What stops us from drawing, painting, or even doodling? We think it has to be good! If we spend time on it, we think we should have results to show for it--that's a lot of pressure!
Imagine allowing yourself to relax and let yourself just enjoy the process of creating.
I am an art teacher, and also a speech-language pathologist, and mother of two young boys. I know first hand the demands and "have-to's" that keep us from tapping into our creativity. Maybe we save it for a "paint and sip" party once a year, and in the meantime, we doom scroll daily, and glance on occasion at the art supplies collecting dust. It's so easy to get caught in feeling like there's a "better time" or "someday" I'll get to draw or paint again..I get it!
That's why I created the Happymakery Art Journaling Club. Everyone deserves the space and time to create if she feels that pull to make something.
Years ago, when my first son was a toddler. I was working in a contract speech therapy job, which paid great and was meaningful, but it was long hours away from my baby. Lots of drive time, lots of paperwork-- I was spread very thin, to say the least.
One day, I had a big stack of papers to sign at work. It sounds so silly, but I LOVED just the feeling of putting my pen to paper, signing my name. Not because I was signing my own name, but just because it felt similar to drawing. It was effortless and relaxing. That day, I realized that it was REALLY important for me to use my hands to make things! I know I'm not alone in that.
After that time, I began to host paint parties, art journal parties, and sold quite a few portrait commissions and pet portrait gifts. I had realized how important it was for my mental health to create.
Fast forward about 9 years, I was hosting art journaling meet-ups, was (and still am) an art teacher... but still, I found myself stopped in my tracks by fear of messing up a drawing, before I had even started! Fear that I wouldn't be happy with what I drew or painted! Fear that I wouldn't be satisfied, and then it would have felt like a waste of time. Have you ever felt that way?
So here's what I did: I lowered the bar for myself. I wouldn't create anything magnificent, or anything specific at all! I would just doodle. Spoiler alert: the process was satisfying and calming! And I felt proud of myself for taking that time for myself amidst a busy day.
I still create lovely drawings and paintings when I have the energy to, but in my hectic day-to-day, with 50,000 demands, my art journal gives me a space to just BE with my creativity. No pressure. No judgment--just playing and relaxing. A true creative outlet. Doodling is an easy way to get started in your art journal.
I want that for you, too. I want it for every busy woman who has an inkling that she might want to sketch or paint. The biggest hurdle is allowing yourself the time. Allowing yourself to make something that isn't "pretty". Allowing yourself to just create for fun, and to relax!
That's why I have created a space for you online--so that you don't have to plan a special outing or class to draw or paint--but certainly, do that too when time allows! We can fit sketching or doodling in our art journal into our everyday, or weekly, or monthly life.
This is a new space, that will be evolving to fit what members want and need. I hope you'll try it out!