was a bit frustrating and difficult. Never the less, the more I kept at it and embraced my botched up sketches, bad color combos, and hours of pushing through, I realized the joy is in the journey. Little by little, I improved and was even able to create some fun holiday ornament designs. I'm glad I kept going. I have so much more to learn and a lot more skills to acquire. The messy middle is so worth it!
It’s kind of crazy how we put harsh expectations on ourselves when it comes to our creativity. Like, every single piece we make has to be a masterpiece. Honestly, that’s such a heavy way to approach it. I don’t know about you, but it makes me feel stuck.
Let's reframe our approach.
Let go of all those expectations and just play—when you approach your art like it’s a fun experiment rather than a high-stakes performance—everything changes. You’re no longer worrying about what the end result will look like; you’re just enjoying the process of making.
And here’s the truth.
Play doesn’t mean you’re being lazy or “wasting time.” It’s actually a deep part of the creative process. When you give yourself permission to mess around, try new things, or even make “mistakes,” you’re opening the door to new ideas and techniques that you might never have discovered otherwise.
Think about it.
Some of the coolest art comes from moments when an artist wasn’t trying to do anything perfect—they were just exploring. It’s like those “happy accidents” that turn into something amazing.
So, when was the last time you let yourself fail a little and just had fun?
You might be thinking, “Okay, but how is having fun really going to help me be a better artist?” Trust me, it sounds counterintuitive, but it works. When you bring fun into the mix, it actually unlocks your creativity.
It let's you off the hook. If you’re constantly worried about being perfect, it’s impossible to just create. Play takes away that burden and allows you to relax. And when you’re relaxed, that’s when the good stuff happens sparking new ideas.
When you’re playing around with materials or techniques you’re not used to, things get interesting. You might find yourself doing something unexpected, and that’s when those “wow” moments happen.
We tend to beat ourselves up when something doesn’t turn out the way we wanted it to. But in play, mistakes aren’t failures—they’re part of the process. They lead to new discoveries and push you to think in different ways, so lean into them.
When you allow yourself to enjoy the process again, without needing to deliver something amazing every single time, it keeps your creative energy flowing and builds your confidence in your artistic expression. You start trusting that it’s okay to try something different, or not know where you’re going with a piece. And that confidence is what makes your art unique.
So start playing without a plan.
One of the best ways to embrace play is to just start making without any expectations of what the final piece should look like.
Pick up your paintbrush, your pen, or your clay, and just see what happens. No pressure, no rules.
Try new materials or techniques. Step out of your comfort zone. If you usually paint, try sketching or working with charcoal. If you’ve never tried digital art, give it a shot. New materials or techniques can shake up your routine and open your mind to fresh possibilities.
Don't forget to collaborate. Sometimes, the most fun comes from making art with others. It is a powerful experience being in a group that has the creative vibes flowing. You learn, encourage, laugh and inspire one another in a safe space.
Now my friend, get your supplies out on a daily basis, make messes, have FUN and grow your creativity into the big beautiful artsy flower it can be!