Make Your Own Artist Powerup Rewards Cards

Artist Powerup Rewards Cards might just be the key to getting out of the creative doldrums! They’re also just plain FUN to make!

Welcome to our second week of The Creative Play Challenge! This week we’re going to be making Artist Powerup Cards. Maybe you’re thinking, “What in the WORLD is an Artist Powerup card?” Well, let me explain.

Last summer I checked out a tome of a book at the library called Superbetter. It was all about the science of games (video games in particular) and how when we make challenges in life more game-like, we end up having a much more positive experience. There is a lot more to that book than my one pathetic synopsis sentence, but one of the things that struck me almost immediately was how the author created her own personal powerups each day to give herself encouragement when she was recovering from a severe concussion.

I’m no video game expert, but I do know that powerups are the extra lives, the extra strength, and the fun little doodads you win while you’re playing a game that of course, encourage you to keep going!

This concept can easily be adapted to our lives as creatives. Because, let’s be honest, there are a MILLION things that get us down, take our time, and just plain keep us from creating. And when we finally DO sit down for some creative time, sometimes we find ourselves uninspired and not in the mood.

That’s where these cards come in. They are the spark that refocuses you and the encouragement that makes you want to continue to play in your creative game.

The KEY to making your own Artist Powerup Cards is simply this:

You Have To Think of Things that Encourage YOU and Give YOU and Extra Spark.

It will do you little good to copy the cards I made if the thought of singing your heart out or drawing spells boredom for you.

So, before we get started, grab an index card or scratch piece of paper. Write down 10-15 things that just plain make you smile. Is it listening to a certain musician? Is it a good belly laugh? Does a walk out in the fresh air help reset your focus? Go ahead, and write.

These are going to be the basis for your powerup cards.

And here is how you can make them. (No fancy artist skills required.)

How to Make Your Own Artist Powerup Cards

You’ll need:

Artist trading cards (or plain index cards)
Pens, pencils, watercolors, markers, glue, magazines, stamps, etc. to decorate!

I like to use artist trading cards because they’re around the size of a business card. They also have a bit more texture than a normal index card. However, if you don’t have access to these, then use index cards or cut paper into business card size.

Now it’s time to DECORATE!

I pulled these tiny stamps out of retirement to make my powerup cards. I forgot how meditative it is to slowly stamp each letter. I guess even making these cards was a powerup of sorts.

I used my watercolors to lay down blobs of color onto the paper and then let them dry completely. Then I used a black gelli roll pen to add detail.

YOU could . . . cut a magazine apart to find images that represent the words you’re using. Or you could look for colors to collage on each card so you would end up with a rainbow of cards to choose from.

My sweet child was so enthralled with the concept of a stamp that she helped me out on my “draw” card. Oh well. It adds character.

Please know there is no wrong way to do this.

Doodle. Paint. Write. Scribble. These cards are for you. If they make you smile when you look at them, all the better. If you’re really struggling because you want them perfect so you’re having a difficult time getting started, enlist a kid to help. Have them go for it with the art supplies. You can add your words to their art. No shame in that.

When you’re finished, gather the cards together and put them someplace where you can easily access them. At first, you probably won’t naturally go to them when you’re feeling bleh. So keep them in a place where you can see them until you get used to the idea.

Aim to use 3-5 of these Every Day. Seriously. You don’t have to take a ton of time on them, but these 5 minute breaks from the go-go-go of life will be so good for your soul, and they’ll begin to fuel your creative tank. Believe me.

Okay, now it’s your turn! I’d love to hear what you’re going to write on your cards.

I’m so thrilled to be on this journey to a more creative life with YOU!

Hope you have a lovely {and creative} day!