Don't Forget to Play

A week ago I attended a local artist's (Lesley Shaw) drypoint workshop. I brought an old piece of illustration that I created over a decade ago, a piece I honestly never thought I'd rework.

I had so much fun with the drypoint technique, a manual print method that recreates and revives the artwork with each print. Every step matters: how you plan the amount of ink, the texture you create with your tools, and the pressure of the press. Because of this, every print is different and unique. The moment of revealing each print is exciting, like opening a Christmas present. You never know what surprising result you’ll get, even though they’re all from the same plate.

This process made me realise how much joy I had been missing.

For my last print, I decided to leave the ink around the drawing to give it a darker background, while cleaning up the center. Lesley, the artist hosting the workshop, said, "Oh, that's a good idea, I never thought of that." We were both very pleased with how the print came out.

This was the moment I realized I had never truly given myself permission to "play"-permission to create, allowing for mistakes and imperfect accidents along the way.

To be a creative, one needs to be fueled by different forms of creativity. Living life serves as an observation for truly insightful ideas. We're all moving too fast with tools that are too refined, and in doing so, we might have forgotten the raw energy and perfection found in imperfection.

It reminded me of what Paula Scher once said in a TED Talk: "My work is play, and I design when I play." That's what led her to create such unique work.

Let's don't forget to play!