Time!
Carve some out and claim it for yourself.
- Are there ways that you can make it easy for yourself to claim time for art?
- Are there small ways to work art making into your day?
- Are there little changes that you can make that would support your art practice?
Some of the most powerful art making habits that I practice require very little time. I encourage you to be open to seeing how you can fit tiny art making habits into your day.
1 – Take a picture
I noticed this series of shadows when I was sitting at the Addison Gallery of American Art.
Shadows are my thing. I notice them all the time on my walks. It is pretty easy to pull out my phone and capture the shadow. The shadows can then become, stencils, drawings or prints.
Photograph your thing!
2 – Flip through books
Go to the library or bookstore and skim books that look interesting to you. You could look at a certain technique or artist or artistic style. Maybe even get inspiration from a completely new approach that you have never tried.
I hardly ever read an art book. I look at pictures and get more of a feeling from the books.
3 – Doodle, scribble or write
Find a pen and a stack of index cards and leave them everywhere:
- beside your bed
- on the coffee table
- in your purse
- in the car
- in your backpack
The little index card journal can be used for:
- quick sketches
- imaginary drawings
- collage
- reminder notes and more
4 – Enjoy nature!
Nature can be an infinite source of inspiration for your art practice. Think of “nature” in the broadest sense. You can step out your office door in the city and let the sun shine down on your face!
Air, water, earth – find some and smile!
Let it sink in and then you can bring the feeling back to the studio in the form of:
- sketches
- ideas
- photos
- tools and
- new energy and plans.
I hope I have given you some ideas on how to make time for your art practice. Maybe take an art class.
If you can claim a little time to feed your art practice, then that creative energy will spill over into other parts of your day. Enjoy!