Out of all the feedback that I get from our ALFG subscribers, the need for finding more time to create is one of the issues that I hear about most.
Here are four ways to approach finding more time for your artistic work:
1. First: How much time do you REALLY need? Not much.
Don’t get bogged down in trying to figure out where you can carve out an extra 2 or 3 hours a day or week to pursue your creative passion. The key is to carve out 15 minutes here and 15 minutes there. Like pocket change found in your pockets each day, it can all add up over weeks at a time.
2. Find Time For Sketches, Not Masterpieces
You can lose time waiting for the “right” moment to create the next full-blown painting, illustration or other fully complete work. Instead, learn to target more time on pulling out the sketchpad and seeing what “mini masterpieces” spring up. Sketch work, like exercise, allows you to flex your creative muscles without needing an actual destination to reach. This positions you to be able to create even more of the finished pieces since every one of your “high profile” works started out as a sketch. The more sketches, the less pressure, and the more finished worked.
Sketch Anywhere, Even at 30k ft
You get a small enough sketchpad, you can virtually draw anything any where. I’ve taken my sketchpad on flights with me as I travel and have created work even at 30,000 feet in the sky! Break out the sketchpad while talking on the phone, while eating lunch, while watching TV with your spouse, anywhere!
4. Mistaking Downtime for Creative Time
Watching a movie, reading a magazine or playing video games can actually be great motivators for your creativity. But here’s the caution: When the motivation leads to no action, these things can keep you from getting up and drawing your own work. Don’t let your desire to be inspired by the works of others over stay it’s welcome.
SHARE YOUR VOICE:What are some of the ways you’ve tried to balance your time to fulfill your creative drive?
Need a Sketchpad? Need one that’s a Journal, Devotional and Sketchpad all rolled into one? Go here>>
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Thanks, Gimel-
Great to see that the art classes are still going strong!
Tony-
Now that I’m teaching these art classes, I have to sketch and draw more.
You’re absolutely right on the sketching as much as possible…its like cutting on hot water. At first you’re cold, but eventually you’ll warm up and each time you draw, it’ll be easier to get into that creative rhythm.
Also, I promise kids at my daughters school that I will draw them pictures during their lunch time and that keeps me drawing and challenging myself (making promises to the innocent tend to effect your conscience, so you have to produce…on time).
I also think about what I would want to see other artist do on their blog and website or just think about what’s not being said, especially from a Christian’s view point…and then the imagination runs like crazy.
Hey, Tony, good lookin’ out on this post…it was like Gatorade to an fatigued soul.