People say you need an easel, brushes, or even paint to call yourself an artist. Spoiler: you don’t. All too often, people shy away from creativity because they think it requires expensive supplies or a picture-perfect setup but almost all of my art has been made with a kid’s toy—the spirograph. Admittedly, there isn't an age limit on spirograph, but that's an argument for another day. I colour in with alcohol markers and most of my canvases are terrible photo canvas charity shop finds painted over because brand-new ones are just too pricey.

Breaking the Myth: What Even Is “Real” Art?

There’s this lingering misconception that art isn’t “real” unless it involves traditional materials. I can’t tell you how many times someone’s told me that spirograph isn’t “real” art. They’ll say, “But it’s just a stencil,” like that invalidates the time and creativity behind my work. By that logic, are authors not real unless they write with a quill and ink? Should we tell musicians they’re cheating because they don’t carve their instruments by hand?

The truth is, art isn’t about what tools you use. I learned this early on because, honestly, I was terrible at painting. But I had all these ideas I wanted to share, and those ideas needed different mediums—films, comics, even puppets. (Yes, I once made a puppet music video where a puppet gives birth. True story.) For me, art is about storytelling. The medium is just the vehicle for the message. Spirograph became the medium for me. When I posted my spirograph world map timelapse on YouTube and hit 25,000 views in days, I knew this “toy” had a serious place in my art.

The Joy of Spirographing

What makes spirograph art so special? It’s all about the shapes. At its core, a spirograph creates trochoids—beautiful, intricate patterns born from math. It’s art that’s both simple and sophisticated, reminding us that beauty lies in the details we often overlook. And let’s not forget the charm of nostalgia. Spirographs evoke memories of carefree childhood afternoons. They’re also accessible, proving that art doesn’t have to be an unattainable skill. It’s exciting to think, “Hey, I could do this too!”

Working with spirographs is like meditation with a twist. It’s calming, but every now and then, it surprises you with a pattern you didn’t expect. The intricate shapes—especially with sets like the Super Spirograph—can be mesmerizing.

While I didn’t use Spirograph much as a kid, starting later in life gave me the perspective to appreciate it even more. Watching people react to my work is half the fun. Middle-aged women and older men often get especially excited. There’s something about spirograph that sparks nostalgia, and then there’s the disbelief: “Wait, how many spirals are on this canvas?” My second world map, for instance, features over 2,000 individual spirals and took a year to complete. When people see it, they’re equal parts amazed and incredulous. And this is what I mean: you don’t need a fine arts degree to start spiraling. Many of us played with spirographs as kids, which makes it feel possible to create something amazing with them now. It’s proof that art doesn’t need to be intimidating—it just needs to be yours.

For Aspiring Artists: Get Messy!

If you’ve ever felt like you’re “not an artist” because you don’t use traditional tools, here’s your permission slip to toss that idea out the window. Art is what you make it. Your paintbrush can be anything—a spirograph, a pencil, a piece of chalk. The only requirement is that you put effort and heart into your work. Your paintbrush can be anything, from a pencil to a childhood toy.

Good art isn’t about following rules. It’s about putting in the time and effort to create something that speaks to you (or someone else). So grab whatever’s nearby, and just go for it. Get messy, and try everything.  You might just surprise yourself.

Inspired? Share this blog with someone who needs a nudge to get creative. Because everyone deserves a little reminder: you don’t need to paint to be an artist. And if you’d like to see what’s possible with a spirograph, check out my shop for original pieces and prints.