Your Creative Time Is Not a Waste — Margarete Miller

Lately I wanted to reflect on why we feel the pull to make things. It's more than a hobby, people have used their hands for thousands of years not because they wanted to, but for recreation.

A year ago, I sat down with my friend to talk about it. Kellee Wynne paints with acrylics, teaches and has helped a lot of artists grow. Here's what stuck with me from our conversation.

The pull has always been there

I asked Kellee if she had always felt the pull to create. She said: “I don't remember a time not creating. Whether it's making mud pies, dollhousees , or drawing Strawberry Shortcake. As kids we express ourselves through play.”

Then her life got busy and she split herself into pieces: mom, business owner, artist. When she looks back whether it's home making, doing chores, the wanting to express herself never went away.

I also felt a similar way when I got busy with life and my family and also needed to find something that will help me return to myself. That's when I found collage art.

Make it for the Making

Another topic we unpacked was why is creating art, even if it's imperfect, important?

We often expect art to come out the way it does in our minds but Kellee puts it this way: “If I was to go and take piano, I wouldn't expect to be playing Beethoven's ninth by the end of the day”

Sometimes starting a new hobby requires a learning curve that we overlook and then feel blocked when we're not good at it. “Turn the cameras off, don't show it to anyone. Make a mess.”

The act of creating can sometimes be more important than the finished product itself. So when you feel stuck,try being a beginner on purpose to give yourself time to experiment creatively.

The guilt

I asked why do you think so many people, especially women, feel like they need to earn the right to create?

Kellee has asked her students for years what their biggest struggle is. Many say that it was “feeling guilty to take time for myself”

Many of us feel a need to be productive. “Is there a payoff? Is there a final product? Am I using my time wisely?” But if you're not taking care of yourself, you're not going to feel very good at everything else you do.

So, start leaning into your own curiosity and allow it to take you wherever you want.

Finding Your Creative Path

Not sure what to make? Here's what we suggest:

Start with whatever excites you right now. You can change it later
Make a list of what you don't like. Narrow down what you want to make
Think about the recurring patterns when it comes to your own inspiration
Take a class before buying a pile of supplies, or join a community of artists who share ideas
Keep it cheap. Scissors, a glue stick and old magazines are enough. Kellee says three paint colors plus white can make “just about anything”

Two Easy Ways to Start

Grid journaling - trace small squares on a page, pick a few supplies and fill each square with different techniques and materials. Its small easy to finish project that teaches you about color and composition

Glue books - Loose pages tied together with a ring or some yarn. One page is a small goal that will deliver satisfaction once completed. If you don't want to commit to a journal, use junk mail or an old calendar.

What has art given me?

Art is more than a career for Kellee. Art is a creative outlet as well as a way to connect with time. “Seeing my journey through art, seeing what I've learned, connecting with my family […] I think it's a nice way to paint the story of your life”.

For myself I notice I gained a better sense of self understanding. A more introspective side of myself appeared when I was making art.

Art can mean a lot to different people and the best way to find out what it means to you is to start making it!

Try This

This week pick one small thing, ten minutes with a glue stick and some scraps from your paper stash. It doesn't have to be good, just create for yourself.

You can watch the full conversation on my Youtube channel. Kellee also had a free grid journal mini course there, and this video is the first in the series.

If you are interested in collage recieving more inspiration sign up for my newsletter. For more creative prompts and on my channel, join the Vintage and Collage Club.

Why We’re Wired to Create