Dear friends,
I am thinking a lot about Giving and Gratitude this month. The two words go together like snow and shovel - one leads to the other!
Gift giving can seem like a hassle, but did you know that it’s often the giver who reaps the biggest emotional reward from giving? It’s true. Thinking of another person with appreciation, choosing a gift with attention, getting a sharp crease on sparkly paper, and offering a gift with generosity all builds bonds of connection that can feel so good!
We would love to make the holiday season more pleasant for you, so here are some gift ideas that will bring you and the people you love some artsy joy:
Looking for a way to say thank you to a NEIGHBOR? How about making a sketch of her house? Drive by and take a picture. Print the picture and then either freehand or trace a contour line drawing of the house onto heavier paper. If you add some simple watercolor washes, you will have a unique and special gift your friend will certainly appreciate!
Need a gift for your MOM or SISTER? How about making time to do an art project or take an art class together? You could promise to help put that huge stack of photos from the attic into books or learn to sketch together this spring!
Looking for a new way to connect with the KIDS in your life? Get them some simple art supplies. Then show them how to do a blind, continuous line drawing and spend some time drawing from cool photo collections like Window Swap or Unsplash where you can search for images your young friend will enjoy drawing, like Hello Kitty, Pokemon or Spiderman!
Want something artsy and exciting to do with a FRIEND? Make a date to visit the amazing SOWA Winter Festival (You need to pre-purchase tickets on the weekend) or give her a museum membership with the promise to visit together in the new year!
Would you like to support all the wonderful places we all love to sketch? Get an annual membership!
If you want a few more ideas, just listen to this great episode of Art Gift Ideas from Art Juice. Many of them are low cost and even free!
Finally, give YOURSELF the gift of art this year. Of course you can buy yourself supplies, museum memberships and lessons. But what about giving yourself the gift of time? Commit to scheduling 15 minutes a day to sketch or an afternoon a week to paint. You will be both the thoughtful gift giver and the grateful recipient and that’s a double dose of joy!
We hope you find these suggestions helpful. Be well this holiday season and we look forward to seeing you in the studio again when 2023 begins!
Love, Jess and the Slow River Staff