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Why I Needed an O.O.P.S.

It had been a “just right” kind of day. The kind where I had to get things right or else. Grown up stuff like filling out college state residency paperwork or trying to make a claim on an home appliance warranty. It wasn’t fun at all! I needed some time where things didn’t have to be “just right”. I needed art play and an O.O.P.S.!

What’s an O.O.P.S.? It’s an Outstanding Opportunity Presenting Suddenly- what I used to call a mistake. The play started with this leftover piece of gel printed paper. That’s the thing about play, you can use what you have within arm’s reach.

The white paint didn’t come out the bottle well. Turns out that bottle was almost empty. O.O.P.S. The red paint didn’t look good to me. O.O.P.S. The nose was a giant O.O.P.S. that looked more like a pickle than a nose.

If 35 year old me had been making this, I would have stepped away at the red paint mistake and never would have even gotten to the nose catastrophe. That bye way would have totally shut me down back then. But what’s different now?

Now that I’ve crossed into the 50s, is it just age and wisdom? Nope. I’ve spend a lot of years figuring out specifically what blocks the play. And more importantly how to unblock it. What I discovered became the 10 Play Principles, and you know the first one, O.O.P.S.

These Play Principles are the foundation for my newest online workshop, Playful Art Journaling and the 10 Play Principles. They are to how letting go and getting rid of the noise in your head so that you can play.

If you’re interested in more spontaneity and freedom when you create, check out the workshop and the bonuses too!

Here are the supplies used. Some of these links may be affiliate links which means I get a small percentage and it doesn’t cost you anything extra! It doesn’t cost you anything extra and you get a really good feeling knowing that you are helping keep the free tutorials coming!


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  • Suzanne+L+Eastman July 23, 2021, 5:15 pm

    Always find time with you to be useful and FUN.

  • Donna Lefferdo July 23, 2021, 9:41 pm

    I say his name is Rufus!

  • Joanne Ruth July 23, 2021, 10:02 pm

    Thumbs up, watched this on your website. Couldn’t easily find out how to give it a thumbs up another way, cheers.

  • Barbara Keyes July 24, 2021, 12:55 am

    He is a FRED.

  • Elva July 24, 2021, 5:42 am

    Hmm, a man of mystery! … Cedric I think!!

  • Adrienne+McMurdy July 24, 2021, 10:27 am

    A colorful way to wake up this morning! Always enjoy your videos and your great sense of humor!! OOPS is awesome!! I would name him Obediah!! LOL!

  • Lory C. July 24, 2021, 2:07 pm

    He looks like a Herman to me! Even before you asked us to give him a name, the name Herman popped into my mind.

  • Maggie July 24, 2021, 3:53 pm

    What fun! He looks like an Otis to me! 🙂

  • beth July 24, 2021, 4:01 pm

    Wilbur

  • Bunny July 24, 2021, 8:48 pm

    Looks like a very Curious George to me.

  • Ellen Schmidt July 25, 2021, 3:15 pm

    Simon popped into my head! Your creative videos have been a fun ray of enjoyment as my mind grapples with major water damage in my home. Keep them coming Carolyn!

  • Kathy+Gledsdale July 26, 2021, 11:59 am

    Mr Oopsie rocks

  • Laurel White September 13, 2021, 12:15 am

    Joe Gerkin
    Mo Dill
    Dale Olive
    Rob Relish
    Frank Pickle

  • Andrea Lampert November 9, 2021, 12:42 am

    Thanks for sharing your play sessions. It really helps me to relax and just try something.

    By the way, his name is Oscar. 🙂