Thank you to Sandra (see comments for prior post) for asking about this! So, just how does one have one’s cake and eat it too when it comes to art?
Many of us might aspire to be full-time artists, but aren’t there yet. Or perhaps we just want to find more time to devote to the creativity that makes us happy. Herewith, a “how I did it” to spark discussion.
I’ve always been rather anal-retentive (probably to the point of rigidity) about my schedule and time. When I was working at HP full-time, and trying to build up my art career, my week looked like:
- Work 4×9 plus Friday mornings (later on, I worked 4×9 with a 10% pay reduction).
- Use Friday afternoons to do errands, groceries, and housecleaning
- Spend evenings on art business: emailing, photographing paintings, packing, website maintenance, sketches for next paintings, etc.
- Spend Saturday and Sunday painting
Several things to note: no kids, little TV, and not much social life either. Also, I was and am diligent about exercise (weightlifting, running) which keeps my energy level up for working in the evenings. This was my schedule for about 5 years before I became a full-time artist.
NOW - this is what worked for me, and these tradeoffs might be too onerous, or this schedule unworkable, for someone else. BUT: what ideas does it spark for you? What choices have you made to fit art into your life?
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