Coming Back To Art Full Time

My process and path:  My return to creating again.

The end of August marked the end of my part time job of nannying.  It was part time in that I was working full time about 6 months out of the year.  From March to August, my art making was not in full swing but I painted in the pockets of available free time.  I enjoyed that job very much yet missed this pursuit even more.  The Carpenter family continues to be close to my heart and we'll be friends that are more like family for many more years to come.

With other things that were happening in my personal life and family needs being our top priority, I didn't jump right into art creating right away.  In fact, I felt rusty and awkward about the painting sessions in September.  As frustrated as I felt with the results, I knew it was important to keep showing up to paint.  The easy thing would be to not show up because it might not end with a masterpiece.  Instead, I chose to push forward and give myself permission to be unhappy with whatever my brush and I made that day.  Sometimes the time spent painting is just for my own self care, not because I need to have a painting to sell.  I don't ever want to be driven by the goal of selling.  That creates so much pressure that intimidates and stifles me creatively.  When the painting time feels like nothing came of it from an bystander's perspective, I face that head on.  Brush it off and come back tomorrow.  And with time, it all started to come back to me.  I continue picking up my brush.

I have been painting on a regular basis but before August I was not always rested and able to spend several hours painting in one sitting.  Some paintings I love and others have brought me frustration.  That's just how this goes.  Many of my paintings have been 5" x 7" sizes because they are more manageable in short spurts of time.  They can easily be finished in one or two sittings.  I don't lose my momentum and vision when working in pockets of time.  And so for that reason, it's much harder when the paper is larger.  I have two large paintings in process right now that are not pleasing me, not what I want, and I don't know what to do next.  I keep telling myself to relax and not let that define me.

So, my beginning stages of getting comfortable in the art room again took a round about path.  With work projects in the garden and back yard to be completed before winter makes its arrival, I brought in quite a few potted plants.  There are green onions and a variety of herbs.  My spinach and lettuce are not doing well and I believe that is lack of sufficient lighting.  Our days are shorter now and my lights need replacing most likely.  Long winters in Montana are easier to handle when there's some plants growing here in my space.

I moved my main painting location back to a previous work table.  It's closer to the center of the room which will be warmer during the winter months.  Funny how this feels more comfortable for me and I am glad I made the change.  I am sensitive about what clutter is bothering me and tackle those areas a little at a time.  I am structuring this space so it is primed for creative atmosphere, like I can come to this space that has a spa like atmosphere.  I am making decisions for designing a sanctuary for creativity.

I have so much space for storage and it seems to be overflowing with stuff.  I felt so overwhelmed and anxious in the room that it was very obvious this needed to be overhauled in a big way.  I went through under table shelves and boxes.  I emptied out cupboards and chose what to get rid of to make room for what supplies are a higher priority to my art creating process.  There are still a few piles to go through but it's much more manageable now.

In reality, I would just rather keep showing up and doing nothing else but paint more art.  The stacks of new artwork need to be given time and focus though.  I am getting more organized with my planning so that projects are being tackled in the most effective way.  Paintings are getting pressed under weight of heavy books to remove the paper's buckling.  Inventory spreadsheets are being readied for titles to come soon.  I am looking at the weather for best sunshine to help with photographing artwork for the website.  Large sheets of watercolor paper is soon to be cut into dimensions I enjoy most.  Those smaller sheets of watercolor paper will be taped to boards so they are ready to grab for new paintings.

I have been aware in the past that my best time for painting is mid morning.  I might do a bit of light housework before but I need to be cautious not to come to my paint sessions already worn out.  That only brings frustration much sooner.  If there is vacuuming to be done, it should be done late afternoon because that activity is so hard on my arms and wrists.  I am becoming so much more aware of bringing my freshest self to painting time.

As I move into fall and winter months, I am focusing on creating a routine of good habits for pursuit of art.  I am being gentle and patient with myself.  I fight the feeling that I should be catching up to where fulltime artists are at this time of year with their promoting and selling.  A frustrated and anxious artist will not be happy in the creating and the art will reflect this as well.  So, I take each day with its goals and tasks and remind myself to be patient.  I am choosing to enjoy the journey and love that I have the time available to be here.  I am hopeful and excited.

Yesterday, I sat down to write here not knowing what I would have to say.  It happens like this so often.  And yet somehow I find the words for what I want to say.  I do love sharing what happens here in the art room and along the scenic drives to finding art reference photograph.  I look forward to living this way, being my everyday experience and soaking up owning my identity as an artist.  It was difficult to be away from this so much though I didn't express it as often as I felt it.  My mind loves the thought of creating my interpretation of what I have seen and felt as it relates to nature.  I have a feeling that more change is coming my way with how I hold the brush and fill the page and I am in love with that more than I can say.  In fact, we have plans in motion for making weekend getaways to the mountains a regular habit.  Spring of 2022, I will be able to share more about that exciting development.  I am dreaming of plein air painting and travel art supplies getting much more use!

Thank you for taking time out of your day to join me here.  This is my creative journey as an artist.  I have more to bring and share here.  I won't make a promise to be here each week.  I hope that happens but life has a way of bringing detours.  As it is possible, I do have a goal of posting on Thursdays for whatever reason.  I have been organizing my photos into online albums and that has helped me realize there is plenty of material for new blog posts.  More progressive posts to come, meaning I will share the completed artwork with photos taken along its journey and a few photos of the place that inspired me to paint it in the first place.  If that excites you, stay tuned!  

-Christy

She must make art.

Is it time to begin selling my art online?

My time is running out...website coming.

It's nearly spring and that means I will be returning to my other job (joy, really) as a nanny.  Spring through fall, I have a dream position caring for the three children of a local family.  As the time approaches, I am carefully taking stock of what I would like to accomplish with my art career.  With just a few weeks left, I am looking over priorities.  I am preparing to debut a website of my own for my watercolor artwork.

Artwork is being photographed to show in its best light.  Over time, I have been building my body of artwork.  I am not sure whether I am 100% ready but that cannot keep me from moving forward.

My word for the year: courage.

I believe this blog will be continued on my new website.  Whether this blog remains as is for art tips and techniques written for other creatives...I have not figured that out yet.  As this all comes about, I will be sure to post information here so that you can find me at my new location.  The new website blog may have my thoughts and insights about upcoming artwork for collectors.

Thank you for your encouragement and interest in the next chapter of watercolor journeys as I continue with my goals.  Please be sure to keep in contact.  I know there's so much more to come!  I look forward to seeing you there!

My online gallery of original watercolors:  christysheeler.com

-Christy

She must make art.

Writing My 2019 Artist Goals

 It's that time again.

I have been stalling on this one.  It seems like a huge project.  Once I get started, I feel more excited.  Maybe it seems daunting but in reality, it's such a good thing.  I have a folder labeled "GOALS" which is where I keep my art goals from previous years.  2015.  That's the year I made my first list of art goals.  Each year, I make a list of art related goals I haven't reached yet.  The list contains some of what I didn't finish the year before and more that I can imagine past those goals.  Some items on the list are easily done.  Others will take serious effort and time.  A few will require me to find others to give me some assistance.  Last year, I posted Writing My Artist Goals.  I have 5 simple tips to share if you're interested in writing your own artist goals.  Here's how I go about the process to create my own list.

1.  Reflect back on where I have been.

It's time again.  While I avoid it, it's not so bad.  Looking over the previous year's goals, thinking about how much I was able to do, is very satisfying.  I feel a sense of accomplishment.  I didn't let art go.  I kept this commitment to my creative self.  There's so much to distract and reroute life.  So many different directions that my attention is drawn...so many responsibilities.

It would be natural to become sidetracked with other interests.  Years ago, my art room was close to being like a ghost town...you know, the photos of interiors where there's an inch of dust on every surface, cobwebs create a veil of gray, and a sadness at the way furniture has fallen apart unused.  This room is attached to the back of our house.  It's by walking from the kitchen, through my art room, out the back door that we get to the garage and backyard.  At times, I was slightly grieved with each pass through this room to leave the house.  I felt an inward struggle, knowing I needed to put other people and responsibilities first, but still missing my artist self.

I found that I enjoyed looking back over my 2018 art goals.  As I was reading through each one, I checked off those that were completed.  I examined the goals not completed and then chose whether that goal should be carried over to 2019.  Maybe some goals weren't as important in the grand scheme of things.  If I felt a remaining desire to try again, that one is a keeper.

2.  Remember my commitment to my art.

When I began writing my art goals in 2015, it was like a personal declaration that art is important.  Art is important to me.  For many years I had let everything else be more important.  My creative self felt like it was starving or worse yet...dying.  I craved that energy flowing through my mind to the paper, becoming a watercolor work of art.  That was the year when I decided to never let art be crowded out again.

Creating my own art is important to me.  I am committed to keeping art as a priority in my own life.  My artist experience changes with the ebb and flow of life.  Sometimes, I have several full days to dedicate to my art.  Most often, it's fitting art into the free slots of time...maybe an hour before I have to go in another direction.  Like a woven fabric, the threads of art are constantly varied from a few to many all depending on what my personal life requires of me.

3.  Get it in writing.

I don't read my yearly goals daily.  They aren't anything fancy or professional looking.  My goals are handwritten on a sheet of plain white paper.  Somehow, just by writing them, they are more imprinted on my subconscious mind.  If I write it on the paper, it's important to me.  As I imagine where I want to take my artist self from the present, that's what I list as a goal.  I go all out with smaller and larger goals.  Admitting I want that big goal fuels my confidence and courage to go for it.  These goals are written for me...to remind myself where I am headed with creating art.

4.  All the goals matter.

I pick some big goals and some small goals.  My question to myself is this, "what is important to me with my art in 2019?"  My art priorities are varied so that there are some very satisfying goals that don't take much time.  If the big goals cannot be met because life takes an unexpected turn, I have some comfort.  I keep remembering there are ways I can achieve goals with limited time and energy.  If a big goal is not met in 2019, I will carry it over to 2020.  No judgement.  No guilt.  I just keep pressing on.

5.  Post my goals

There's a spot at the top of my bulletin board which I reserve for this list.  With a thumb tack pressed through the sheet of paper, this list is my declaration for this year.  Now that I have these aspirations on paper, they don't belong in a notebook or a file folder.  The goals become a part of my art room and a reminder of why I am showing up to make more artwork.  I post it there to remind me I am moving forward toward the things that matter to the artist in me.

5 Simple Tips For Writing Your Art Goals:

1.  Reflect back on where you have been. 

Remember back to the beginning, when you decided to make art a priority.  How far have you come already?  Are you excited to see the changes that have taken place?  Feel good about that.  Soak it up.

2.  Remember your commitment to your art.

Why are you creating art?  Why is it important to you?  Do you feel like your creative self is starving?  Do you feel like art is your therapy?  What does it look like for you to give more time and energy to creative pursuits?

3.  Get it in writing.

Don't make it complicated.  Nothing fancy here.  Take a sheet of paper and a pen.  Write down your list of what would be the possible outcomes.  When you imagine yourself being more creatively fulfilled, what are you doing?  You write them down for your own declaration to yourself, giving you purpose and drive and hope.

4.  All the goals matter.

These are your goals.  If it matters to you, it matters.  Don't spend any energy downplaying your goals; none are insignificant.  If you'd like to take a class, write it down.  If you'd like to watch YouTube videos about a specific medium or technique, write it down.  Be daring and adventurous without hesitation.

5.  Post your goals.

Now that your art goals are written down on paper, it's time to hang them up on a wall or bulletin board.  Take a photo and make it the wallpaper on your phone.  Keep a copy in your planner or sketch book.  This is a declaration of intent and a place to begin.  Be excited.  Be proud.  Your creative spirit that is hungry for making art is coming alive again.

Wrapping up for today...

Do me a big favor...if you wouldn't mind, will you leave a comment with one of your own art goals?  Are you going to take on this challenge and write your own goals for art?  Is this a habit you have already taken on?  How has it worked for you?

One of the best things about writing this blog is meeting other creative people.  We share this energy to learn more about pursuing art.  It's an amazing way to connect with others.

Thank you for dropping in and sharing some of your time here.  I ramble on and wonder whether anyone is out there that might relate with what I share.  It's like my artist journal.  These are my thoughts and inspirations.  I hope it inspires you.

Life will soon change as I return to nannying for six months.  I'll be in and out of my art room but less frequently.  Time will be more precious and my posts will be brief.  I will attempt to bring some simple yet creative updates.  Shorter posts are still a challenge for me.  I will be checking in to read comments and answer questions.

Christy

She must make art.