As I begin the school year with my children, I am thrown back into to crazy mode. I find myself rushing around barking orders. “Hurry up!” and “we need to go!” have quickly become the most frequently used phrases around here. Like some, I become painfully aware of my lack of attention to my children when they say things like, “Are you still on the computer, Mom?” and I find myself unable to even turn around to acknowledge them and say a simple, “YES, now leave me alone.” Ugly, ugly, behavior that I am ashamed to admit has happened a few times.
Recognizing my less than stellar behavior toward my children, and reading this article by Lindsay, I went on a mission to take the #SlowDownChallenge13 .
Last year, I volunteered at my children’s school to be the Art docent through a wonderful program the PTA pays for called Art Trek. I found it extremely rewarding and loved teaching the children how to tap into their creative side. Oftentimes, I do the lessons at home with my kids to prepare for the larger classroom. Lately, I have found myself reaching for paper and doing some of the simple lessons as a way to clear my mind clutter. It dawned on me that I was getting the same mind clearing effect from these easy projects as I was on a long, easy run.
When you feel extremely stressed, grab a pencil and some markers and get lost in one of these easy projects. (I was teaching Kindergarten and 2nd grade, so don’t tell me you’re not an artist) I find that when you stop thinking, focus on the lines and color, and forget your stresses for a moment it is refreshing to the mind and has really helped me seize the meaning of the #SlowDownChallenge13.
Scribble Drawing
Get out a piece of blank paper and begin making large circle and oval type scribbles.
When you have filled the page, look at it from many angles and see if you can find anything within the scribble.
As you can see, mine looks strange and it isn’t really anything.. maybe a teddy bear with a heart in front of his face? I don’t know, but the point is not perfection or even a finished picture, just to get your mind directed away from your thoughts. These are really fun to do with kids – it’s amazing what they can see and we don’t!
Geometric Shape Man
You will need two pieces of construction paper and pastels (preferably oil). You could also do this on white paper with markers.
Using only geometric shapes, construct a person. If you flipped the triangle over it would look much more feminine. You could also use a square or circle for the body. The possibilities are endless. A good way to start is to cut out a bunch of shapes and arrange them on a piece of paper like a puzzle, then copy your finished product.
Geometric Shapes
You will need white paper and markers or black construction paper, a white pencil, and oil pastels.
You start by placing a shape in one area of your paper.
Then draw a second shape making sure it intersects with the other one.
Then a third shape.
Draw a wavy line from one corner of top of paper to the other, again making sure to intersect the shapes.
Add smaller shapes, lines, and details.
Last, add color. I like mine to be simple with just a touch of color, but feel free to go wild.
Bubble Man
You will need white paper and markers.
Start by making an oval head at the very top of your page.
Then a circle for the neck.
A line for the shoulders, make a U shape connecting the shoulders.
Small circles for the shoulders and thin ovals for the arms.
A large circle at the bottom of the U shape, and a V in the circle.
Large ovals for thighs.
Circles for knees.
When you’re done, outline it with markers and color.
OK, so it looks a little like Liberace, but it helped clear my mind! HA
Another great read about unleashing the creative person within is right HERE by Cori: I am a huge fan of her and her writing.
Are you participating in the #SlowDownChallenge13 ?
What do you do besides running to clear your mind clutter?
