A Bit of Whimsy

A lot of my “return to art” involves looking back at where I’ve been. Although we’re advised not to dwell in the past — and I loved this article on life lessons — as we prepare to move forward, it can be helpful to see where we’ve been as well as understand where we presently are.

Often I sit here in my studio and look around with wonder — and with a sense of whimsy! Many times I find myself surprised by the artwork I’ve created, and I especially delight in seeing lots of “fun” things — things that, at the time, I barely even considered as “art”. Now, looking back from where I am today, I can better appreciate all those little bits of fun art. They make me smile. They make me laugh.

Among my favorites are these “food art” images of cupcakes.

Of course, I wasn’t trying to create “fine art” here. I was just having fun. I keep this drawing hanging on my bulletin board, by the way. It’s over my easel where any time I need a lift of spirits, I can look up and enjoy these colorful little images.

Another favorite is “Market Day” — a neurographic drawing, not intended to be representational in any way, but which made me think of women going off to market, one with a small child at her side. I loved the colors, and any time my imagination kicks in, art can make me smile.

The “Happy Chicken” is another whimsical bit of fun art that I love. Happy Chicken is what’s known as a “doodle bird” — for obvious reasons.

At the same time I created “Happy Chicken”, I also drew several doodle birds on foam, cut them out, and placed them around the studio. They don’t sing or even chirp, but I love looking around and seeing them.

I love color, and “Bright and Bold” is another of my favorite pieces of whimsical, fun art.

Actually, the original title of this watercolor was “Uncertainty” because as I was creating it, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. It was done as part of a watercolor workshop, and when I picked up my paintbrush I had my doubts! In the end, though, I loved the bright, bold colors. This, too, is on display in my studio. Looking at it always brightens my mood.

Here, I think it’s interesting to note that I have a lot of work on display in my studio — many are well-executed landscape paintings in oil, or favorite watercolor paintings. But most are just “fun pieces” — little bits and pieces of art that make me hapy. These are all the sorts of things that I never thought of before as being “art”. But they are.

Art doesn’t have to be serious. Art surely shouldn’t be pretentious! Art doesn’t have to be careful and precise. Art can be silly — like the matryoshka doll I recently drew from a truncated cone! Art can be fun and imaginative. Art can be whimsical.

We need this sort of art. Not only as images to enjoy, but as images to create. There is something undeniably satisying about creating “playful” art, so let’s all create more of it! Let’s doodle more birds, paint with brighter and bolder colors, and have fun with our pencils, pens, and paintbrushes. Let’s play with pastels and splatter acrylics around, splashing, spilling, dripping.

Art should be fun. Art can be fun. Now, go have a little fun today!

Note: In the interest of “whimsical art”, I let the Word Press image generator step in to create a “comicbook style” feature image based on ideas expressed in the post. AI art — which is a bit of an oxymoron in my mind — can also be fun to play with.