Exercises in Drawing and Writing

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Engage in a blind contour drawing exercise followed by sharing a story about the last time you were wildly happy, focusing on sensory details. Write in the present tense to tap into experiences. Engage in a 60-second drawing exercise with a partner, focusing on drawing without looking at the paper or lifting the pen, fostering immediate vulnerability and connection. Share stories and drawings with others to create a sense of openness and connection, despite the potential for 'bad' drawings. The exercise is about reframing the idea of 'good' and 'bad' and not about creating a perfect representation.

If you found yourself doodling or writing a lot as a child but then lost the hobby as you grew up, Wendy MacNaughton and Laurel Braitman want to help you recapture your spark. Wendy MacNaughton is an illustrator, the author of “How to Say Goodbye”, and the creator of Draw Together, an art and learning community. Laurel Braitman is a TED Fellow, the author of the memoir “What Looks Like Bravery”, and the founder of Writing Medicine, a community of writing healthcare professionals. Together, Wendy and Laurel created Attention Club, a group of people pursuing creativity by practicing focus with one another. In this episode, Wendy and Laurel join Chris for an in-person chat at the 2024 TED Conference where they discuss the feelings that arise when sharing art with an audience and why embracing mistakes can lead to more meaningful work.

For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts.