Just Play-Doh

Art: Lisa Olian

Creation Date: 2020-2023

A few years ago, I had a dream that I was playing with Play-Doh, so I did what any sensible adult would do — I went out to the store, bought some Play-Doh…and played! I found so much joy and creative freedom in this, that I found myself playing again and again with this compound made for kids.

In my exploration in creating art out of Play-Doh, it allows me to create imperfectly. It’s messy. It’s free. Sometimes the line weight is too think or too thin. Sometimes the lighting isn’t just right. Sometimes a letter hits too tight to another. But, then I push myself to share the imperfect form. And there is something freeing in that. I hope that in my creating with Play-Doh, I reignite the joy of playing in others.