Well it's been a while, and that just goes to prove my point: it is hard to be a part-time artist. This month's excuse was children sicknesses. Next week could be work overload from the part-time job, and next month something else again. Juggling between looking after young children, working three days a week and finding time for the Art business is just something that requires a strict discipline, I understand that now, it took a while to accept it.
Making creative time sacred
There's a huge difference between doing something because it has to be done, or doing something only IF there is time to do it (There will never be time to do it!). And the only way the wannabe artist will become one is to make creative time something that MUST be done.
For me the solution was to have a planner, on the wall, that was pointing it's finger at me every so often, sending me with my marching orders straight to the studio. I was able to allow three evenings of studio work, that's about 7 to 9 hours per week. Not a lot, but since I can't afford daytime work yet (it will come soon, once the kids are in school every mornings), I still wanted to give myself some evening ME time. I often do more, especially when I have some deadline or special commission, but at least, when I do take the night off, I am guilt free.
Work that can be done with children running around should be done when children are running around!
Researching the internet, making simple updates to a website, flicking through magazines, looking for inspiration, updating your accounts, in addition to all the household chores can, in general, be accomplished when children are around and without completely neglecting them!!
If it is another employment that is taking your time, use your breaks to sketch a bit, browse pinterest, update your Facebook page. I am lucky enough to have a part-time job which requires me to be very creative so I am constantly getting the brain in right gears and I am fully hands on as well. But if it's not the case, a few minutes here and there through the day is all you have so make the most of it.
The 3 P's:
Planning, planning and planning
I mentioned above my week planner, I also have my year planner on which I try to always have the three months ahead planned out with 4 to 5 general objectives per month. For example, for April I intend to
1.revisit and review my stockists
2.Complete my 1st quarter review
3. Make product samples
4. Look into SEO and into business set up
May and June have different objectives, but I haven't planned out everything further ahead than this because things take shape as I go along. That keeps me focused.
I also have a To-Do list which is always with me. That planner is for specific things that have to be done in the days ahead. At the moment: -finish Dublin painting, -Print store signs. -Deliver prints to... and -Blog (Check!! That's the most satisfying thing about lists and planner, when you get to score them off!)
Making all the spare time count
That's not to say work all the time, but for me, I find very little satisfaction in just sitting watching tv. That's my spare time (normally an hour before turning in) and I'm allowed to do what I want and since I enjoy my work, I choose something that is easy, relaxing and pleasant. I do enjoy a good net browsing (even if they say it's not good before bed), or looking through art magazines and books, or browse all my photos for the inspiration for the next painting. Whatever it is, if it has a creative side it will count, and I am less tempted then to browse the internet when I should be productive in the studio!
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