What's the purpose of making art?

[@ElleCoyote]

I create because I have an urge deep inside me, to make beauty and share it, whether that is online, in the mail, giving finished art away to friends and family, or selling to those who resonate with my visual choices. Experimentation is a big part of what I have been doing for decades, so I am learning all the time, both from successes and failures.

[@lindabarnett7653]

Can you imagine getting one of these envelopes in the mail?? wow - and I bet they liven up the work day for our friends in the USPS~~~thank you, Carolyn.

[@mitzi66]

Pain relief, relaxation, a feeling of purpose ❤

[@tscassell]

Love it! We don’t need a “reason”, it’s just FUN 😊❤ and those envelopes are absolutely amazing 🤩

[@Love2Create62]

I create because it helps me block out my/the world's troubles, colors make me happy, and creating brings me joy! 😊

[@amherst88]

So true Carolyn and you pretty much covered it! Making art helps us stay sane in this crazy, crazy world 💟

[@marilynshriver7015]

Ditto everything you said. I used to satisfy my creative need with my sewing machine. Now I get very excited about trying some new technique I saw on youtube with paint, stencils, etc.

[@nancyring8104]

I create for the sheer joy of making an idea come to life!! (I just bought that MB stencil you used at the beginning of the video!!😍😍❤️) 🌈❤

[@createart2iowa]

Love this Idea!! Thanks, Carolyn!

[@duckigrrl]

I create for many reasons. It all boils down to it makes me happy. I find my smile when play with paints and stencils, and I love losing myself in the process. Whether it's writing or making an art journal page or painting a (very simple!) picture, or trying something new, I can work through a lot of feelings. Usually the only person who sees my work is my husband and I am blessed with one who encourages me to continue being creative. If I'm feeling discouaged because I'm not happy with the results, he usually points me toward Carolyn Dube: add more layers. Or, it's just an OOPS. Keep going.

[@barbara-dj1uo]

Thank you for a perfectly, positive uplifting message. You just made my day. I feel exactly the same way about creativity as you expressed in this video. My heart speeds up watching you gel print. My heart and soul HAS to create to feel joyful. Thanks for your message. Love ya.

[@celticpeasant9753]

Thanks Carolyne - I love your videos 😍

[@janaskolaudyova5113]

Miluju práci se všemi barvami. Je to pro mně také krásný relax. Teď chci spojit tisk na Gelli plate s enkaustikou. Až budu mít víc obrázků, pošlu na web. Velký dík za to, co děláte🥰

[@janiecox8766]

Yep. Yep. Yep. Same here. You are so cute! I so enjoyed meeting you in Paducah!

[@annajavier5712]

I create because it keeps me stable, I am good at it and I love it it lets me do me.

[@ssquilts]

Creating both gives me peace and energizes me. I enjoy the surprises along the way - also mixed media has helped me along in my process of recovery from perfectionism (with Carolyn’s encouragement)

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

Creating is my pain killer, I have a lot of nerve pain and getting 'lost in the process' is the only thing that helps.

[@mllu2296]

I can totally relate

[@queerulantin6431]

Not alone

[@viviankirkham1677]

Your reason inspired me..thankyou

[@phoebebaker1575]

Beautiful! I like to make beautiful things. (Of course that’s subjective, what I think is beautiful is not necessarily the same as what you think is beautiful.) But I like to make things that are beautiful to me, and that I think someone else might like, too.

[@ScrappyMim]

I create for many of the same reasons you mentioned. Creating helps me process feelings that sometimes are overwhelming. It also stretches me to look at myself in new and different ways. To think outside of the lines so to speak. My family lovingly call my craft room my "holy of holies." And it's true, when I'm in there it's my sanctuary.

[@revCMF]

I create as a spiritual practice, as therapy, because it brings me joy, and it allows me to get out sadness.

[@amysamin]

I'd actually love to know the answer to the first question, though based on what you said at the end, I guess your answer is - sometimes you don't do anything with it, because the whole point was the process and not having an end product.

[@stampinsueduffy]

Love the stencils and using our playtime to create the envelopes! I just love color - that's my reason and for some reason, I especially love the look of metallics, shimmers and pearl in particular. Wonder what THAT'S about?! 😁

[@MLLatUtube]

I create for enjoyment, for relaxation, for gift making, and for the satisfaction of it. I have a huge pile of gelly plate prints, so I hope you answer the second question: what do you do with it all?

[@meredithpjesky9912]

So,lol what are some ideas of what you do with everything you create? I use stuff for new art, collage, gifts, etc ur it’s hard keeping “made piles” under control lol

[@silverpromidi]

I have one of those Styrofoam dummy heads that stares at me constantly in my 'quiet space' room. Many times I look at it and say something along the lines of "I am going to cover you one day" and then that little downer voice pops in and asks 'but why?' some days I give it 'just because' with more conviction than others, other times I am stumped and agree with it 'why?'. One day that head will be covered with really pretty napkins - one day ...

[@junebloye1487]

What sorts of things stress you?

[@christinecrow1410]

Carolyn, now answer why I'm afraid to create. Please. I stare at the page and feel ?????.

[@queerulantin6431]

🏳️‍🌈💜