Clear the Runway to Let Your Art Take Off!
Do you ever have plans to create art, but you find that you have to take care of other matters first? You may find yourself saying:
I just need to eat first
Let me just check my email/Facebook/Instagram first
I better pay some bills before I get deep into artmaking
Oh! I need to call so-and-so back. I’ll do that first.
I better walk the dog first
Sometimes, you may find that you’ve run out of time to do your artmaking thanks to all of these other tasks!
I think it helps to clear the runway of any possible “speed bumps” so you can quickly take off into your art practice. What can you do that will allow you to fly into your studio and get working with no friction or delays?
First, you may want to spend time identifying your speed bumps. For example, if you find yourself losing precious time while selecting a reference photo, create a practice whereby you can easily print photos for reference and then put them in a specific storage location. Choose your reference photo the day before your artmaking session, so that decision is made and won’t slow you down.
That brings up a great idea: Create an assignment for your artmaking session ahead of time. Don’t go into your studio and poke around, wondering what to make (if this is a typical speed bump for you). Select your task ahead of time and write it down. You may want to write a list of the steps, too. This way, you’ll be guided and kept on track as you work through the project.
Try using “mis en place,” as chefs do—lay out all of your materials ahead of time, so you can fly into your studio and begin with velocity!
What about other speed bumps? Clearly our mobile devices are speed bumps for all of us. What’s your plan to avoid getting sucked into your email or social media? Are you willing to turn off your phone’s volume beginning a half-hour before your art time?
Some speed bumps are important things for us to do, such as bills, paperwork, phone calls, and home/life management. I suggest that you move these speed bumps off the runway in either direction: to a specified time that is either before or after your artmaking time. Set an appointment with yourself to do these admin tasks, and keep your appointment! During that time, do nothing else but power through your tasks and responsibilities. I wake up at 4am some workday mornings to get my admin tasks behind me!
By being more intentional about your time and adopting a belief that your artmaking time is sacred and important, you will be able to fly down the runway and fly into your artmaking flow!
In the video below, I invite you to witness the power of one brushstroke, one touch of your medium today! I'm really curious to know if you've experienced something similar to this, contact me and let me know!
