Not a masterpiece but a pretty mess

Whenever I’m stressed out, Kevin’s go to suggestion is to do arts and crafts. A lot of times, I come up with an excuse. There are a lot of problems (insert relaxation method) doesn’t solve. But solutions sometimes aren’t what we need. Change, however small, can be the answer. We went to an art sale at the park the other day and on the way back stopped by the art supply store, me finally heeding his advice. It’s one of those legit art stores. Nothing crafty about it. I mean, I love paints but those tubes of color are intimidating. I thought I’d try my hand at pastels, like I have many times before, one of my favorite materials as a kid… Second only to watercolor.

Monday was as Monday often is, so I took a break for pastels. My choices were mini canvases or lined paper. It was almost frustrating how hard it was to force my hands to create with these. It wasn’t just that I didn’t have the technique, but that I had no ideas. Nothing was flowing from me. At one point, I began writing with them, because sometimes it’s all I know how to do. I was writing art manifestos before I knew it. In the end, there was no masterpiece. No finished product. Just color and effort. Like a kid completing an assignment in class, not even sure themselves of what they’ve done. The process of creation is humbling. Sometimes the pretty mess is all you’re left with.

PS: Thank you to those of you who read my journaling post the other day. I’m working on a journaling project I’ll share next week so if you’re interested in possibly being a part of it, please do check back!