Our collective artistic mythology holds that a true artist is one who devotes all of his time to the craft - it's part of the unspoken bias that if you work at it part-time you are only partly invested.
I get frequent questions from artists who wonder how they can have an art career when they need to work, and don't have the finances to work on their art full time. We know it takes time to learn the various skills needed - it isn't something you can just drop in and do on an infrequent basis and expect great results. And if there weren't really good reasons to learn and practice and "just do it" there wouldn't be so many successful artists coming out of a strong foundational educational background.
But it's safer for someone afraid of testing their wings to focus on what might be preventing them - like the kid who finally makes it to the top of the high dive and then can't jump off because the water is too wet. It's a like holding out for perfect when perfect doesn't exist.
Having experienced this - from working full time, then part time, then completely unemployed/semi-retired, to needing to return to part time work, - perfect is what you have, not what you think it should be.
Yes, there will be days when you're too tired to try. Days when your frustration levels make you feel like you're pushing rocks uphill.
But these frustrations occur whether or not you have the time - because it isn't the amount of time you have that makes the difference.
It's whether or not you are willing to commit to the time you find.
For some reason finding time changes the way you look at what you have in front of you. It's a gift you are giving to yourself and your art.
Where as having time is more like an excuse not to take out the trash.
This is just what I needed to read today. It's universal and wise...thank you Sue!
Posted by: Susan Himmel | February 20, 2013 at 02:14 PM
Yes, i agree with you, "But these frustrations occur whether or not you have the time - because it isn't the amount of time you have that makes the difference."
Sometime we have a lot of time but we can use for the right things for us...
Posted by: Daniel | February 11, 2013 at 10:07 PM
David - I can so relate to coming home exhausted. We can't think when we are too tired. It's better to look for opportunities, let go of some of the pressure to work a set amount of time, and realize that thinking, planning, and exploring ideas, techniques, books, even Youtube - these are all ways of working toward our artistic goals.
Margaret - well said!
Posted by: sue | February 11, 2013 at 08:23 AM
Since I started my current job, I have been too tired to do much at all on my return home after a long commute. Weekends are usually taken up with housework and taking my wife to the shops - so I'm tired again! I'm hoping that as the evenings get lighter, I will become more energised and get back into my garage/studio, as I have two paintings on the go. The cold weather isn't a problem, as I just have to wrap up warm (2 x fleeces, hat and warm socks!) to paint. I retire at the end of 2013 and have definite time allocated to my art from then, so I hope things work out as planned.
Thanks for some great articles on the blog. They really encourage me.
David
Posted by: David Raison | February 11, 2013 at 07:44 AM
I have come to accept that artists have different rhythms to their practice. I have lots of time because I am semi-retired, but there is only so much of that time that gets devoted to painting. I need a lot of down time where I am doing all the other things that lead to better art- thinking, looking, being, writing etc. When I am actually in the studio I am very productive. I like to think of it as life informing my art so all living is art work!
Posted by: margaret ryall | February 01, 2013 at 12:20 PM
(email comment) What a wonderful, encouraging and affirming article; just what I needed to hear! Thank you, Sue. Maybe this could be the start of another book?
Barbara Wild
Posted by: Barbara Wild | January 31, 2013 at 09:17 AM
Maggie - no matter what word - finding, making - the difference between the artist who is able to work consistently and the one who only talks about it is exactly as you describe - doing some sort of artwork every day. It doesn't make sense to procrastinate because you don't think you have perfect conditions.
Posted by: sue smith | January 31, 2013 at 08:30 AM
With a demanding full-time job, finding time is impossible for me. I have to *make* time to do any art. It's a constant struggle; somedays I come home from work and really need to collapse. I do try to do at least 15 minutes of some sort of artwork a day. I find it all adds up.
Thanks for the thoughtful post.
Posted by: Maggie | January 31, 2013 at 07:47 AM
From an email comment from Barbara Crone:
Sue wrote:"For some reason finding time changes the way you look at what you have in front of you. It's a gift you are giving to yourself and your art.
Where as having time is more like an excuse not to take out the trash."
This is powerful. Amazing, the difference a change of perspective can make! Thank you - Barbara
Posted by: sue smith | January 31, 2013 at 07:29 AM
Wow... just what I needed to read today. Thank you.
I get overwhelmed with time constraints and so many times that leads to not doing anything, unfortunately.
I'm "finding time" to start again and get on the path to learning and creating and making it a priority in my day.
Posted by: Allison Bacovillard | January 30, 2013 at 03:51 PM