One of the biggest obstacles most people have with creating art is the amount of time that’s required. Here’s a bit about how I overcome that.
First though…Let me start by announcing…
I just finished a new painting!! (to be released soon)
I started this painting a few months ago. I’ve worked on this piece as one of my ongoing background projects which means that I’ve consciously scheduled time to paint in-between my traveling, my other work demands and most importantly, my family life.
When I tell most people that my paintings often take me 2-3 months, I typically get one of two reactions like these…
“That would take me years!”
The answer I usually give, seems obvious to me…
“So why not spend years?”
Don’t compare yourself. Maybe what I do would take you years. But I often see other artists creating very impressive works of art in days or weeks. The path of others is theirs. Don’t compare yourself to others.
Speed has nothing to do with the purpose of why I create. So I eliminate time as a factor and it makes my painting experience a meditative experience. Each painting is a therapy session and a visual journal entry for me.
“My paintings are just a souvenir of what’s left behind from that experience.”
“My paintings are just a souvenir of what’s left behind from that experience.”
I also hear this quite a bit from people….
“I don’t have the patience to spend that long on anything!”
Patience is directly related to a couple things…
A) Your willingness to delay gratification.
B) Being willing to do the work even there is no guarantee of reward.
I’m an entrepreneur and an artist, so I’ve become good at both. Taking risks and investing in your own creativity is part of the success formula. I know that not everything I do will bring success but I learn something each time and thus evolve.
Don’t get me wrong, I know that we don’t always have the luxury of removing deadlines and time. I don’t either. I do a lot of commissioned work for clients and there are definitely deadlines to adhere to. But even then, I create a safe bubble for myself to create in where I can zone out on time pressures and let my vision flow.
All of our journey’s are different. Let me sum this all up here.
- Embrace your visions and ideas.
- Be willing to work slow and steady without expectation.
- Give your passion the time it needs to manifest.
- Enjoy the process.
