Developing an art practice

Hi there! I know it’s been ages since my last post. It was one of those periods where life took me through some twists and turns and even though I was still creating and sharing inspiration on my other social platforms (Instagram/Facebook), coming here and creating a real post seemed impossible. But here I am to share with you some ideas on how to keep creating when you think you no longer have it in you.

JOIN A CHALLENGE

It’s a struggle trying to be creative when going through difficult times, but it was especially important to me to do just that. I joined an art challenge, one that I have done in the past: The 100 day project This is a global challenge where you choose something to dedicate yourself to for 100 days. Sharing and seeing what other people share can help you be inspired and keep going. My 100 days project this year was 100 days of HEARTS. It was well suited as I was going through a healing process and mending a broken heart.

I’ve also enjoyed and have been inspired by the challenges on these sites:

Inktober

Carve December – look up hashtag #carvedecember on Instagram

Edingburgh Collage Collective

If you can’t find a challenge that interests you, create your own challenge such as:

Limit your supplies. Example: I am only going to create withe these ______________ art supplies.

Limit your colors. Only these two-three colors.

Choose a technique/craft. Calligraphy letters. Zentangle. Origami. Crochet.

Learn something new. How to write haiku. How to play ukulele.

HAVE AN ART BUDDY

I am lucky that have a handful of creative friends who I get together with to create. On these art dates we choose ahead of time what we are going to be working on but with no expectations. For example: let’s get together and play with watercolors. Let’s get together and do image transfers. Let’s get together and work on collage. You can also show your art buddy something that you know how to do, but they don’t and vice versus.

With some of my art buddies we send each other interesting posts that we find on social platforms.

Go to the art museum with your art buddy.

Have a cup of coffee/tea and just talk or share ideas with no pressure to create.

SPEND TIME IN NATURE

The ultimate art museum and inspiration: spending time in nature. Being in nature can restore your spirit. Try to challenge yourself to notice little details when you are in nature. For example, the shape of leaves and their veins. The ground on which you are walking (dirt, sand, grass). The trees. Grasses. Flowers. Weeds. Birds. Other animals. Pebbles. Clouds. Really, really pay attention to everything. Shapes, forms, smells, surfaces, sounds, temperatures.