Art does not exist only for the artist, nor does the work exist only to be viewed and judged. There is a spark of creativity in every human soul, and whether you are attuned to that spark or it’s hiding a little deeper in your psyche, the expression of that creativity is beneficial to you and to those around you. Even if it’s not gallery-worthy. Perhaps, especially if it isn’t gallery-worthy.
This Advent season I have decided to use the weekly Pillars as sketch prompts. Each day, I will be asking myself what that week’s theme means to me, and how I would like to express it on paper. The goal is creativity and creating with my hands. My goal as far as time is to spend at least a minute, but no more than ten. I’m not working on a new piece. I just want to experience that moment of creation and express the concept of that week’s advent in a thoughtful way.
I would like to invite you to pause for at least a minute a day and indulge in the simple act of sketching, with a real pencil on real paper.
Why Sketching?
Sketching isn’t about creating a masterpiece or impressing others; it’s about the joy of self-expression and the peace it can bring to your busy life. Many of us spent our childhoods doodling on the margins of notebooks or creating colorful worlds on blank pages. As adults, we often put aside these simple pleasures, convinced that creativity is reserved for the talented or the trained. But here’s the truth: everyone can benefit from sketching, regardless of skill level.
Recent research, including a study published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information, highlights the mental health benefits of engaging in creative activities like sketching. It’s been shown to reduce stress, improve focus, and even elevate mood. Similarly, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco list numerous benefits of sketching, including enhancing creativity and providing a sense of accomplishment.
I know your days can be hectic, filled with responsibilities and to-dos. Mine feel endless during the Holiday season, but I am hoping that sketching for even just a minute a day can become a moment of calm amidst the chaos.
Why Advent?
Honestly, I feel like my Holiday seasons get shorter and more difficult to navigate the older I get. Responsibilities for my children, for my parents, for my business, and for my own creative practice. I wanted to try something that would help me connect with the season in a meaningful way, and since I had already decided I needed to get back to sketching every day, combining these two things just made sense to me.
The Pillars of Advent are Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Each pillar begins on Sunday with the lighting of that week’s Advent candle. I am including a few images of my first few sketches during this first week of Advent: Hope. These moments are not about perfection but about presence. You’ll see my sketches are crude, fast, and very far from a perfect scene.
Consider sketching as a form of mindfulness, and use that time to meditate on the pillar of the week. When you put pencil to paper, you focus on the moment, allowing your mind to wander away from daily worries. The act of sketching can ground you, providing a welcome respite from the digital noise that fills our lives.
An Invitation to Share
I invite you to take a minute today to sketch something. Let your pencil flow freely. There’s no right or wrong, no judgment, just you and your creativity. If you feel inspired, share your sketches in the comments below or post them on social media, tagging me so we can celebrate your creativity together.
Remember, the goal is not to create perfect art but to enjoy the process and the peace it brings. Whether you’re a seasoned doodler or haven’t picked up a pencil in years, I encourage you to embrace this practice. After all, creativity is like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it becomes.
So, grab that pencil, find a piece of paper, and let’s get sketching! I can’t wait to see what you create.
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