Tale-ing Fragments #9: artist, be you

I think that one of the best things I've learned lately is the importance of play. You know how they say that kids learn about the world through playing? Well, it works for art too :) The more you play the more you understand your medium, material and personal style. It's nothing new, really, we all know the saying "practice makes perfect", right? But I feel there's a difference. I've never really liked "practice makes perfect", for one thing - I rather like imperfections, but more importantly it suggests a specific outcome goal that would make everything better, but what if you find something on the way you like even more? That's why I like "playing" better, it's still trying out stuff, but it gives much more room to follow what ever happy (or not-so-happy) accidents happen along the way. I know it's just words, but let's face it, "practice" sounds like homework, "playing" sounds like fun, and it is!
This collage is one result of my recent playtime. It, and the above "I like playing" monologue, are largely inspired by Tim Holtz's FB live demos. There's something amazingly inspiring about seeing someone doing and sharing what he loves, his enthusiasm and joy is visible and catching. He always says we should play more, and if my Instagram feed is any indication - we do (check out the timholtzdemo hashtag to see how many are playing along!).
I've been making these Tale-ing Fragments for a while now, and they're usually a form of collage, so I decided to try and make one without pre-planing, just play and see what happens. To give myself a start point, I took up Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge blog's theme "It's a man thing", and added my own theme - art. I picked this youth from the Found Relatives pics, doesn't he looks like a dreamer? I think so. I also think he looks a bit sad, like maybe things didn't quite go as he hoped.

That gave me a snippet of his story, so I found some texts that would fit. I usually use a sentence or two, but I like how the texts in this collage tell a story without... well, telling it XD

I used washi tapes, stenciled fabric and stamps in the background and purposely kept most of these elements in subtle coloring so that the colors of "painting" background really pops. It was made with one of my favorite Simon Says stamp stencil and distress crayons. I love how the crayons catch the brushstroke texture from the base, and their colors are so rich!

Most of the coloring in this piece was made with crayons, which amazes me because just a few weeks back I never would have used them like this, they were accent paint for me, but now - oh the possibilities...

This collage resonates things I felt over the years, questioning myself or having to answer to others' questioning. It's relevant to so many aspects of life, but when creating it's almost always there, it's just part of the process I guess. It does take courage to be you, and not only in art, but in the creative process I find that playing really helps, if only because when I call it play I don't take myself too seriously and just have fun. I don't know about you, but I learn and do a lot better when I'm having fun ;)

Hope you're all safe and well, 

xx

Naama

click for the challenge and awesome inspiration🤎