Why Art Without Batteries is Good for You

When was the last time you made art or design that required no batteries? Start to finish, no electricity? If that’s hard to answer, it’s okay. Our creative world is wonderfully wired and those tools are a blast. But here’s a secret many of us rarely experience: Making things without batteries is super satisfying. The illustration above was made with watercolor crayons (Caran d’ Ache by Genéve), water brush (Pentel’s cheap version), and outlined with a brush dipped in blue ink. It’s a birthday card for Janet, and I had fun drawing our cat, Cowboy, in a spontaneous new way.

Why is this toolset and process satisfying?

• It activates your senses; notice the feeling—and sound—of a crayon on textured paper or the aroma of ink.

• It’s not perfect—and that’s okay; the organic, imperfect flow of ink and watercolor reminds us that raw, honest expression can be as equally satisfying as pixel-perfect precision.

• It’s good for your brain; just like weightlifting builds muscle, our minds benefit from doing new things.

• It’s good for your audience; in 2023, people still appreciate things made by hand.

A simple challenge: Make something without batteries. Try (or revisit) an unfamiliar, nonelectric art medium or tool. Keep it simple and fun. And bonus tip: crank up your favorite songs while you do it.