As I try to start this post, my toddler is exploring the wonders of a drill. A real, live drill. Obviously, we removed all the bits and things that could hurt. So it’s just something that turns (torque down), lights up, and makes noise. But boy, is it fascinating. She is learning through messing around with this thing. Which is exactly what play is. So yes, play is a big part of my daily life! For sure, my children are a big part of that, but even before I had kids, I was interested in the spirituality of play. It’s not only kids who learn through play, we adults would do well to make it a practice for ourselves, too!
I am at my most creative musically and artistically when I have sat down with the intention of play. Improvising music is a scary thing for me, but it’s a skill I’ve cared about for a long time. I think if I heard someone else improvising the way I do, I think I’d be impressed! But since I’m the one listening to me… I am always convinced I’m not very good. And maybe I’m not! But playing with sound, with notes, and with time is still worthwhile. It’s our right to just… make something. I do this much more easily in the visual arts. For Christmas, my wonderful husband got me a bunch of watercolor supplies. It’s easier (though not always) to turn off my analytical brain and just let creativity start flowing. That is, after all, what I think play is about.
Here’s two examples of me playing around on my iPad with Procreate. You can really see how many different things I try out. In both videos, I’m starting with squiggles on top of a palette of colors I liked. Twice, I literally closed my eyes to try to get random squiggles. In the second video, I was taking a class on neurographic art, and so my first line drawing changed after seeing what others were doing and discussing the process in the class.
Play is important to both of us! 😄
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Play is about turning off the judgmental side of our brains in favor of experimentation. And that always opens us up to mistakes and even failure! It’s inherent in the act. Of course there are ways to play that have nothing to do with success or failure, but since I largely deal in the arts, and in the arts we are taught how to do things well, I still orient myself to the language of success/failure. It’s something I’m working on. In fact, I am sure I am not the only person who wants to play more, and judge less, so in this next year I aim to offer different ways to play in the arts. Maybe a membership community, maybe online meet-ups, maybe a class? I am not sure yet. I have a lot of ideas I need to play around with more. 😉 How do you like to play?
Actually an Artist 
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