Here’s My Reason for Posting It:

I’ve come across a LOT of Christian visual artists where either they or their website is always talking about what they are planning to do, planning to be or planning to launch. The funny thing is three year’s later they are still planning to do, planning to be or planning to launch.

And then there’s those of us who are always starting the “next big thing”, but it never takes on a life of its own because it gets tabled by “the next big thing”.

You Also Seem to Struggle with This:

From the poll so far, 27% of you said you struggle most with Starting things.
73% of you said your struggle is mostly with Finishing things.

My follow up today is to help you with tips on how to get a grip on both. Now, I’m not the expert on either, so I thought I’d share tips from those of us that have at least been able to get a decent handle on either issue.

With that said, here’s what your peers said when I asked them what recommendations would they make to the rest of us:

Claudia says:

“Starting: Spend 5 or so quiet moments not rushing, but to listen to God

Finishing : Pray for new inspiration and the right attitude to complete it. And ask for the method, the time and the necessary things needed to complete the work.”

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Mike says:

“If someone is having trouble finishing something they’ve started but they like the original idea, it’s been my experience that they should kill a few darlings and introduce some new elements that might make it more interesting. Change the composition, add color if its still in grayscale stage. Add objects, focus, characters, etc. Most times the project becomes too stagnant, and loses its initial steam and passion. Rather than starting something new every time, just introduce something new into the old.

 Joseph says:

“Procrastination is the killer of progress, get off your duff and just do it.  Excuses on why something can’t be started or finished are the seeds of laziness, any road block or deterrent can be overcome with determination.  There is no such thing as ‘I can’t’.  People who succumb to ‘I can’t’ simply ‘won’t’ as they are enabling themselves not to.  Think ‘I can’ (anything and everything is possible), find help or figure out the ‘how’, then DO IT.”

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Tony (me!) says:

“Starting Things:

1. Write it down- The first step is to reach into the storm of swirling ideas and grabbing the one or two that are both relevant and achievable.

2. Put a date on it- This is what you’ve always heard me say is the difference between a dream and a goal…a Deadline! If it has no target date, then it ain’t a real goal!

Finishing Stuff:

1. Don’t do anything new until #1 and # 2 listed above are complete.”
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Thanks to Claudia, Mike and Joseph for sharing their insight!

SO, WHAT DO YOU SAY? Post your thoughts, comments, etc, here:

Related posts:

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2. DAY FOUR: 7 Principles of Artistic Purpose Day 4. God has an assignment for you to complete...
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Related posts:

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Below are 3 of our top polls we’ve published that we’d like to not only give you the latest update on their results, but also give you the opportunity to cast your vote or post your opinions:

POLL: Should Christian Art Students Study the Nude Figure? (16 Comments)
Yes, they should. 68.6%
No, they should not. 22.9%
I’m not quite sure. 8.6%

See Poll and Voter Comments Here>>

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POLL: Should Christian Artists Create Tattoos? (41 Comments)
Yes, they should. 20%
No, they should not. 60%
I’m undecided. 20%

See Poll and Voter Comments Here>>

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POLL: Are Artists Born Or Can Anyone Learn To Be One? (15 comments)
You have to be born with the basic talent, then develop the skill. 71.4%
Anyone, with the proper training, can be taught to be an artist. 14.3%
Hmmm…I’m not sure. 14.3%

See Poll and Voter Comments Here>>

Related posts:

1. Poll:What’s Harder? Starting Something New or Finishing What’s Started? I started this question with a group of designer friends...
2. The Biggest Barrier to Fulfilling Your Creative Purpose? Now that National WRITE THE VISION Month has completed itself,...
3. Poll: What Role Does God Play Concerning Your Talent? I conducted a survey a couple of years ago where...

“What Role Does God Play Concerning Your Talent?”
A) “My artistic ability is a gift from God.”

B) “God has nothing to do with my artistic talent.”

C) “Not really sure.”

The feedback I received was very interesting, so interesting that I launched the survey again  just recently.

Now, to be fair, the question was posed to an audience of secular visual artists and a separate audience of Christian visual artists. We want to do the same thing again.

 Here’s what the response has been at the creation of this article from a secular audience:

A) “My artistic ability is a gift from God.” 38%

B) “God has nothing to do with my artistic talent.” 54%

C) “Not really sure.” 8%

So what would YOUR response be? Share your thoughts on the matter with us here and cast your vote in the poll above:

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1. Tips on how to allow God to guide your creativity.

2. More in-depth discussion.

3. Articles/posts that you can use with artists at your church or other group.

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