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Where do you find the time to Create?
May 16, 2013
I admit it now, 3 shows in 3 weeks is way too much to do. Especially when one of them is in another state. I really need to remember to schedule in a small bit of down time in between shows to rest and catch up on my to-do list. Nonetheless, I am happy to have done all of them and I met so many wonderful and creative people. It is truly inspiring to find out what everyone is working on.
FEATURE ARTICLE
WHERE DO YOU FIND THE TIME TO CREATE?
Given my busy schedule and lack of actual time spent in the studio lately, I thought this would be a good topic to share with you.
All of us are busy and everyone says the same thing - I don't have the time to play and be creative. I confess, I have said this more times than I can count. And yet I am always trying to convince everyone else to just squeeze in a little bit of time to make art and it will change your life. (Do as I say and not as I do?)
I do truly believe that making time for art will change your life and I do my very best to find something creative to do on a regular basis. Sometimes all I have time for is reading a few pages in one of my favorite art magazines. And that is OK. Little bits here and there are just fine. We punish ourselves for not doing more and for not finding more time in our busy days. Let's not do that anymore.
Here are some ideas to find the time to create and make art. Perhaps one or all of them will be something you can do. If finding that extra bit of time is important to you, then you will find a way to do it.
- Get up earlier in the day. Yes, everyone says this about trying to fit in everything else in your schedule. I've certainly heard it said more times than I can count. But that doesn't mean it won't work for you. You don't have to get up 2 hours earlier (although that would be fabulous), but maybe just 15 minutes earlier. But actually go into your studio for that 15 minutes, don't just drink an extra cup of coffee and visit FB.
- Stay up later at night. The opposite of the above, because some of us are more night owls than early birds. The same message is true, just a little bit extra can be worth it to you. I keep a journal and some markers and pens by my bed so I can have what I need and not have to go looking for stuff to use.
- Keep a small portable art box with you at all times, so you can work on something easily when you find some extra time (waiting at the doctor's office, at the airport, watching the kids practice soccer, waiting for laundry to be done, etc). We spend an inordinate amount of time just sitting and waiting and if you add that time up, it could mean a big chunk of art time for you. Zentangle® is great for this, as it is very portable and not messy and you can stop and start it quite easily.
- Give up TV (or facebook or any of those other time-sucking activities). Most people spend between 4-6 hrs a day watching TV or playing on the internet. Even if you only gave up 1/2 of that time every day, you would have an amazing amount of time to spend being artsy. What could you create with all that extra time?
- You can also just do art while watching TV. TV isn't very interactive so it is quite easy to create while you are sitting and watching it. This is why so many people take up crocheting or knitting or embroidery, as those are perfect activities to do while watching TV. Perhaps you can make up a 'couch art box' so you can have all the supplies ready to work on a project while the TV is on in the background. This is a great idea if you want to hang out with the family while they are watching their favorite shows or sports, but you want to be busy with art. Perhaps it will encourage them to be more artistic too.
- Give up housework. I don't spend a lot of time on housework (it probably shows), but I do know that housework and household/yard chores can take up a lot of time each week. What if you cut back on some of that and spent your time in the studio? Yes, I do believe this is my favorite suggestion. Now if I can only get somebody else to do all the housework/chores for me, then I will be a happy camper.
- Make art dates with friends or family. This is by far the best idea, as it makes you actually schedule in the time to do something creative and when you are doing it with somebody else then you are more accountable for getting it done. It's why we have diet buddies and exercise buddies. Why not have an art buddy too?
I know there are many more ideas out there, but these are my favorites and I think there should be at least one idea on the list that you can do.
UPCOMING CLASSES
Graffiti Journal is this Sat May 18th (all day class). This class will help you let go of those preconceived ideas about perfection and how a project is supposed to look. We will have fun using a random assortment of techniques and products and letting go of our inner critic, while creating a fun journal.
Zentangle Adventure series - Lesson #2 is Tues May 21. We will be learning some more complex tangles and playing with ways to enhance them. You can still sign up for the series if you have already taken the Intro class (as that was Lesson #1). You will get the remaining 5 lessons for the price of 4 ($140), or you can just take a single class ($35). Let me know if you are wanting to do this as you can't register for the remaining classes on-line and get the discounted price.
Arty Party has 2 days this month. May 22 and May 23. There are only a couple spots left for each day, so if you are interested you better sign up quickly.
Needle-felting Journal class with Liz Kettle is Sunday May 26th. This is an all-day class where you get to learn about needle-felting techniques, both hand and machine. Liz will have some machines available for use in the class. This is a great way to try out the needle-felting machines before deciding if you want to purchase one. And you get to create a very cool little journal.
Journal Mapping with Jill Berry is Saturday June 1st. This is an all day class with Jill, where you can explore your imagination and your life. You will be creating a journal project using various mapping techniques. I'm excited to have Jill in the studio and I know the class is going to be great.
Embellishment Rocks with Ruth Chandler is Saturday June 15th. Ruth will teach you several techniques that you can use to create a fun little sampler book, that can then be used as a reference.
OPEN STUDIOS
Remember that Open Studios are Fri May 24 and Sat May 25 from 1-4 each day. No appt necessary, just stop by. Bring a project to work on and we can sit and be creative (Open Studios could be added to the list above for a way to find that time to be creative. Just a thought!) You can shop or visit or just hang out for awhile. I'll be working on something, so won't you join me?
BLOG CHALLENGE
Visit the Blue Twig Studio Blog for other articles and tutorials, as well as the monthly Blog Challenge. This month's ATC blog challenge theme is FLOWERS. I know you want to make a Flower ATC for the challenge. Be sure to visit the blog and read all about it. It is a great way to make art, and since they are small it doesn't take a lot of time to do it. And they are FUN!
Enjoy the Spring weather and be creative in finding a small bit of time to carve out for yourself to be creative.
~Deb
Let Your Inner Artist Out To Play
Blue Twig Studio - 5965 Whiskey River Dr - Colorado Springs, CO 80923 - USA