Introducing: The 2012 Creative Experiments
Sun, January 1, 2012 at 12:00PM January 2012 marks the 4th year
of creative experiments at Daisy Yellow!
white and black bombay inks
What are the Creative Experiments?
On the first day of each month, I'll share a set of creative experiments, prompts to inspire you to try new things based on extending something that you already know how to do. The challenge is to do at least one of the experiments each month. Here are the experiments for January!!!
There are a lot of different types of experiments, so you can get familiar:
a. Use familiar materials in a new environment
This is easy. Take your show on the road. If you draw mandalas at night before bed, draw at a cafe. If you shoot photos of your garden, photograph your kids or architecture. If piano is your thing, get friends together to play at your house.
b. Use new materials in a familiar way
Build on something you know how to do. If you paint flowers with watercolors, paint the same subject with acrylics. Shoot a roll of black + white film instead of digitals. Sketch with thick markers rather than a black pen. Make orange-spiced pecan muffins instead of blueberry-walnut.
c. Use familiar materials in a new way
This is all about playing with your materials! If you know how to do mono-printing with a rubber brayer, use a brayer to make an art journal background. If you draw mandalas, piece them together from pretty things from your garden.
d. Explore completely new stuff
What would you try if failure was irrelevant? You could experiment by carving an eraser stamp to use on the next handwritten letter, paint a flower pot with enamel paint, paint a rainbow with watercolors, draw something and embroider it,
You can also pursue this idea by taking a class. Find a course (web or live) in hand dying fiber, photography, watercolor, jewelry making, sewing, guitar, sculpturing recycled junk, making quiche.
My creative experiments include doodle embroidery, drawing mandalas, drawing on a watercolors, stamping with bubble wrap. My kids + I discovered block printing, weaving paper, stamping with leaves, neocolors, making maps and board games.
Reader Comments (4)
Fab suggestions! I'm going to be embossing and creating hand carved stamps from polystyrene over the next few weeks so I'll keep your ideas in mind whilst I tackle these new crafts.
I just came across daisy yellow today. Thank you,thank you,thankyou. Easy to navigate
great ideas. New to journaling. Always wondered why I kept all kinds of paper,receipts,maps,anything with an interesting pattern,or color.
terry k
I'm new to Daisy Yellow, but I already know I'll be back often! Thank you for the "experiments" you've listed. I'm currently going through a period where I feel I'm out of new ideas regarding my journaling. Your unique suggestions are much appreciated!
Great idea! I've been doing this in my art lab for some time. I look forward to learning with you!