Making Time

HOW TO FIND TIME TO MAKE ART? 

This can be a tough challenge for a lot of us, especially if you work outside the home, have kids or other family responsibilities, or are traveling with non-artists!  One thing I do is let myself just do a LITTLE bit, if that’s all I have time for.  A quick sketch, with a bit of color.  Even five minutes is better than nothing...


MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Set a time that’s YOURS, and stick with it.  Make an appointment with yourself.  If you absolutely HAVE to break that appointment, don’t get upset, just reschedule, and then keep that one.       
   

FIND A PAL and ENLIST THE FAMILY

If it helps, find someone to do art with...perhaps having more than one will help you find time, especially if you have a responsibility to them (and to yourself!) 

Enlist your family’s help.  Let them know this IS important to you!  You’ll be a better spouse, parent, son, daughter, whatever, if you have time to express your creative side.

I always make use of waiting time to sketch...makes the time pass a lot faster, allows me time to be creative when I might not otherwise, and it helps keep me on an even keel!

USE BITS AND PIECES OF TIME

Sketch in time that’s otherwise wasted–waiting for a plane or your meal in a restaurant or the doctor’s office.  You may not be able to get out the whole paint set, but you CAN do a sketch and paint it in later if you wish. 


UNPLUG!

Turn off the TV, don’t text, don’t grab a newspaper or magazine or even a book in those moments that might otherwise pass unnoticed–sketch instead!  (Thoreau once wrote “As if you could kill time without injuring eternity.”  Our sketches may not be eternal, but you WILL be amazed at how much more time you have to be creative.  If you need more encouragement, I’ll bet you find something that speaks to you here: http://www.quotegarden.com/carpe-diem.html

(People often ask me how I get so much done...that’s how!  I turned off the TV in 1997, and only occasionally watch a video.  I get our small local newspaper with real people news–I figure any serious news I need will show up on the computer...)


KEEP IT SIMPLE

If you know time’s at a premium, just try for pen, pencil, and perhaps a little watercolor kit and a waterbrush, if you’re working small.  (If you’re working larger–9" x 12" or larger–you’ll want bigger brushes and a decent source of water.)


Make Like A Boy Scout and BE PREPARED

One thing I do that makes it easy to find creative time is keep art supplies handy, in a variety of places in my house, in my purse/field bag, and in my Jeep.  I’ve even got a little set next to my bed, as well as one by the couch and one by my computer. That way if I find myself with a bit of time, I can pick up a little watercolor set, a pencil or pen or two, and go to it!


Note: One big advantage to buying tube paints and creating your own pan colors, which we discussed in this post, is that you can make LOTS of these little watercolor sets from only a few tubes, and keep them everywhere.  You don’t have to fill the pans all the way up, I’ve got watercolor sets that have had the same paint in them for years–it all depends on how often you use them!

And as some people have said–if you REALLY want to find the time, you will.


--------------------------


Finding time is one of the things on our poll in the right-hand sidebar--if you haven't voted for what you'd most like to see on this blog, please feel free!