I just did this and as I was putting down some things like teaching knitting and Procreate I started feeling very cramped. But making things like a new mitten book or new comics feels open and freeing. So I have to figure out if I need to do any teaching for money or if I'm ok with just taking that out of my plans next year, and finding more ways to use my art-related projects to fill any income gap.
Since I didn't do this when it was posted, I made a Late Summer --> the beginning of Winter (i.e., the end of August and all of the Fall) mind map. My inspiration was an Indian Thali tray or Middle Eastern mezze platter. Both cuisines offer lots of tastes in small plates. My platters looked really full. It was hard to delete anything because I am committed to everything I wrote down. And then I realized that my artist needs lots more fun and playtime. "She needs to float and feel the breeze."
Glad you were able to get an accurate depiction of your plate. This process is less about deleting anything than about noticing. You noticed that you need lots more fun and playtime. You could make a mindmap for the next season, and start with that bubble and what might go on there. That could help make sure it gets on the map and in your life. I love that 'float and feel the breeze.'
Ooh, that was interesting again :-) I realized that what my artist wants most is being allowed to play and relax. That then shakes hand with my meditation. I'll have to strip away my will to learn and get better at some things. That does not mean that I don't allow myself to try and learn things but the pressure and expectations need leave the plate because they lead to insecurities and "Bääh-Mood". Also I think I'll have to restrain my curiosity and limit myself to certain materials and a specific project to work on and also give my artist a time window without YT or Insta.
Mind mapping was what I needed this month, Cynthia. I am thinking about leaving my phone behind when I go to the new workspace outside. It is a revolutionary thought living in my technology focused household, but I am interested in experimenting with the idea of a tech free zone!
Also realized that I haven't been giving my artist play time. If I only work on the book, it is more production style instead of play time. So going to try baking in some time for experimentation and playful creation too. (For instance, I think the old garden wheelbarrow could use a whimsical paint job)
I am glad mindmapping now helped you. It's such a simple but potent process.
I love your plan to leave the phone behind. You can ask: What purpose does it serve in my outside studio? (Probably not much.) It's a great experiment to see its role in your studio time, and to see how it feels/what's different without it.
DEFINITELY bring back the play! I look forward to hearing how your life and art shifts when you make space both for production and play time.
Happy to hear that the book work continues! Not that I doubted it....
The efficiency excuse really resonated with me...I am a recovering production ceramicist and find that even when I'm trying to play or explore freely, the efficiency devil is on my shoulder whispering in my ear. He prompts me to work quickly but want things to be done well at the same time, which is not always possible as we know. Learning something new needs time and space, not a whipcracking efficiency judge! So...working on that. :)
Haven't mindmapped yet but that's next. I'm feeling some resistance so I'm just gonna let it dissipate and then give it a shot.
I think when we get to unlocking your Creative DNA in September, you'll see how other values can take the lead when it's time to explore or play. For now, consider what is important to you about that freedom, exploration and play in your studio now. Do some reflective writing on this to give this part of you the space it craves.
You can also explore the resistance in writing, which may yield insights and also dissipate it more efficiently. ;) A prompt for that: I'm resisting...
Thank you! Will use that advice and prompt, and look forward to September's goodies. I'm also finding it hard to hear my artist amidst the cacophony of to-do lists and 'shoulds'. I think this program is really going to help me unearth her again! ✨
I’m so glad you are here, Tabbatha! Please do adopt the practice of reflective writing as it will help you to hear your artist more clearly. I think you’ll enjoy it, too.
I'm in the process of RETIRING from my knitting biz so my ART gets all the time! Well, I incorporated art making into my business several years ago and I've been doing side art projects for about ten years. I find myself not having time to do other things, like sweep the floor or go out for coffee. Very happy that art has taken over my life for the time being.
This is so exciting, Donna. I love that you’ve been making space for your artist for years. You already know what your artist loves, now it’s time to make more space for your creativity. I am happy for you!
The three excuses at the beginning of the article really hit home in terms of my music. I’m not doing anything with it yet I know practicing classical guitar and playing ukulele and singing makes me feel better. Why can’t that be enough? I think it’s an overall issue I have with self-care. I do enough to keep me healthy but stall when trying to feel great. Like I don’t deserve it. I thought my self esteem issues were under control but clearly not!
Whether it's self-esteem issues or not, it seems like a good time to develop new sources of motivation for your creative time.
We're trained to think that external motivation is the only valid way. If we sell our work. If others see/read/hear it. If we finish things and 'get them out there'.
But that's such a limited path. There are so many reasons to create and so many ways to do it.
Perhaps you can play with paying exquisite attention to the impact you feel when you get out the guitar and ukulele and sing. Really take note of it and use that awareness to build a new, authentic inner drive.
There will be much more about doing this in upcoming weeks.
The mindmapping exercise was great. I can see where I can carve out creative time a couple of evenings a week. I am a morning person and do all my writing in the early morning. In the evenings I generally zone out with some trash TV, but why not zone out with collaging or knitting instead?!
Experiment with different types of evening time. I think sometimes we need the complete 'off' switch that trash TV gives us. And some nights will be great for your creative expression.
I just did this and as I was putting down some things like teaching knitting and Procreate I started feeling very cramped. But making things like a new mitten book or new comics feels open and freeing. So I have to figure out if I need to do any teaching for money or if I'm ok with just taking that out of my plans next year, and finding more ways to use my art-related projects to fill any income gap.
Since I didn't do this when it was posted, I made a Late Summer --> the beginning of Winter (i.e., the end of August and all of the Fall) mind map. My inspiration was an Indian Thali tray or Middle Eastern mezze platter. Both cuisines offer lots of tastes in small plates. My platters looked really full. It was hard to delete anything because I am committed to everything I wrote down. And then I realized that my artist needs lots more fun and playtime. "She needs to float and feel the breeze."
A mezze platter! Yes! I love that.
Glad you were able to get an accurate depiction of your plate. This process is less about deleting anything than about noticing. You noticed that you need lots more fun and playtime. You could make a mindmap for the next season, and start with that bubble and what might go on there. That could help make sure it gets on the map and in your life. I love that 'float and feel the breeze.'
Ooh, that was interesting again :-) I realized that what my artist wants most is being allowed to play and relax. That then shakes hand with my meditation. I'll have to strip away my will to learn and get better at some things. That does not mean that I don't allow myself to try and learn things but the pressure and expectations need leave the plate because they lead to insecurities and "Bääh-Mood". Also I think I'll have to restrain my curiosity and limit myself to certain materials and a specific project to work on and also give my artist a time window without YT or Insta.
Mind mapping was what I needed this month, Cynthia. I am thinking about leaving my phone behind when I go to the new workspace outside. It is a revolutionary thought living in my technology focused household, but I am interested in experimenting with the idea of a tech free zone!
Also realized that I haven't been giving my artist play time. If I only work on the book, it is more production style instead of play time. So going to try baking in some time for experimentation and playful creation too. (For instance, I think the old garden wheelbarrow could use a whimsical paint job)
Melissa!
I am glad mindmapping now helped you. It's such a simple but potent process.
I love your plan to leave the phone behind. You can ask: What purpose does it serve in my outside studio? (Probably not much.) It's a great experiment to see its role in your studio time, and to see how it feels/what's different without it.
DEFINITELY bring back the play! I look forward to hearing how your life and art shifts when you make space both for production and play time.
Happy to hear that the book work continues! Not that I doubted it....
I wanna see that wheelbarrow!
The efficiency excuse really resonated with me...I am a recovering production ceramicist and find that even when I'm trying to play or explore freely, the efficiency devil is on my shoulder whispering in my ear. He prompts me to work quickly but want things to be done well at the same time, which is not always possible as we know. Learning something new needs time and space, not a whipcracking efficiency judge! So...working on that. :)
Haven't mindmapped yet but that's next. I'm feeling some resistance so I'm just gonna let it dissipate and then give it a shot.
Thanks!
I feel your efficiency imperative pain, Tabbatha!
I think when we get to unlocking your Creative DNA in September, you'll see how other values can take the lead when it's time to explore or play. For now, consider what is important to you about that freedom, exploration and play in your studio now. Do some reflective writing on this to give this part of you the space it craves.
You can also explore the resistance in writing, which may yield insights and also dissipate it more efficiently. ;) A prompt for that: I'm resisting...
Have fun with it all!
Thank you! Will use that advice and prompt, and look forward to September's goodies. I'm also finding it hard to hear my artist amidst the cacophony of to-do lists and 'shoulds'. I think this program is really going to help me unearth her again! ✨
I’m so glad you are here, Tabbatha! Please do adopt the practice of reflective writing as it will help you to hear your artist more clearly. I think you’ll enjoy it, too.
I'm in the process of RETIRING from my knitting biz so my ART gets all the time! Well, I incorporated art making into my business several years ago and I've been doing side art projects for about ten years. I find myself not having time to do other things, like sweep the floor or go out for coffee. Very happy that art has taken over my life for the time being.
This is so exciting, Donna. I love that you’ve been making space for your artist for years. You already know what your artist loves, now it’s time to make more space for your creativity. I am happy for you!
The three excuses at the beginning of the article really hit home in terms of my music. I’m not doing anything with it yet I know practicing classical guitar and playing ukulele and singing makes me feel better. Why can’t that be enough? I think it’s an overall issue I have with self-care. I do enough to keep me healthy but stall when trying to feel great. Like I don’t deserve it. I thought my self esteem issues were under control but clearly not!
Whether it's self-esteem issues or not, it seems like a good time to develop new sources of motivation for your creative time.
We're trained to think that external motivation is the only valid way. If we sell our work. If others see/read/hear it. If we finish things and 'get them out there'.
But that's such a limited path. There are so many reasons to create and so many ways to do it.
Perhaps you can play with paying exquisite attention to the impact you feel when you get out the guitar and ukulele and sing. Really take note of it and use that awareness to build a new, authentic inner drive.
There will be much more about doing this in upcoming weeks.
That’s a great idea. I could make it visual, a map of feelings my music creates.
Now things are starting to sound FUN!
The mindmapping exercise was great. I can see where I can carve out creative time a couple of evenings a week. I am a morning person and do all my writing in the early morning. In the evenings I generally zone out with some trash TV, but why not zone out with collaging or knitting instead?!
Glad you liked this, Jenny!
Experiment with different types of evening time. I think sometimes we need the complete 'off' switch that trash TV gives us. And some nights will be great for your creative expression.
Definitely! I allowed myself a bit of a sit in the garden with my knitting last night - haha!
That sounds lovely!