Life Is Complicated
We all have days when we are torn in too many directions. Artists are more often subjected to having to juggle business related tasks with art making tasks, and then there are the necessary chores of the day that must get done. While most of our friends and acquaintances deal with these very same problems, we artists have a doubly difficult time because so much of our non-art activity disturbs our ability to get into the art-making zone.
It's not as though we can quickly shift our minds into creative-mode - in fact, it's scientifically been proven that we can't get instantly into the creative zone. So what's an artist to do?
One of the ways that I've seen other creative persons deal with this problem is to have an art-making sanctuary with all the props that are conducive to productive right-brained work. Usually, it's a studio. If we could truly multi-task as artists, we wouldn't need a studio, but I've come to the conclusion that having a place that's separated from distractions is a key to my productivity.
No Internet In the Studio:
My creative atmosphere must be as free from distractions as possible. First, I can't have a computer in there that's hooked up to the world - the world usually prevents me from making art. I've also read about studies where language interrupts the right brained thinking process, so I don't have a phone in the studio or play music that invites me to listen intently to the words. Although I will admit that some songs with lyrics don't necessarily pull me out of the zone because I've heard these songs numerous times and actually do not listen to the words anymore.
I am not by nature an orderly person. I have to work at it. I'm fairly lazy and would never put anything away if I didn't need to.
If my studio is a mess and I have to look for stuff, my creative spirit takes a nosedive. By keeping my studio in shambles, I'm making a visual excuse to keep me from making my artwork. Yes, I am aware that some of you out there have "organized piles" and if you can work in that environment, then it's okay, but for me, I feel better when I have space and order.
Make An Appointment With Your Inner Artist
My best time to create is right after breakfast. I have known this fact about myself for decades, and if I fail to acknowledge this first thing in the morning, I cheat myself from having a day where I create my best work. As I've mentioned in some of my blogs on Fine Art Views, if I get to the studio to paint first - before anything else can interrupt my mind and sight, I end up putting in a good day at the easel. If we're honest with ourselves, we are fully aware of the time of day that we make our best art. I emplore you to make an appointment with your easel as often as you can allow time for.
Resist Sloppy Schedules
Many days I'll start by answering email and then looking at my bookmarks on the Internet. I look at the clock and tell myself that I'll get off the PC by such and such a time. Then I forget I said that and look up: UGH! I've passed the time I said I would start working on my real work, and instead of standing up and walking away from my PC for the day, I state another time... this is crazy and useless behavior on my part and only extends falling into the Social Media trap and delays my success as an artist.
Create New and Healthy Habits
So what's an artist to do? Get serious! Realize that making art is "what you do". Don't just pretend to be an artist by saying you are - you are really only an artist when you are making art. My husband is a software engineer only when he is at work. When he's home, he's his other parts.
I'm not saying put art before people and responsibility, but making art must come in somewhere near the top of the list, while goofing around on the PC must come after your other, more important responsibilities are taken care of. Social media is fun and is truly now a part of my life, but I am learning to treat it like dessert rather than my main course.
So as
Clint Watson Says: Now Go Change the World - he means with your artwork. So Go... and "make it so".
