Why I love whimsy

Making space to play matters

Lately I’ve rediscovered my love of googly eyes

A few months ago, I was helping with an arts and crafts event for autistic kids and I remembered how much googly eyes make me giggle.

Seeing the kids play and laugh reminded me just how much fun making can be.

As an adult, there’s a lot of pressure to be professional (especially if you’re trying to be a *serious artist*).

But that can stop us from feeling the joy of making!

Art should make you feel something...

So why not make that feeling joy?

Some of my favourite art pieces are things that just put a big smile on my face.

Art is important

It can do big stuff like:

• make you think about things differently

• inspire you

• help you see new perspectives

Today’s world is so stressful

It’s scary, imbalanced, and completely exhausting, It can feel hopeless. Which is why we need joy to survive.

Making time for joy and silliness is proven to boost creativity and mental health.

My practice

I want to make my workshops and my spaces somewhere where people can take the time to make something for them. This looks like:

• removing pressure to make something “good”

• letting people get things wrong

• leaning into play

I want people to prioritise FUN.

When’s the last time you made something that made you smile?

Try taking the time to make something whimsical, and see how it makes you feel!

• A potion!

• Fairy houses!

• Little creatures!

• A silly hat!

Let me know if you try it and show me what you make.

I can’t wait to be silly with you.