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Bex Hall > Art Projects > The wonder of enthusiasm

The wonder of enthusiasm

February 28, 2021

Artistic, creative expression and experimentation feeds joy

Ellie’s hands

So lucky to have my 7-year-old granddaughter Ellie in the studio today. She discovered the wonder of watercolor powders and a spray bottle. The magic of a heat gun’s effects on a wet index card; the curling action is wizardry. That it’s okay to have stained fingers, and elbows, and hands.

Most importantly, that she did not need permission. She asked if she could pick up the paper and let the water drip. If she could use any color she wanted. If it was good to mix pan with powder, fingers or brush.

My answer every time was “Let’s find out.” Eventually she stopped asking and she simply dove in with wanton abandonment.

In the studio

She has beginner’s mind and enthusiasm has very little space in a culture that expects perfection, mastery, and control. Enthusiasm is messy, exuberant, and irrational. But most of all it’s full of joy.

“The grace to be a beginner is always the best prayer for an artist. Exploration leads to accomplishment. All of it begins at the beginning, with the first small and scary step.”

—Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way

She made lots of paintings this morning and now needs a cork board in her room to post them. Just like Mimi.

You KNOW where I’m going today and what I’m going to pick up for her. 

I hope today you share your enthusiasm with others and approach your work with wanton abandonment!

Ellie’s and Mimi’s hands

Filed Under: Art Projects Tagged With: creative life, in the studio today, the 100 day project

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Bex is an artist who writes and a writer who arts. She creates in Studio BE overlooking the Ohio River.

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  • Goals for The 100 Day Project

    Show up every day behind the pen, the brush, or the lens and share my work.

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