What is Process Art?

What is process art? Have you ever heard, "It is about the journey, not the destination?" Well, process art is about the creative process, not the end result. This creative process is about exploration and freedom. And boy is it liberating, and fun!

Process art goes something like this. You start with getting supplies. And then, you create a space to be creative and explore. Then, get inspired to create something with the supplies you have available.

Picture a child sitting down to play with play dough. The child plays without a lesson on what or how to create something. The child is left to create whatever she wishes with the play dough, that is process art.

This is very liberating for some and frustrating for others as they struggle to know where to begin. In these situations, creative individuals really shine. But, even if you are not as creative as you would like to be, you can train yourself to be. This is what process art teaches you.

Being creative usually comes natural when we are young. However, the older we get, the less process activities we do and the more difficult being creative becomes. This is do to our brain changing focus from the importance of creating freely, into learning by instructions.

There is nothing wrong with learning through help. We go through an important stage of doing what we are suppose to do, and what is acceptable by those around us. It is a normal process we all go through and is important to our social well-being.

However, there can be a happy medium of what is socially acceptable and being confident in our own thoughts. Process art, and learning, helps us to put some effort into creating new ideas. Through process art you can teach your mind how to formulate new ideas that are your own.

Process art helps you discover who you are and what you like. It may be tempting to look at others art when you just don't know what to create. But don't. You have an opportunity with process art to be yourself, experiment, and to discover more about you.
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Process art is about playing, experimenting, and discovering. Some may think play is just for kids, but it is not. Every human needs play to be happy, healthy, and to learn. Think about all the stuff kids learn by "playing" nearly every day. Adults can bring back play into their own lives through process art.

Process art is also all about the experience. How you feel as you experiment with your materials. The ideas that you get, and the opportunity to try new things. If you don't like the end result, no worries, consider it only a bonus if it looks good, the real fun was in the actual creating.

Part of the lesson is to take a moment and think about your artwork. What did you learn about the materials? What does your work speak to others about yourself and your ideas?

I highly value process art because of the huge benefits to individual creativity. The value of creativity speaks to students to value themselves and their ideas. There is a lot of value in that alone. But the benefits continue to teach about the materials, colors, techniques, and how art can benefit your mood and creativity.

So, take this opportunity to spend some time creating and playing. You never know what you might create.

Want to get more creative? Come Join the Party!

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