How can it almost be Thanksgiving already?
There’s nothing like the holidays for putting a serious crimp in the schedules we’re already scrambling to tame. And while I don’t want to miss out on the things that are unique to the season, I also don’t want to put my artwork on hold for 6 weeks. Actually, holidays or not, staying one step ahead of the calendar to insure enough time in the studio can be a challenge any time of the year. I think this is all the more true when one is working to work, not because a specific deadline looms on the horizon.
Dirty Knives – 15 min sketch ©2015 Elizabeth Fram I had a painting instructor in college who said she used the time between watercolor washes to accomplish household chores. I’ve discovered that theory can work in reverse as well: I like to make quick drawings while waiting for something to finish baking, waiting in the car, or when I’m on hold on the phone.
I’ve been checking in with a lot of solid resources for beefing up productivity this past year, and it always seems to boil down to the fact that if something isn’t written into the schedule, it’s much less likely to happen. James Clear’s short post on The Myth of Creative Inspiration really drills that point home.
In writing 10 Business Tips for the Independent Artist, Forbes contributor Jason T. Borbet outlines the following:
- Live By The Schedule The corporate world revolves around the schedule — so should your art career. Be rigid
- Know your hours — if you paint from 10PM – 5AM? Fine, just be consistent.
- Organize your day carefully: emails, social media, create, business outreach, create, emails.
- Set a deadline for each piece — stick to it*.
- Plan exhibitions far in advance; set milestones (work creation, promotion, work delivery, event coordination, show take-down, etc.).
- Takeaway: A traditional career path does not exist for an artist — scheduling is a variable you can, and must control.
- *Bonus: Inspiration is for amateurs.
Scissors 2 ©2015 Elizabeth Fram
So if you struggle, as I often do, to squeeze everything into a given week — especially at this time of year — first, take comfort in the fact that as a creative person you undoubtedly have a knack for brainstorming elastic solutions for overcoming hurdles that might stymie someone else. Secondly, I’ve found that relying on a kitchen timer allows me to cram work into short snippets of available time. It’s something of a psychological gimmick, but it helps to assure that I accomplish something, even if it’s very small. Then I can look back over even the busiest day and know I made at least one more step forward art-wise.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I love these little sketches! That you always seem to sneak in details like the multiple shadows of the scissors or the background floral pattern. And the perspective of the knives is just wonderful—makes me feel like I’m actually in your kitchen and just out of my view is a pie baking or something like that.
As for time, yes, I agree we need to manage it and I also find doing so can be a brutal, life-sucking dictator. When I feel this later, I go for a long, long walk and always come back (usually running back!) ready to work all night! For me, simply being engaged in the process seems the best way to create art I value. So your idea of sketching in the short pieces of available time is really brilliant.
You hit on two important points John: getting out into nature not only clears your head – freeing pathways for creative solutions to whatever the current mental roadblock may be, but it also somehow gives you a sense of control again over the runaway train that our schedules can become.
So glad you are enjoying the sketches & that even though they are small you are getting a sense of space beyond the frame.
I agree with John…your sketches are always inspirational – i especially like “Dirty Knives”. I think what inspires me most about this particular body of your work is that nothing is outside the limit! I never know what delectable twist I will find in the sketches of the week. (By twist I mean a twist for my thinking – or maybe a tweak!)
The sketches you sew with your words are also inspirational “working to work” and “elastic solutions” are just 2 of the many you have used over time. These are not just interesting thoughts to wrap my brain around, but they are also visual capsules.
Thank you for inspirational “appointment reading”. I love Friday mornings…I know there is a gift waiting for me in my inbox. Have a wonderful holiday season…and keep those sketches coming!
I am honored and flattered beyond words Pam!
The thoughts you & others have shared along the way re: how a particular post relates to your own thought processes and practices are akin to bouncing the ball back into my court, removing any sense of working in a vacuum & keeping the “game” going. And that is a true gift for me…