7 Reasons to Do Art in the Margins

In the margins of our days, in pockets of time that might otherwise go unnoticed, we can make small changes that enrich our lives. Writing, doodling and sketching (no matter if you think you can or think you cannot) are perfect for these little time pockets.

 

I've been working on a series of mandalas (aka doodling) for a few weeks while the kids are bathing each evening. Here's an in-process shot of a quirky "Dr. Seuss Mandala" in a 5x8" watercolor moleskine, drawn in Sakura microns.

7 Reasons to Do Art (however you define art & margins):

1. To focus on drawing and the movement of the pen/brush/thread so mind and muscles relax
2. To pass time that could be stressful, in a hospital waiting room, during chemo treatments, waiting for "results" for this or that
3. To pass time that could be boring, your child's 346th gymnastics class, waiting at the auto registration/passport office/bank/for a friend, in a carpool queue, in a train station, on an airplane
4. To take your mind off serious matters, approvals, acceptances, layoffs, pain, health problems, difficult people, waiting for the baby to settle into a nap
5. To focus on something other than what you are waiting for, like a phone call or a meeting
6. To be productive while doing something else, watching TV, on a conference call, listening to a podcast, on the phone with your aunt bethildalia from Erie.
7. To make time seem to pass more quickly

The idea is to use time that would simply pass us by and turn it into a creative work. Take ownership of your life's moments.

More ideas...

• Got 20 Minutes? Find Creativity
• Inspiration: Doodling & Imagery
• Abstract Art: Imagery & Doodling

Other fun stuff...

• The Flickr Scribble Project Club
• B & W doodles from Simon Wild
• Kris's Color Stripes
• Saints & Pinners for fabric and pattern inspiration

Comments

[Trish]

I created an artsy to do list during tubbie time last night!

Using a purple marker and lady bug stickers for bullets, I made a list of blog post ideas :)

[Fiona]

Couldn't agree more. I put down a huge improvement and confidence in my drawing to the 5 minutes of sketching while waiting for the kids at school. I take my sketchbook everywhere in cas eof a few spare minutes. Never thought of bath time - that's a good one!