Home

About the Artist

Paintings

Workshops

Guest Artists

Blog

Email Newsletter

Contact the Artist

News

20 Hour Work Week Challenge

This morning, on Twitter, I asked who would be interested in joining me with a challenge to myself.  The goal is to put in a minimum of 20 hours of writing/painting per week. Needless to say, I'm stuck now because several of my colleagues have responded saying that they're in.

Of course, each artist can design their 20 hours in a way that works best for their particular schedule. I do my best thinking and painting in the mornings, so that requires me to get started early. Some of my friends are night owls and would prefer to get started in the afternoon. Some have young children, some have to make dinner, some have outside full or part time jobs.

OK, so if anyone wants to join me in this challenge/experiment... I'd like us to check in with each other on Friday afternoons to let everyone else know striving for 20 hours of work is going.  If you have a twitter account, you can connect to me on Twitter and tweet me your stats. My twitter account is: www.twitter.com/Loriwords.

I'll then tweet several times to let everyone know how the others are doing and then write up a short blog perhaps to let everyone know what happened - where those who take on the challenge can comment.

Let me know your thoughts and if you're willing to join in on a 20 hour work week.
Lori

27 Responses to 20 Hour Work Week Challenge

Lee Ann Petropoulos
via web
I think this sounds like a wonderful idea! I just finished reading on another blog about how the writer schedules her day - it was all written out in 1 hr or 1/2 hr blocks. Ouch! But I could definitely say to myself - ok, put in 4 hours today on your art - whenever it works best. My twitter name is @lapetropoulos
Lori Woodward Simons
via web
Oh, and on Friday afternoons, we can "show and tell" with links from Twitter to our website or blog.

You'll probably read what I wrote on Fine Art Views or in my email newsletter, but I can certainly show you what paintings I'm working on. I'm so excited that you all will make me do an honest day's work.
Jared Ward
via web
I found this challenge on twitter through @abstanfield. I have a show in a month and a half, so I really need to do this. Thanks for giving me a program to help make it happen.
Amy Evans
via web
This is a great challenge. I accept. I found it on twitter through abstanfield
Cooper
via web
Hi Lori,
So I don't twitter, but I'll do the challenge from afar, as in, here, on fineartviews. Yeah, I am pretty sure twitter would take way more spare time than I've got :)

Later, Cooper
http://karencooperpaintings.com
Susie Monday
via web
I'd love to join you. I'm supposed to be a fulltime artist, so if I'm not managing to get in 20 hours of artmaking (vs. business vs. teaching vs. the rest of life) then I better get my little ol' self to work!
Kathleen McTee
via web
I am IN. Ditto what Susie said.
Brenda
via web
Lori, this is a great idea... and if I can get some organizing & uploading to my new website finished, I'll join this Friday for next week, and if not, will aim to begin a week Friday, if that's okay.

Meaning I hope you're thinking of a 20 hr work week for at least a couple of weeks or months!

Thanks for your great site and blog!
Sue Andrus
via web
I just found this through twitter, too. I am also a full time artist trying to dig out of a long creative block. Having to be accountable to someone, or a group, might just be the kick in the pants that I need to get back on track.
http://twitter.com/andrusgardens
Lori Woodward Simons
via web
Thanks everyone for getting back to me here.

If you don't use Twitter, don't worry, just email me at: lori@woodwardsimons.com

I'll write a blog each Monday letting everyone know what's working for people. Feel free to share among yourselves too.

Thanks Alyson! You make a huge difference.
Lori
Maureen Shotts
via web
I'm in on your 20 hour work week challenge. Can't find you on Twitter~
Cathy Holcombe
via web
I have three kids but I can work 10 hours a week - during naptime!
James Harris
via web
Lori,
I'm in. I saw this on twitter from clintavo. I'm just starting to live my dream. Trying to make a transition from a full time J-O-B to following my passion. I'm a sculptor not painter, but I also draw. Between sculpting and drawing in my sketch book this will be a good challenge to keep me focused on my goal of a new career.

Find me on twitter at http://twitter.com/jamesiharris
Joanne Giesbrecht
via web
I am so excited to be a part of this great idea, Lori. When I thought of making myself a schedule so that housework gets done, gardening is not neglected, and studio time is in there too, I immediately rebelled against my own idea of a schedule! This gives the flexibility of time in the studio when it suits me, making sure the priority is taken care of, but also removing the guilt of seeing my house with dustballs! Thanks for opening this up to others who need it - me! I'll be tweeting next Friday afternoon to see how everyone is doing!
Jandi Small
via web
What a great idea, Lori! Count me in too. On Twitter I am jansmall34251.
janet checker
via web
OK Lori I'll take the challenge. I have no trouble with 20 plus hours of painting but I sure do with the business end of it. I have several packets to mail out to galleries, contests and such, thye only need a couple of things added to it and I can't seem to get to it.
Roxanne Steed
via web
Count me in! I agree with Janet Checker, the business end is tricky to juggle in there, too. It's as close to a balanced life as I've ever had, but it sure takes a lot of juggling (& flapping) at times!
Elayne Kuehler
via web
I will join the 20 hours of work per week challenge. I acutally paint 30 hours a week. I am a very serious painter. My favorite time to paint is 11:00 am - 5:30 pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. I also play (at) the piano from 9:00 - 10:30 most mornings. I take piano lessons. And by the way, it is facinating to see how musical compositions are the same as painting compositions.
Lori Woodward Simons
via web
My twitter account is:
www.Loriwords.com
Beckie Saar Leone
via web
YES, yes, I need the structure & I love the Challenges.
I am a new daily painter & am just finishing developing my blog.
BUT, thank you so much for the email offer with Monday updates. I do not use Twitter & just can not justify the time.
I do use Facebook & would love to have a connection there! I know you Twitters can send your post to Facebook. Would that work for this? I'm going to tell all my FB friends about this now. BTW, I just read your article in Fine Art Views.
Sara Harper
via web
I found this on twitter through @LauraArtist.
I shoot for 20 hours, but lately I've been finding a lot of excuses for not getting 20 hours of art in every week. I've let myself get away with 20 hours of businss+art+marketing.
I NEED to be working in the studio more. I need to give myself 20 hours/week of making, and nothing else.
I think doing the 20 hour challenge with a group will help keep me on track. I'm in!
Lori Woodward Simons
via web
Sara,

I actually enjoy the marketing part - maybe even more than the artmaking part, but if I spend too much time marketing, there's nothing to market (goofy smile with tongue sticking out)

When we've got a significant body of work, then it's easy to convince people to buy it. A meager supply of paintings has never caught anyone's attention - at least it hasn't worked that way for me.
HARDPRESSED
via web
Count me in.
HARDPRESSED
via web
This is a wonderful idea. One of the things I struggled with the most, after retiring, is using my time effectively. After having such a structured schedule for so many years and then finding myself with my days wide open left me adrift. This year I set a goal of going to the studio on a regular basis to "go to work". This 20 hour challenge is a great support and will help keep me on task.
Lori Woodward Simons
via web
Hardpressed, just want to say that when I worked for a computer company, I had no trouble working - coz I won't goof around when someone else is paying me to work.

But now that the line between work, play and home stuff is often blurred, living an efficient life is much more difficult. I have to constantly watch how much time I waste on my computer.

I'm not wasting it right now, but I could be in few minutes LOL.








Artist Websites by FineArtStudioOnline
Mobile Site | iPhone Site | Regular Site