Directions Not Included

I think sometimes we just need to force our hand to start moving, to start a line and see what happens.
It's playful, (maybe) uncomfortable and valuable. Here, we talked about the word ambiguity and how some artists love the feeling and run with it.   Being okay with uncertainty,  that blank paper and just letting go.  Seeing where not knowing may take you.  It could lead you to inquiry. Whether it's self inquiry or transdisciplinary research.  It's all good.  Here are some thoughts on the process...

This lesson was inspired by a Ted Talk given by Cindy Foley "Teaching art or teaching to think like an artist?"  Watch it below...

Crayon Explorations- Artistic Habit of Mind Stretch and Explore

How  fortunate we would be if we could "see through" this piece and experience what the artist did. 

Artistic Behavior or (Studio) Habits of Mind Stretch and Explore

Learning to reach beyond one's capacity to explore playfully, without a preconceived plan, and to embrace the opportunity to learn from mistakes and accidents. 

We've all used crayons.  We're all familiar with coloring.  But are we familiar with exploring the potential of what that little crayon can do? And how does this apply to life anyway?   I see this as holding ourselves in one spot, possibly our comfort zone as they say.  If we stay there we may limit our opportunities to grow.  That's why it's important to give children (and ourselves) the opportunity to play.  When we play (explore) we open our minds up to situations that are authentic learning experiences. And I wonder (and hope) that through guiding this experience of exploring it can be applied as a "habit" and make a difference in the way we go through our day and situations that may arise.

Known techniques explored:
rubbings (held on side and rubbed on a surface)
pressure (learning to be aware of our strength and movements to help achieve light, medium and dark values)
line (thin, expressive, bold, light, etc.)
blending colors to make new colors