10 Simple Acts Of Creative Kindness To Make The World A Better Place
Creating art is therapeutic, fun, and empowering for me personally and for my students. Being a part of the creative process is so phenomenal - why not spread it around? Use your creative talents as an act of kindness to make a difference in the lives of others.
Your art can bring people together.
It can let them know they are loved.
It can brighten up their day.
Wednesday, November 13th is World Kindness Day. And as we approach the season of gratitude and spreading cheer, I invite you to make an intention to do at least one act of kindness that brings more creativity into the lives of those around you.
I bet you’ll see a difference in your life too!
Tag your contributions on social #creativekindness so we can inspire each other.
You can use my list or create your own acts that express your special creative flair.
10 Simple Acts Of Creative Kindness
#1 Mail Your Artwork
Send a friend or family member a letter or postcard. You can buy plain-front postcards and glue your pattern design or other artwork to the front. Write a short and happy message and off it goes to the hands of a grateful recipient!
If a longer letter is your style, enclose a piece of your work in the letter. For extra style points, use your designs to make stamps at https://photostamps.com/. Take a picture of your stamp and post it online so I can see how it came out!
Here’s a short time lapse video of me creating a piece of artwork to enclose in a letter to a friend.
#2 Plan an “Artist Date”
One of my favorite books is The Artist Way by Julia Cameron. I wrote a blog post last year about it. Two cornerstones of her creative teaching are journaling, which she calls “morning pages,” and going on an artist date. To do so, call a friend and invite her to a museum, garden, or planetarium for the morning, afternoon, or make a day of it. You’ll catch up, enjoy beautiful art in many forms, and relax during this busy season. If you’ve read the book, you know that Julia encourages you to go on artist dates by yourself! Try that too. :)
#3 Clean Up Your Act
There is a stereotype of a messy artist and it’s for a good reason; some artists ARE messy! Although I am more on the neat-freak side of the spectrum, I do leave my watercolors out after a project and I am sure my husband would appreciate it if I cleaned up. Block some time off in your calendar to tidy any areas that you’ve “taken over” with your art. Or be kind to yourself and clean your studio for you alone! Sometimes a neat and tidy space helps inspire new creative ideas. Please post before and after pictures. Tag them with #cleanupyouract so we can see them.
#4 Gift Your Art
Make a stack of greeting cards with your designs and give them to friends to use. Make some of your own wrapping paper and offer a few sheets to a neighbor. Find a way to give your art to others and the good deed will come back to you. If you participate in a neighborhood or family gift exchange, don’t buy something. Gift your unique products instead. They spread joy when they go out into the world and land in a new home.
Here are examples of my wrapping papers, mugs and notebooks that make fantastic gifts. Photos by the fabulously talented Kim Thompson Steel.
#5 Make A Creative Rendez-Vous
Invite some of your creative friends over for an afternoon of art-making. Try something new, like writing a haiku, painting furniture, or arranging flowers. You can also work on a puzzle, do some gardening, or take pictures of each other at a park. The idea is to feel whimsical, spontaneous and enjoy each other.
#6 Expand Your Knowledge
Take in an art lecture, talk, or seminar with a friend. Many are free and worth the effort to go. Make an evening of it and learn more about the art world. I took my Mum to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to see a special exhibit of Magritte’s work. We lived in Brussels down the street from him but never actually met him. My Mum was always way ahead of her time in terms of her interests, passions and pursuits. I have so many wonderful memories of that day at the museum and am so glad I took the time to learn more about art with my most special date - my Mum!
Here we are deep in conversation and hiding inside some of Magritte’s paintings.
#7 Support Artists
Ask a friend to an open mic, poetry or book reading. You won’t need to look much further than your local library, book store or coffee shop. My favorite thing to do is support my local Typewriter Poet, which is like seeing art in action. Artists always appreciate your kind act of attending, and your friend will too! Buy student artwork or go to a local college or university to explore students’ art. I recently went to my son’s architecture show at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and was inspired by all the talent in that show, especially his!
Here’s a photo of the large scale building that my son, Matt, created and exhibited at the RISD 2020 architecture show.
#8 Make A Sculpture
Use some simple stones to make a carin. Place it outdoors, on a curb, along a trail, or at your front door. It will add a touch of beauty wherever it is. Make it as ornate or as simple as you like.
#9 Teach An Art Class
You have so much to share! Organize a small art class for one or some friend(s) and teach what you know. Offer a class to the local library, children’s center or retirement community. You can meet just once or a few times, depending on the project. You will love sharing your gift and people will enjoy learning from you.
#10 Share A Book
Offer a friend or creative colleague an artistic or inspiring book. Art books, fiction about artists or nonfiction are all good ideas. My favorite book right now is Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton. I’m actually listening to it on audible but I’m going to buy the book too!
Kindness can become a part of your daily routine. As a creative person, I hope you will commit to being kind through art and spreading your unique version of love with the world.
Have any other ideas for creative kindness? Email me or share them on social media with the hashtag #creativekindness so we can all share in the special creative joy that you bring to the world.
Before I go, I want to thank you for being a part of my creative community. It is an act of kindness that you allow me to share my love of art and my passion for teaching. I appreciate you!
Remember,
It’s Never Too Late to Create
If you enjoyed this blog please share it with your friends and family. Click your favorite social platform below. And join my email list for weekly creative inspiration and an invitation to our private Facebook group, Anne’s Art Club.
MEET ANNE
Hi…I’m Anne!
My creative inspiration comes from a lifetime of observation. I grew up in Paris on the Place St. Sulpice and walked to school through the Luxembourg gardens. And that was only the beginning… Learn more by watching the video on my About page.
