playful discovery

This morning I was browsing the delightful L’Affiche Moderne and the following photo stopped me. 

 I love the way it conveys that reality can be a puzzle. And I love that the immediate “why didn’t I think of that” thought led to a “seriously, you could do something like that” thought.

Don’t mistake these thoughts as dismissiveness. I am actually inspired by the artist.

He’s made me consider what might be possible if I played around a bit when I’m putting together imagery for lierrepoet or lierrestudio. There is so much I can manipulate in even the simplest image apps (and—as much as it pains me to admit this—the publishing layout view in Word), that there’s no telling what I might discover when experimenting. Of course, these playful discoveries might be more likely in Photoshop, and I do hope to have it someday.

Being more playful is something you might do, as well, whether it involves photography, painting, music, video, sewing, cooking or just about anything artful. You might create something distinctive as you play with techniques, materials or ingredients. A mistake or misstep en route to your goal might lead you somewhere that’s more interesting for you and captivating to others.

I know these thoughts aren’t new, but I was glad to get a reminder to be curious and unafraid to play. I hope you are, too.