What is the last thing you “made”? ✨ A photograph? A painting? A coffee? Having an art making practice in your life is so valuable. It doesn’t matter what your tool or material of choice is: a camera, a pencil, paint, fiber, clay, your body, the kitchen, etc. 👩🏼🎨 Today I am sharing why the act of making is important and why the process can be more valuable than the final product. Have you ever wondered why people get addicted to their “crafty” hobbies? It’s usually more about the way we feel doing those hobbies, than it is the physical outcome of them.
Creating versus Making
Creating and making are synonymous to me, but I prefer the term making because I think it is more accessible. When we say “create” we tend to associate it with “creativeness.” This intimidates people who don’t think they are creative, and can swallow them in self-doubt. Making sounds more doable to the untapped artist. I can make a sandwich, I can make some art. I try to always tell my art students we are “making” something so they start off believing they can do it no matter how “creative” they might be.
The magic happens when you are making
Making helps us slow down and train our minds to focus and persevere. Have you ever worked on something to look up and realize how much time has past? Making can help relax us, and help us find something to be proud of. I could go on because I am an art teacher, but I think you get the idea. 🤣
I picked this feature image to share as an example of what I mean. This is a carbon print I made in college from a double exposed photo that was, complicated. It included a lot of chemicals, and resulted in a lot of tears from failed attempts. 😅 The process and experience was waaay more impactful to me than the actual finished product. (Which never ended up looking “correct.”) It’s a cool print, sure, but what is way cooler about it is what I learned while making it. How I was reminded to keep trying and think critically about what I was doing, reflecting and looking for errors or ways to improve each pull of a print. How time was irrelevant as I sat in the studio working and reflecting.
The magic happens when you are making. ✨
That alternative printmaking class was one of my favorites ever, even though (and probably because), it challenged me so much! Photography has pretty much been my sole sidekick the past few years. It helped me find clarity in my new role as a mom. I’ve told you before, how sometimes I need my camera to help me slow down and focus on my life! 💖
Start making
If you’re thinking, “you are so right Meg, I need to get into making something, but what?!” I got you! For ideas on what you can make, head the DIY or art education sections of my blog. If you are interested in getting started in photography, head to the photo education section instead.