Finding the Joy in Art Making

Fence Rubbing

Rubbing of an old wooden frame

When our grandson was young, I used to pick him up from school once a week. Weather permitting, I would walk to the school and we walked home together. Ryan liked me to plan projects. So one day I prepared by adding some crayons and plain paper to his art bag, which I brought along on our walks. Sometimes we would sketch together but on that day it was cold, so my plan was to introduce him to ‘fence rubbings’.
   
Ryan loved this project. It only took one quick demo and then he was rubbing everything in sight. He came away with some wonderful impressions. Fence knotholes made the best subjects although we rubbed sidewalks, trees, sides of buildings, car tail pipes and more.
   
Later, I asked him what we should do with his rubbings. He shrugged his shoulders, and said I could have them. It surprised me that he wasn’t at all interested in the product, it was the process that had fascinated him.
   
On this day, I was reminded about the importance of process. Too often we are so caught up in making a product that we forget to relax and find joy in the process. Something as simple as making rubbings can be used as a creative activity to explore our surroundings, and to stretch our artistic boundaries. One never knows where these activities can lead. My fence rubbings turned into backgrounds for Artist Trading Cards.

What can you do today to expand your creative boundaries? Perhaps it could be something as simple as freely applying colour to canvas, or to watercolour paper. Or perhaps, when the weather warms, you might like to explore fence rubbings.

I'd like to hear from you. How do you find your joy in making art?