"But I Have No Time"

You love art, have your supplies, taken a few lessons....so excited to paint!

But carving out the time is a struggle?

Don't fear we have all been there!

   I love to paint and craft more than anything and it's still sometimes hard for me to get started. Right now for example I'm working on a silk scarf project. I've purchased a class to learn a new technique. I've watched it intently. I've ordered and gathered all the supplies. I couldn't wait for the special dyes to arrive to start. Well it's all gathered on my dining room table and guess what I've been telling myself? "I wish I had the time."

   It happens to each and everyone of us! So relax and take it one step at a time. (Just like the actual painting process.) Sometimes we truly do not have time...it's a fact of life. There's work, kids, commitments and all sorts of things we must get done in our daily life.  

   But many times it's our  subconscious minds, maybe it's the fear of failure, or wasting your time. That's what we want to overcome. Don't let the fear of creating a not perfect painting get in the way. Try to embrace the joyful process. Time for yourself and something you love is never wasted. We hear so much these days about self care. Devoting a little while to something that gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment is good for you. It helps you deal with those day to day tasks that must be addressed.

    

Here are some tips that help me:

1. Finding a place to work. It can be a small corner anywhere in your house. It doesn't have to be an entire studio. Waiting until you have the perfect set up is a huge road block and not necessary.

2. Get organized! Sometimes when I can't get started I simply organize my space. I don't have the tidiest studio space but when I just putter around organizing things I tend to get motivated to sit and get to work.

3. Either you run the day, or the day runs you. Wise words. You schedule all the things, but do you schedule time for yourself? It doesn't have to be lengthy blocks of time....even 30 minutes here and there will give you a sense of accomplishment. You're doing something and on the way to fulfilling your goal to paint. I promise you once you get started working it will be easier to come back to it.

4. Be kind to yourself. A very dear and wise friend would send me these words from an ocean away. I learned a lot about life from him. Taking care of myself before I could take care of others was an important one. Embrace your work and don't expect perfection. Perfection simply does not exist. Do not, I repeat do not compare yourself to anyone else. Hang the above quote in your studio space, wether it's  tiny or expansive, this is an important reminder. On a side note, every painting goes through an awkward phase. Keep on working through until the end. You may be pleasantly surprised. AND....not every painting is a masterpiece, many are simply lessons. Paint over that canvas and start again. That's what Gesso is for :-)

5. Carry a sketchbook. A small sketchbook, a few pencils, and perhaps a tiny watercolor kit. A perfect way to fit your art into your busy daily life. Also a great way to hash out ideas and a something to turn to when looking for subjects and inspiration. My sketchbook is also a journal of my travels. I love to jot down places I've been as well as sketching simple objects from my daily life.