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Art block, new mediums, & time management as a full-time professional and part-time artist
Things, lately, have been quite busy, and I'd say that's even an understatement. The themes of the month of March have been: stress, self-care struggles, and silent time.
"...it's easy to feel like I'm running on a 'hamster-wheel' that is the Instagram algorithm..."
"...I've made a conscious decision to step back from posting on my social media every day..."
While spending time at home, one big comfort of mine has been my cat – well, cats – and they remind me to think of the good (see Levi above). I sometimes feel like I take on the persona of a cat on my days off; I rest in bed and enjoy the fleeting moments of the sun through the windows when it permits.
Art FOMO
One of my biggest challenges right now is that I've been trying to adjust to my full-time role as a working professional. My life is largely working, sleeping to make sure I am ready to work, and thinking about work. The thing about being a creative person though, is that I often feel this sense of FOMO when I see fellow artists working on beautiful pieces – sometimes I wish I had more time to be able to do these things too.
But things aren't all drab and art-less in my life. Though I've made a conscious decision to step back from posting on my social media every day, I still like to share some bits of my art life (though it's been sparing). I have had some card commissions and small projects that I've picked up, like trying out air dry clay for fun!
Here are some watercolour cards (right) that I made for a commission, and I'm still working away on them. It's for a client and good friend of mine who asked for 10 cards of various designs, and for multiple occasions. I was inspired by the change of seasons and, for some reason, vintage cookbooks – in other words, I have been anticipating the summer and spring produce ;)
I think it's important to remember that, even though I am not sharing my work every single day, I am still an artist.
And, I write this as a little reminder to myself that, I may not be creating things every day but that does not negate my creative soul.
Finding uplifting messages & affirmations
I've been also finding comfort in my little Pinterest boards, which sounds funny when I type it out, but it's been helping me be gentle with my heart. Here are some quotes that you may need too hear, artist or not, if you've started to come back to yourself – which I can only describe as the 'end-of-hibernation awakening' – after this harsh winter.
"Normalize quietly existing without explaining yourself to anyone" - Unknown
This spoke to me because I think, being someone with an online platform, not all of it resonates with my goals. I have tried to be more intentional about the content I share, when I share it, and why I do, because it's easy to feel like I'm running on a 'hamster-wheel' that is the Instagram algorithm. It's refreshing to take this perspective, and know that I don't need to sell my soul to Instagram (lol).
"It's not about trying harder. Softness opens doors that force cannot move" - Unknown
Conclusions and moving forward
I am still learning how to be both a working professional and an artist. I know that my life is never predictable, being in the line of work that I am, so I'm trying to find ways to incorporate my art into my life. I think that being transparent on here is one way I am trying to be creative – articulating my thoughts, even if its not on pen and paper – helps me explore my creative brain and see what works and what doesn't on my journey.
Thanks for following along and reading - I hope this little post gave you a little insight into some of my struggles and, maybe you can relate too.
Take care of yourselves and I'll write again soon,
Jade
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