It's Playtime

When was the last time you played with no agenda, no outcome required, and just faffed around? As each year passes into adulthood, we are less likely to experience a time of play as priorities and responsibilities change.

Spending time doing something fun without any particular required outcome, or faffing about, I like to call it, is relaxing and can be very cathartic. 

As an artist, we are encouraged to play, experiment and just let go of the outcome.  This weekend  I spent time in my studio and decided to have a play with my watercolours. Throwing on some colour in my sketchbook and letting it dry, I looked at what I could make of the wash  I had laid down.  I had no intention for what I was doing, I had no desired outcome, I was going to play. 

Allowing time to experiment, play and let go of outcomes can lead to some amazing discoveries. I mostly use a sketchbook for any playtime and can reference anything I have done that I can use in future artwork. Enjoying the moment and letting go of the outcome can be so rewarding on so many levels. 
My hubby likes to get out in the garden and move things around, pot up plants, change locations of items and spend time experimenting with what looks good and what he can do to improve an area.  There isn't any specific outcome in mind, just time lost in his thoughts and in the garden.

Whether it be in the art studio, the garden, tinkering in the shed or fussing in a craft room, the joy of playing can't be beaten.  

Do you take time to play without a specific outcome? Leave a comment below to share what you do.

Featured Artwork: A pen and wash, from my watercolour sketchbook

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