The feel of a paintbrush in my hand brings me back to myself. After years spent raising children, the first time I returned to
painting felt both awkward and exciting. Colors leapt out at me, my hands uncertain but eager, and time seemed to dissolve as I lost myself in playing with paint. It brought me back to my childhood, a time when I didn’t need a reason to create something with my hands. I like to call this a moment of whimsy.
painting felt both awkward and exciting. Colors leapt out at me, my hands uncertain but eager, and time seemed to dissolve as I lost myself in playing with paint. It brought me back to my childhood, a time when I didn’t need a reason to create something with my hands. I like to call this a moment of whimsy.I believe a contented life needs a little whimsy, the kind that doesn’t try to justify itself or earn its keep. It’s the spark that reminds us we’re human, not machines, and that joy doesn’t have to be productive to matter.
Why whimsy keeps us grounded
When we drift too far into practicality, life starts to feel tight and airless. We forget what it’s like to be absorbed in something for no reason other than it feels good. Whimsy loosens that grip. It brings back color, curiosity, and a feeling of possibility that adulthood often squeezes out of us.
How we lose it
Most of us were taught to “grow out of” the things that once made us light up. We learned to be sensible, to focus on work, to keep our interests respectable. Over time, those little pleasures get buried under responsibility until we barely remember what they were. It ‘s usually experiencing a major life event like retirement, empty-nesting, or divorce that sparks an urge to find our inner joy again. It was when my three children started attending school full-time that I decided to find my personal whimsy.
How we bring it back
One of the simplest ways to find that spark again is to go back to something we loved before we worried about what others thought. For me, painting and being in nature were what I loved as a child, so I devoted myself to recapturing these pleasures again without any expectation. I hadn’t picked up a paintbrush in years, but the moment I did, something in me softened. It wasn’t about skill or achievement. It was about playing with color, making a mess, and remembering what it felt like to create with pure delight. That one choice shifted my whole life. I felt lighter and more patient with the demands of raising a family. And, it launched a life filled with creativity.
The same thing happens when someone takes up a new creative hobby, especially one that’s tactile and immersive, like encaustic painting. There’s a childlike wonder in melting wax, layering color, carving texture, and watching a piece evolve under your hands. It’s messy, sensory, and deeply grounding. It’s also why I love teaching beginners: you can see the moment whimsy returns to their faces.If you’ve been craving that spark, one of my beginner encaustic workshops might be the perfect doorway. No experience needed — just interest and a willingness to play. Here’s a link to explore if you are interested Instruction – Anne Stine Fine Art
Whimsy isn’t a luxury for the young. I’ve recently picked up ice skating, remembering the joy it brought me when I was 10 years old. Yes, I’m the oldest student out there on the ice, but gliding and twirling around ignites a joy I can’t explain.
What’s one small, joyful thing you would be happy to try again?
This article was inspired by Something in the Woods Loves You, by Jarod K. Anderson. A deeply-moving book about finding inner peace through nature. A must read!
Anne Stine is a mixed media artist specializing in large-format encaustic artwork inspired by nature. Read more about her story HERE.
Join her Studio Insider list for workshop and new art announcements at the link on the bottom of this page.
