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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January 21st, 2009 at 7:12 am
Hi Julie, GREAT topic!
I think that you hit on a really important thing here…EXERCISE! Not only does that help keep energy up, but it gives us “permission” to take the time we really need to spiritually re-juice. I take my dogs out in the mornings for a 4 mile walk every day that weather allows. It is a one hour BRISK power walk in a wooded park very near my home. I allow my mind to wander and just think about anything that floats into my head. This for me is the best way that I know of to keep “clutter” out of my head. And of course the border collies LOVE it too! I would encourage anyone to find an exercise program that they ENJOY. It can be quite meditational. And a refreshed mind creates better art.
After a 17 year carreer at Hallmark cards as a greeting card illustrator, I went part-time to persue my wildlife painting. I did children’s illustrations of a very commercial nature at Hallmark, and then did the realism on Thrursdays-Sundays every week. I kept this schedule up for five years. It took some time to learn how to change gears from one style to another, going back and forth between styles several times a week. But after a while it came easily. I decided ahead of time how many hours that I was going to paint each day and DID IT. If you ask yourself “do I want to paint today?…” you are giving yourself permission to answer “no”. So don’t give yourself a choice. Just say to yourself “this is what I am going to do and this is how I will do it.”
Now that I am painting wildlife every day, I’ve had a new adjustment to make. I like to work in many different styles, and have found it difficult to pull myself into one style. So I allow other areas for my creative “explosions”. What I have learned through this transition is that there is always a way to make things work for us. We just have to find it….and DO it!
January 21st, 2009 at 10:10 am
Hi Julie,
Here’s my situation: I currently work 4 days a week (32 hrs) as a graphic artist. I’ve been doing this for the last 4 years. I took a pay cut to have Fridays off to paint. This was one of the best things I’ve done to find more time to paint. I could afford to do it because I make a decent wage at my job and my husband Jimmy and I live simply. We’re not big spenders and don’t feel the need to keep up with the Jones’s.
My main painting days are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. I try to spend at least 8 hrs in the studio working. If I’m on a roll, I will sometimes go longer. In addition, I force myself to paint a couple of evenings during the week even though I don’t want to! I’m very protective and selfish of my painting time. I’ve had to say no to many invites. Jimmy (and a few people that are close to me) know these are my days to work and they leave me alone to do what I have to do. They know it’s serious to me and they allow me the space to pursue my painting. It’s important to have this support.
Speaking of support, Jimmy is a big, big help. He works 3 days/week, 13 hr days. This allows him 4 days off. When he’s off, he takes care of the cooking and cleaning in our house freeing up my time to work.
Of note with me, (like you Julie) I have no kids and not much social life. Being an introvert anyway, I don’t miss the social life.
I agree with Julie and Joni that exercise is SO important to keep your energy levels up. On the weekends, when I take a break from painting, Jimmy and I make a point to get outside in the woods, no matter the weather. We live near a state park and we either hike w/the dog, mountain bike, or go kayaking for a few hours. I always feel better/refreshed when I get back to the studio.
So far, this has been what’s working for me.
Kelly
January 21st, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Take a look at the marketing info. here:
http:/www.theartistscenter.com/topics/marketing/
It’s going to take a little doing to absorb it all. The blogger, Bill, asked to be a friend on Facebook a few days ago.