Habits of the busy Artist
Keeping a planner
This one is a must for me. I have consistently kept a planner for 7 years now. My planner of choice is a 8"x5" Moleskine weekly planner. In it I schedule out appointments, mural dates, commission deadlines and events. I also have been getting into the habit of recording special moments in my planner. These are just wildlife sightings, happy moments and anything I'd want to remember about that year. It's important to record your inspiration in a notebook or sketchbook.
Time management
Learn how you spend your time creating. Some creators are night owls, some are early birds, and some are most productive in the middle of the day. If you know what times you're creative most, you can schedule accordingly. I usually schedule out my week every Sunday. I will block out days and time frames in my planner. You can use your digital calendar if that's what you prefer, whatever works for you. Sometimes things come up and you have to re-arrange your time but it gives you a good outline and goal to work towards. I have found that if I block out time for art I am more likely to get it done.
Learn how you spend your time creating. Some creators are night owls, some are early birds, and some are most productive in the middle of the day. If you know what times you're creative most, you can schedule accordingly. I usually schedule out my week every Sunday. I will block out days and time frames in my planner. You can use your digital calendar if that's what you prefer, whatever works for you. Sometimes things come up and you have to re-arrange your time but it gives you a good outline and goal to work towards. I have found that if I block out time for art I am more likely to get it done.
Love what you do
Its important to be creative as much as you can. Even when you have jobs and commissions to work on, its really important to create for yourself. If you are just constantly grinding you will find yourself spent and uninspired. In order to feel fulfilled as an artist you MUST work on personal projects that make you happy. That could be other artwork, crafts or starting something new. Just make sure you are recharging yourself.
Its important to be creative as much as you can. Even when you have jobs and commissions to work on, its really important to create for yourself. If you are just constantly grinding you will find yourself spent and uninspired. In order to feel fulfilled as an artist you MUST work on personal projects that make you happy. That could be other artwork, crafts or starting something new. Just make sure you are recharging yourself.
Be realistic
We want to do it all. We want to take on every opportunity handed to us, make money and be successful. If you follow that mentality you may find yourself in over your head and stretched way too thin. The best way to prevent being over worked is to know how much time you will end up spending on each project. Then budget your time wisely. If you are able to take on work, do it, but be mindful of your abilities to produce.
We want to do it all. We want to take on every opportunity handed to us, make money and be successful. If you follow that mentality you may find yourself in over your head and stretched way too thin. The best way to prevent being over worked is to know how much time you will end up spending on each project. Then budget your time wisely. If you are able to take on work, do it, but be mindful of your abilities to produce.
Go at your own pace
Don't rush it. Don't try to rush your career or your work. It takes a lot of time and practice to develop your skill and your business. You can find yourself getting overwhelmed by trying to do it all. Take it step by step to build yourself up. If there's something you really want to do, just make a plan and work towards it. I really believe that if you go at your own pace and work hard, the best opportunities will come to you.
Stay true to who you are
No matter what you see on social media or out in the world, it's important to stay true to yourself. Its easy to follow trends and try to fit in, but it'll never be authentic. Create whatever you want to let yourself and your work evolve. Don't worry about what anyone says or thinks. Just be you and create what you like. When you do that you put the best energy into your work and it will shine through. Your work will have soul.
Don't rush it. Don't try to rush your career or your work. It takes a lot of time and practice to develop your skill and your business. You can find yourself getting overwhelmed by trying to do it all. Take it step by step to build yourself up. If there's something you really want to do, just make a plan and work towards it. I really believe that if you go at your own pace and work hard, the best opportunities will come to you.
Stay true to who you are
No matter what you see on social media or out in the world, it's important to stay true to yourself. Its easy to follow trends and try to fit in, but it'll never be authentic. Create whatever you want to let yourself and your work evolve. Don't worry about what anyone says or thinks. Just be you and create what you like. When you do that you put the best energy into your work and it will shine through. Your work will have soul.
 |
| "Gems of the West" Series Painting |
100% agree. Great read!
ReplyDelete