A Place to Think

Finding inspiration in paint samples and using the page as an oasis to think.

It feels like someone flipped a switch on the seasons here in the Midwest! I wrote last week’s newsletter in short sleeves and bare feet while sitting on the front porch. The sun was illuminating the last wave of leaves that were fully golden and confetti like. This week I’m snuggled inside under a blanket. It’s gray outside, the trees are mostly bare, and the leaf confetti is now brown and crunched down along the streets. I’m grateful for the beautiful fall season we had this year, but it feels so abruptly winter. I’m ready for coziness, but not ready for the dark.

Winter always feels like a more introspective season to me. A time to cozy in and spend more time with your thoughts, or a good book, or a nice toasty beverage — or all three. For some people this lends itself well to more creativity, for others, not so much. If you’re looking for a creative prompt to give yourself a boost, I offer you the humble paint sample from your local hardware store.

I love reading the names of the colors. Sometimes they are obvious, sometimes they are unexpected. Either way it’s sure to spark a visual in your mind.

I like to use this as an illustration exercise. Fine-point Sharpies and white colored pencil make for a nice combination on vibrant color samples. This koi fish is obvious, but it’s still one of my favorites. I gave her a little acrylic float frame to swim around in.

You could also use paint samples as a writing prompt! Pick one that speaks to you, or for more spontaneity, mix a stack of them upside down and pick one out at random. If you’re feeling particularly blocked, set a timer. Knowing you only have so much time forces you to forge ahead! You could choose any time amount you want. Maybe just 3 minutes to write a short poem or 15 minutes for a micro story. Or if you don’t want the pressure of finishing a specific piece, set a timer for 7 minutes to simply fill a page with all the things the word makes you think of and then use that brainstorming page as a jumping off point for a story, comic, or even a drawing.

If you have a bunch of paint sample color names you like, consider stringing them together. That’s what I did with my mini paint sample zine called “A Place to Think.” Something about this combination of colors and color names brought the heart of what I was trying to say to light—that drawing helps me process thoughts, feelings, and the world around me.

Have you ever used paint samples as a creative prompt or as part of a creative project? If so, please let me know in the comments!

If you’re looking for more zine inspiration, this paint chip zine is one of 28 mini zines in my compilation book “mini zine magic” available in my store.

Thanks for reading!

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