Have you always wanted to make art consistently and connect with your own creativity even just for a few minutes a day? I believe deeply that we are all creative and need to create. After years of trial and error, I have a creative practice that sticks and I’m sharing my best tips on how to start a creative practice for yourself here!
An encouraging word before we jump to five easy steps to start a creative practice:
Every artist is different and at a different place in their life and practice. So, make space for yourself to try various approaches and try again and then again and maybe again and again.
We call it practice for a reason. When I mention what I have found to stick, please know that this is what has worked for me in this particular season of life. The encouragement below is meant to meet you exactly where you are, even if it is the first time you have thought about a creative practice.
1. Decide why.
Try not to over think it. But, this will help you to prioritize when it is hard. I believe that there is one sure fire way to grow as a visual artist and it is practice. Lots of practice which only happens with time. I can not create from an authentic place if I am focusing on others work, my painting sales, or what work I have to post on instagram.
My why is that when I create art, my soul is filled with thankfulness and gratitude, I am able to live from a better place and give to others from that overflow.
2. Prioritize it.
This might sound overly simplistic, but I have found it to be the foundation of my practice. My mindset must be set to showing up. There will be days that it is inconvenient, that my to-do list feels too long, that my inspiration has waned, that I receive discouragement or just feel that I can’t. If I have pre-decided to do it, it is more likely to happen.
3. Gather and organize supplies.
You do not need a studio space. You do not have to have a spare room. (If you do have one that is wonderful!) To be completely transparent, I create more without one. My current life demands do not allow me extended hours of time to myself. I have an art table set up in the corner of our living room with two carefully selected pieces of small storage furniture for supplies. Keeping it simple and in the middle of where my life is happening is one thing that revolutionized my practice. It may seem counterintuitive but it allows me to grab little pockets of time and leave things out and accessible.
If you have your art supplies tucked away in a box on a shelf, I encourage you to take them out and set them up in an accessible space. It might require a little rearranging but it will be worth it!
If you’re looking for supplies you can head here to find supply lists I have created.
4. Schedule it.
This might seem obvious, but it was not so straightforward to me. I have to set my creative time as an appointment with myself and keep it as such. If it helps you can think of it as a date to nurture your inner artist and creative soul. Don’t let her down! If you are like me, it is time to get creative in your thinking.
I tend to think “if it can’t look exactly this way it can’t be done at all!” If you think in that all or nothing mindset, you are one kiddo math work meltdown, late snack, skipped nap or wonky bedtime away from missing it altogether.
If it helps start small with one appointment a week. Perhaps one night a week you skip kid bedtime and work until yours, decide to include your children after their nap time and work alongside them, 2 days a week use your kids show watching time, 20 minutes is a great block of time! Whatever time you decide on schedule it and keep it!
Please notice that there is not a set amount of time, particular outline for how it should look, or perimeters for how many people can be involved in these steps for how to start a creative practice. Your practice must be yours alone or it will never work for you!
5. Do it – create!
Remember that with any good thing there will be resistance to push through. Do not be surprised if impostor syndrome creeps in. Embrace it as a friend you’ve been waiting for, say hello and then send it on its way. Put those blinders on and get creating. Have fun! Let it be low stakes. If you are valuing the process of creating and all that it gives to you instead of the end product you will find yourself energized to keep showing up day after day. If you are feeling discouraged, notice your thoughts. Are you maybe taking in too much of other peoples work on social media and comparing your own? Is your pinterest board of inspiration making you feel less than inspired?
I’m not speaking this judgmentally, but truly sharing what my most frequent road blocks can be. Get off that screen!
Need some ideas on where to find inspiration off of the screen?
Here are a few quick ideas: get out a favorite photo that you took and use it to inspire you, play with mixing new colors, make a mistake on purpose and follow where it leads, turn on your favorite music, FaceTime a friend to chat with while you paint or draw, go on a walk and gather beauty to bring inside (more tips on connecting to nature here). Do the things that spark that wonderful urge to create you feel inside you. They are, in my humble opinion, just as important as the work itself.
I hope these steps help you know how to start a creative practice.
I believe deeply that we are all creative and need to create. It is written into the blueprint of who are. Let that settle into your heart and mind, and I hope it encourages you to begin or begin again or keep going on the exciting adventure of making art a part of your life.
