The First Steps Toward Art

Often our efforts to pursue an art or craft project bump into life's mishaps like people behind a wallet dropper on an escalator. By the time we recompose ourselves, the desire to create has fled and all we're left with is regrets. So I say find the little girl inside of you (or little boy) who is still longing to create something beautiful.

Then take the first steps towards art and see what happens. Here's a few tips on how to engage whatever you want to do:

Set "it" out on your art table—whatever "it" is. My recent "it" is a frame I weathered with crackle medium and now want to use for a mixed media piece.  If you want to know how to weather a frame, visit this link: "How to Make a Vintage Frame."
Grow your confidence by remembering something you did successfully. I coaxed myself to believe by reliving the recent frame I'd adorned with vintage jewelry that is featured in the link above.
Eyeball your "it" – roll some ideas around in your brain for a few days. Windows speak to me of possibilities. I'm seeing a quote in one of the squares, a bird in another, and the rest hasn't come to me yet.
Play with the concept by exploring an impromptu photo shoot. I decided to experiment with some potential additions by creating some fun camera moment. This always gets my creative juices flowing.


Imagine the finished project – rarely what you actually end up with but a good next step just the same.
Assembly your supplies – set out what you want to use.
Start – sounds obvious, right? NOT! This is by far the toughest step to do.

I guarantee that if you do these steps, you will inch your way towards art. Well, at least engage in something more creative than what you are doing now, which just might be nothing. So get out those paint brushes and have some fun.

What do you see in my future mixed media piece's window pane? What is your recent art or craft project?

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