Art For A Change

The prompt is just the beginning

Deb Putnoi — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 12:26:40 GMT

Some thoughts on the weekly prompts. It’s okay to go slow. To miss a week or a month of doing these prompts. You do not need to do them in any specific order. You can repeat them over and over. You can even do one prompt every day for a whole year! See what happens. What changes and what stays the same. There is something very powerful that happens when you constrain your practice. Your creativity can flourish in ways you never expected. There is freedom within structure. The prompts are a container that lets creativity deepen.

I encourage you to try different materials. Don’t always use a pencil. Try a ball point pen, charcoal, graphite, gel pen, ink and a stick, or a Sharpie marker. Combine different materials for one prompt. Experiment drawing on different surfaces. Paper, newspaper, construction paper, old paper bags, tin foil, cardboard, black paper, tan paper, bark, wax paper or whatever you can find.

In all of this I want you to experience a deeper connection to yourself through a drawing practice. You do it your way. Like when you practice meditation. Find the way that is most comfortable for you.

PROMPT:

Shape Shifting

Deb Putnoi — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 01:10:24 GMT

Try doing this prompt several times with different kinds of drawing materials and different surfaces. See what happens!

Let Your Pencil Dance

Deb Putnoi — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 12:03:29 GMT

Let your pencil dance on the page to the music.

What Does Music Feel Like?

It’s about more than hearing—it’s about translating sound into movement and marks. That question invites everyone, whether you consider yourself an artist or not, to explore your sense of hearing in a deeper more connected way. Drawing is another way of thinking, listening, and experiencing the world.

I did these drawings recently at Tanglewood during a concert of classical music. I closed my eyes and used my opposite hand to draw what I was hearing just using my lines and marks. Once you let go and trust your line it is a very freeing experience.

Give it a try. Allow yourself to listen to different types of music and draw what you are hearing. How do you draw the sound of the violin? Or the tuba? Or soft music. What kind of MARKS do you use?

Your Other Hand Knows Something

Deb Putnoi — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:28:12 GMT

A lot of what I teach is about embracing the “what if” approach to creativity. “What if I start to draw with my other hand, the hand I don’t usually use? What would happen on the page? How would I feel? Can I even create anything resembling what I am seeing? Cultivating your CURIOSITY is essential when exploring your Drawing Mind. Find a plant, a tree, or a flower and to draw it with the hand you don’t normally use. Try it with different materials. What do you notice about the lines you are making? When you look at your drawing(s) what does drawing with your opposite hand capture?

What I Learned from My Hair

Deb Putnoi — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 18:57:36 GMT

In my writing group today Lynne asked us to explore the theme of “travel.” One woman in her zoom box with long brownish hair reminisced about traveling internationally and meeting a group of people who were enamored with her hair. She said she encouraged them to touch her hair. To feel how thin and soft it is. Even though they were tentative at first they ran their fingers through her hair in delight. She felt it was a way to break boundaries and preconceptions we have of each other.

When I lost my hair with chemo I felt like I had lost my identity. I always had long blond or dirty blond and lately grayish blond hair. It was thick and wavy and was a big part of who I was. Being almost bald, I would run my hand over my head trying to remember what my thick hair felt like. As it has grown back I find myself constantly stroking my short thick soft hair. My husband loves running his fingers through it like he is patting my head.

We are so familiar with our hair that it is a wonderful place to start when we are drawing to our sense of TOUCH. We have it with us and we can run our own fingers through it and feel the texture. Is it rough? Spiky? Smooth? Curly? Long? Thick? Using just your marks draw what you feel. If you happen to be bald draw the texture of your head or ask a friend or family member if you can draw the texture of their hair or draw the texture of your pet’s fur.

Remember there are NO MISTAKES when you are drawing and exploring your Drawing Mind.

Become a Paid Subscriber for a Deeper Drawing Experience

If you’d like the experience of having me guide you personally, the paid subscription is designed just for that.

Each week you’ll receive an audio recording where I talk you through that weeks drawing prompt—as if you were sitting in my studio. I’ll encourage you, ask questions, and guide your drawing process step by step, helping you move beyond self-judgment and into creative discovery.

Many weeks I’ll also include an exclusive video that expands on the prompt with additional ideas, variations, and demonstrations.

I’ll also introduce you to artists whose work connects to the week’s prompt, offering inspiration and new ways of seeing. Together we’ll explore how different artists use their MARKS and approach emotion, rhythm, and creative expression.

The paid subscription is like joining me for a private weekly drawing class—a chance to slow down, experiment, build confidence, and develop your own unique visual language.

Coming Soon

IN AUGUST

I will be teaching for Zinna Literary:

The Drawing Mind: Draw, Write, Reflect
Four Mondays, August 3 through 24
8–9pm Eastern Time

Develop a creative practice for slowing down, seeing clearly, and reconnecting with your inner visual and expressive voice. Each of our sessions will begin with a brief two-minute centering meditation followed by guided drawing and writing explorations designed to awaken observation, imagination, and reflection. No artistic experience is necessary—only curiosity and a willingness to engage in the process. Through playful and reflective practices, we’ll explore drawing and writing as tools for insight, presence, and connection. Participants will experiment with intuitive mark-making, visual journaling, and
expressive writing in a supportive and inspiring environment.

To sign up: https://dianezinna.com/2026-summer-series/

JOIN & SHARE

I’d love for you to join this growing community of people who believe that everyone can draw. If someone comes to mind while reading this, please share this email with them. Creativity grows when it’s shared.

Thank you for being here. I can’t wait to draw with you.

Warmly,

Deb Putnoi

Artist • Author of The Drawing Mind • Creativity Educator

Everyone can DRAW. Drawing is thinking. Drawing is a way of seeing ourselves and connecting with the world.

Draw Happy: Draw the Feeling, Not the Thing

Deb Putnoi — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 05:22:41 GMT

Drawing can be a tool that helps us to process our emotions. Without even thinking too much try expressing HAPPY using only your marks. Don’t draw a smiley face or a happy figure. Think of how your lines, dots and dashes can express this feeling in an abstract way. If you do this activity with friends or family compare how you draw HAPPY. What do you notice when you look at each other’s drawings? Did you use the same lines?

If you are having trouble starting these drawing prompts I offer more in-depth audio guidance for each prompt in the paid portion of my Substack. In just ten minutes I walk you through the exercise like I am with you in a classroom. I am also offering a more in-depth video of me teaching you how to draw to different emotions and I share what I draw in my sketchbook as we do these drawing exercises together. I offer other prompts and suggestions.

Remember there is no wrong way to do these drawing exercises. Find your own way in and feel free to experiment and play.

The Tree I Return To

Deb Putnoi — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:58:55 GMT

I lean on trees. I hug trees. I touch trees. I smell trees. All around me I see trees. Whenever I feel lost or overwhelmed I walk to my nearest tree. I do have a tree that I visit regularly. It is a touchstone for me regardless of the weather. An icy approach I lean against its rough cold surface and close my eyes and breath in and out. Imagining the symbiotic molecules being exchanged. My carbon dioxide in exchange for its oxygen. We are umbilically connected even though we cannot see the tangled cords we can sense our interconnectedness. In just a few minutes I feel my breathing slow and a wave of calm washes through me. Trees for me have always been human-like and trees like us are one of a kind. No two trees are the same. Their branches arc into the air in their own one of a kind patterns.

The goal of this prompt is for you to start looking at and seeing trees as individual forms. Without picking up your pencil draw the tree that your looking at. Take your time. Enjoy the looking process. The tree you draw doesn’t have to look perfect or exactly like the tree. The drawing is a way for you to connect more deeply with trees. Posted below are some photos of trees that you can draw from if that is easier for you or you can’t get outside.

If you upgrade to a paid subscription you receive an audio of me guiding you through this prompt, an example of how I did this prompt, another TREE prompt to try and a bit of art history so that you can see how other artists have drawn trees.

Thanks for reading Art For A Change! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Wake up your senses

Deb Putnoi — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:17:50 GMT

Let’s wake up your senses! This is one of my favorite ways to draw and I love sharing it with others. For this prompt I want you to draw using your sense of TOUCH as the catalyst for your drawing! Think of your fingers as having eyes. Everything all around us have different kinds of textures. Smooth, rough, bumpy, velvety, cold, soft, the list could go on and on. There are things to touch all around you. You could draw the texture of your hair, your skin, your socks, your pet, your jacket, your chair.

For this prompt we are going to draw one object that we are not looking at when we are drawing it. You can ask a family member or friend to pick an object and place it into a paper bag. Or you can do this for yourself. Even if you know what the object is you can still do this prompt and see how much information you receive through your sense of touch. Once you put your hand in the bag I want you to draw what you are feeling. Draw all of the textures that the object has. Use all of your different kinds of MARKS (lines, dots and dashes). If you have charcoal try using this material to draw the textures you are feeling.

Remember there are no mistakes only new discoveries. If you enjoy this process of drawing try this same exercise with different objects. If you want more ideas for drawing to your sense of TOUCH or to have me walk you through the exercise with my tailored audio that accompanies this prompt please upgrade to the paid experience. Thank you for being part of this community!

You Are Here: Draw a Map of You

Deb Putnoi — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:00:13 GMT

Many people think that drawing is for artists. But if you think about it we all draw at different times. Watch a basketball game and the coach is mapping out plays for the players to follow. Get lost, ask for directions and a stranger might draw you a map of how to get from where you are to where you want to go. Walk into a doctor’s office with knee pain and she might draw you a map of where a ligament is torn so you can visualize what is happening inside your body. Drawing is a way for us to understand in a clearer visual way. This week we will explore MAPPING our own selves. You can do this any way you choose just do it in a visual way. In the prompt above I started a quick map of who I am. What makes you who you are? The one of a kind YOU! Like we explored last week we all make our own MARK. This week let’s explore further. What makes up your days, your thoughts, your dreams and your imagination? What do you like to do? Think of this as a visual brainstorm and see how deeply you can dive in. Remember there are no mistakes when doing this or any drawing you do with me. If you want to share your drawing or if you questions or comments please feel free to share!

Art For A Change is a reader-supported publication. To support this work, please consider upgrading to a paid subscription. The following is included:

You will see a more complete color version of my map and more MAPPING prompt ideas that you can explore. Listen to the audio companion that goes with this prompt. It feels like I am sitting next to you describing and walking you through the prompt. Look at art images of artists that use mapping in their own work. Book suggestions to explore this Art as Map idea further. Join a LIVE ZOOM Creativity Crew session happening soon!

On your mark get set...Make Your Mark

Deb Putnoi — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:38:28 GMT

Three more months. My scan was clear so my race to continue to “get it all done” is on! This Substack is not about my cancer journey but at times it will be because for me drawing and making art has always been a way for me to make sense of my reality. Maybe that is why I became an artist in the first place. I never went anywhere from a very young age without paper and crayons or my sketchbook and drawing pencils. I get anxious if I leave my house with a small sketchbook even to this day. I feel naked and exposed. What if I need that escape? Maybe in reality I am an escape artist but instead of chains that bind me physically my exit hatch to escape is through a pencil point.

Drawing is our way of saying in a visible way, “I am here!” You are leaving a visible trace. A trace of your existence. This week we are going to explore our MARKS the way that we make a mark on a plain piece of paper. You may be making your mark on this world in myriad ways. As a teacher, a city planner, a poet, a dog walker, an astronaut…the list could go on forever. In this prompt do all of your MARKS on one piece of paper. You can use different materials, you can draw with friends or family, you can do it before you go to bed or any time you have five or ten minutes.

Deb’s Rules of Drawing:

Debsdrawingrulesdrawinglabcourse (2)

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Below are some examples of other people who have done the exact same exercise.

What do you notice about your drawing and theirs? Are they all the same?

You will see that they are ALL DIFFERENT! We could do this exercise with 1000’s of people and the drawings would always look different. We have our OWN way to make a mark on the page. We all have our own visual voice. You could even do this exercise every day for the week and it would look different from the other days.

I also like to share this exercise because MARKS are the language of drawing. You could break down any artist’s drawing and see the different kinds of marks they use. You can see the different kinds of DOTS, DASHES and LINES the artist uses and how they put those marks on the page. And the beauty of drawing and art is that we all do this differently. Even if I tried to make my MARK like yours it would always look differently. The way you hold the pencil, put pressure on the pencil on the page, you have your own way to make a trace of YOU. This is to be celebrated. Don’t hide because you don’t want to be seen in your marks but feel confident in your one of a kind visual voice!

On another note I was so excited by everyone that signed up for the Art For A Change newsletter that I would love to send you a snail mail postcard once in a while. I design different cards and would love to brighten your snail mail box (just email me your name and snail mail address if you want) or if you would rather you can download the image below and use it to color and find some calm.

If you jump into the paid tier I will be showing you how different artists use marks in their drawings. I will share other mark making exercises along with a Drawing Lab audio that will guide you through this exercise in real time. Just like I am in the room with you. It is only $50 for the year or $5 a month.

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"So What" Scribbles

Deb Putnoi — Tue, 26 May 2026 02:10:16 GMT

I live life in three month increments right now. I grew up with the mantra “every minute counts,” make those minutes you are alive filled with activity. I never learned to be comfortable at rest. Not pursuing something. And now with the scans I need to cram that mantra of living into these three month bursts. I am asking myself today, the day before my next scans, did I get it all in? Did I use my time creatively? One of the main things I wanted to do these months is to get my Substack really going. But with my “every minute counts living” I also have the self critical perfectionist voice sitting on my other shoulder preventing me from action. As a true Libra I am in a bind of action versus inaction.

I am down to the wire. I have said in the past I want this space to be a place that I share ways I know to boost your creativity To share my process of living a life as an artist and to build a community around living creatively. I have been doing this for decades now in my teaching and exhibiting my work but I want to share consistently here. I want to share the messiness that is my life, the curiosity that feeds my days and the way I stay sane and connected through my art process.

One way I thought I could do this is to share a weekly Drawing PROMPT (invitation, suggestion, spark). If you are part of my FREE Substack Newsletter you will receive this prompt. If you level up to the monthly ($5/month) or yearly ($50/year) you will receive an audio of me guiding you through the prompt in real time like you are sitting with me and I am teaching you how to do the prompt in real time.

Each prompt takes about 10 minutes to complete (although you can do it for as long as you want) and the prompts are for all ages and abilities. You can be an absolute beginner or a practicing artist and get connected to your Drawing Mind and creativity in new ways. Also, if you are in the paying tier I will be doing monthly drawing zooms or sharing a video of me in the studio. I will also be sharing other prompts that go with the weekly prompt and other creativity and drawing inspiration.

If you become a founding member you get everything listed plus an original work on paper by me!

I hope you join this community. That you share your discoveries about your creativity and living with your eyes wide open and staying curious.

Welcome to Prompt #1

“So What” Scribbles

We all can draw and when we were toddlers we all scribbled. Give yourself permission to just scribble on a piece of paper for a couple of minutes. Use as many different drawing materials that you have. If you only have a pen or pencil that is fine too! Scribble with your right hand and then your left hand. Just enjoy freedom and try not to judge what comes out on the page. Remember to just have fun!

If you want access the private audio podcast join the monthly or yearly level and I will guide you through. It is another way that I can support your practice drawing consistently.Otherwise trust your Drawing Mind you know what to do and there are no mistakes only new discoveries!

Email me with any questions.

Draw A Tree and Me

Deb Putnoi — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 02:12:54 GMT

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One Line

A blank page can be intimidating. Whether you are writing or drawing the stark white emptiness makes us doubt ourselves. But I am here to help you dive into the magic of the empty space and find your visual voice. I believe that everyone can draw and that drawing itself can change you. You do not need to be an artist to draw or to get the benefit from drawing. Even drawing abstract srcribbly drawings can bring us calm and connection. Click the audio above and do a quick drawing exercise with me. Think of it as a doodle break or a couple of minutes to de-stress and find calm.

1. Drawing Activist

I call myself a Drawing Activist because I want to bring the power of drawing to everyone. I am launching this space so that I can share my work as a visual artist, author and educator.

2. Creative Community

If you are craving more creativity in your life this is for you. Whether you feel creative or not I will share prompts, ideas, videos, my creative process, writings and more. I have been an artist and educator for over 30 years and have exhibited my artwork internationally. I wrote a book, “The Drawing Mind” and want to share with you my philosophy and ideas about finding and exploring our visual voices.

3. In Your Inbox

Once a week I will share what’s on my creative mind. If you want to receive exclusive videos and other art goodies there are different levels of access and participation. I love teaching and sharing my knowledge about art, creativity and the art world. Let me know if you have questions or things you want me to teach. I am so looking forward to creating this community together.

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Coming soon

Deb Putnoi — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 12:57:58 GMT

This is Art For A Change.

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Episode 5: Lets's Draw What You Hear!

Deb Putnoi — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 20:58:21 GMT

In this episode we are doing some drawing! Don't worry you can do this! We are going to draw things that we hear. Some sounds and music clips. You can do this on your own or you can do this with your family or a group of friends. Give it a try. Share your drawings with each other. Share them in The Drawing Lab's Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/130238957590168/ We would love to see what you draw!

To learn more and get a free copy of the Make Your Mark exercise click here: https://deborah-putnoi-44de.mykajabi.com/pl/64163

Join The Drawing Lab on Facebook and share your drawings:

https://www.facebook.com/TheDrawingMind/

Buy "The Drawing Mind" book here: https://www.shambhala.com/the-drawing-mind.html

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/putnoiartforachange/support

Episode 4: Making Mistakes

Deb Putnoi — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 19:01:47 GMT

Mistakes are pathways to new discoveries. Artist and educator Deb Putnoi describes what she finds in classrooms of all ages where students are scared to draw because they are scared to make a mistake or "do it wrong." Even young children are scared. Through simple open ended drawing exercises Putnoi through her Drawing Lab method helps students and teachers in the classroom let go of fear and find ways to embrace their "mistakes" and follow the journey of their lines. Once we learn how to still our fearful minds and engage directly with our creative selves then we start to see that learning, creating and living are messy endeavors and "mistakes" may be hidden opportunities if we just let ourselves stay open to possibility.

To learn more and get a free copy of the Make Your Mark exercise click here: https://deborah-putnoi-44de.mykajabi.com/pl/64163

Join The Drawing Lab on Facebook and share your drawings:

https://www.facebook.com/TheDrawingMind/

Buy "The Drawing Mind" book here: https://www.shambhala.com/the-drawing-mind.html

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/putnoiartforachange/support

Episode 3: Was I more naked than the model?

Deb Putnoi — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 16:17:18 GMT

Artist Deb Putnoi describes the first time she drew a nude model when she was 16 at The School of the Museum of Fine Arts. Putnoi says: "I realized that I fully clothed was more naked in my drawings than this model had been in the middle of the classroom, in front of me. My line, my drawings were a fishing pole into my inner soul to the core of who I was—my line revealed my angst in its shaky, unsure line but it was my line, one that I would continue to develop."

Leading listeners, Putnoi teaches you how to draw a blind contour drawing.

To learn more and get a free copy of the Make Your Mark exercise click here: https://deborah-putnoi-44de.mykajabi.com/pl/64163

Join The Drawing Lab on Facebook and share your drawings:

https://www.facebook.com/TheDrawingMind/

Buy "The Drawing Mind" book here: https://www.shambhala.com/the-drawing-mind.html

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/putnoiartforachange/support

Episode 2: Drawing Together

Deb Putnoi — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 14:59:13 GMT

It is a small but powerful act. One that everyone can do. Drawing. It is a pencil, ballpoint pen, charcoal on paper. It is a mark in the sand, chalk on the sidewalk. Drawing, is a visual language. Making marks on a surface is a truly democratic activity, something that everyone regardless of age, culture, socio-economic status can take part in. So why is there so much fear and anxiety about the process? If I talk to most people about drawing I usually hear, “oh I couldn’t draw a straight line.” In this episode I talk about the power of drawing together and seeing that that we all have our own individual visual voice.

To learn more and get a free copy of the Make Your Mark exercise click here: https://deborah-putnoi-44de.mykajabi.com/pl/64163

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/putnoiartforachange/support

Episode 1: Make Your Mark

Deb Putnoi — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 15:49:22 GMT

Art can change your life if you let it. Welcome to artist and educator Deb Putnoi’s Art For A Change Podcast. Putnoi is a drawing activist who believes that the power to create personal and community change can happen through the tip of a pencil. Listen today to learn how you can unlock your one of a kind Drawing Mind! You exercise your body now exercise your brain through drawing! Learn to Make Your Mark!

To learn more about Deb Putnoi's Philosophy you can purchase her book, "The Drawing Mind" or sign up for her Drawing Challenge here: at The Drawing Lab

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/putnoiartforachange/support

Deb Putnoi (Trailer)

Deb Putnoi — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 15:49:22 GMT

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/putnoiartforachange/support