Are you a mess? Literally, I mean. If so, good for you!
You see, it’s natural for me to be neat and tidy. “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” That describes my house, the way I dress, and, for the most part, my life. I like things to be orderly, and it makes me anxious when they’re not.
Most artists, on the other hand, tend to be messy. According to Scott Barry Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire, authors of Wired to Create, creatives have an unusually high tolerance for disorder and disarray, and it shows in how they think and behave.
My mom is a case in point. She’s been a professional artist for most of her life, and her “messy mind” is obvious. While my house is pretty austere, “projects” fill every inch of her apartment. While I wear mostly neutral colors, her closet is bursting with color. And, while my art tends to be very controlled, her art is more experimental.
A couple of weeks ago, I realized that my preference for neatness was likely stifling Purple Crayon’s members and workshop participants. Creatives need inspiration, and, by discouraging folks from messing up their workstations or damaging the studio walls, I was also discouraging them from fully expressing themselves. Who can create a masterpiece if she’s worried about spilling a drop of paint?
So, this month, while most people are gearing up for spring cleaning, I’m working hard at messing up—at least at Purple Crayon! I’m providing members materials and tools for hanging art. I’m asking them to leave out their supplies instead of stashing them away. And, I’m dedicating a wall in the studio to a community mural. (Yep, we’re going to paint right on the wall!)
The studio is already looking more “alive,” and my workstation has become one of the messiest—and, I hope, most inspiring—of them all! If you’ve not been to Purple Crayon recently, I’d encourage you to come for a visit. We’ll be painting the mural on April 14th (the same day as our monthly Open House) if you’d like to help. There are still plenty of Lavender memberships available (and a few higher-level memberships, too!). Or you can take one of the great workshops that are coming up this spring (see below).
Even if you’re not able to witness our transformation, I hope that you’ll at least embrace wherever you are on the messiness scale. And remember, no matter what you’ve been taught, cleanliness is definitely NOT next to godliness.
Looking forward to playing with you!
—Pam Robbins, Owner
