31 Artist Thoughts

Why 31?
​Well, today - I am 31!
​🥳

​Somehow that kid on the left is 31? 

31 Thoughts on creative/art things just for you.

1. Art block is an important time in life - its you facing your resistance and perfectionism. It's you needing a rest. It's normal and it will end and you'll work out how to get through by getting quiet and listening to yourself.

2. You should keep at least one creativity practice just for you in my opinion - no posting, no sharing - just for you to get your feels out or to mindlessly create.

3. Find the little reward that gets you to do the tougher stuff - mine is stickers.

4. Every time you feel like you hate what you're making - take a break.

5. Take a break before you hate it.

6. Find the time of the day you feel the most creative and use it. Aka don't force yourself to create at 9am if you are not a 9am person. Alter working hours accordingly. 

7. It is ok to buy a present for someone's birthday even if you are 'usually' the one who makes them.

8. Put your tea and your paint water on separate surfaces if possible.

9. You don't have to finish every project if you don't need to. I mean, if it's a client project obviously you do - but if it's a half felted hedgehog - it's ok - you can let it go.

10. Write or doodle the 'idea' that pops up down as soon as you get it.

Zoe, about 14.

​11. Have a notebook handy for this purpose! One you look at regularly and can weed out the good stuff or look at when your imagination has run dry.

12. Give yourself permission to adapt and shift in your style and in your practice.

13. Sit with your mental blocks and your resistance to things - you learn a lot in these moments when you approach them with curiosity and not blame. Do this with journaling, meditation and I recommend talking to yourself.

14. Don't belittle your old work - I've definitely done this - it was coming from a place of insecurity. I was trying my best back then and I'm trying my best now. I've improved and I'm proud. You never know who is watching and where they are at in their own journey.

​15. You're going to end up loving what you loved as a kid and called 'cringe' as a teen so you might as well lean into it.

16. You have to be prepared to be not good to start whatever you're starting.

17. Buy a bigger canvas.

18. You are going to finish pieces you don't like.

19. Always account for a 'Pandora's Box' in a big project. Just write PB and give it wiggle room. Something is going to go wrong at some point.

20. Admit when you need help. The more you do it the more you'll see it coming and the less it will be about crisis management.

It's me - I think I'm 24.

21. No one is going to call you an artist until you call yourself one.

22. Put the date in the diary to make the thing. Stick to it.

23. Just because someone is 'already doing it' doesn't mean that you shouldn't. I.e. someone already paints woodland creatures with little party hats. WELL. I think the world needs MORE.

24. Shop local business when you can - it gives people so much joy.

25. Take a sketchbook wherever you can.

26. Your sketchbook does not need to and, in my opinion, should not need to, look like a finished piece of art.

27. Celebrate the creatives around you whenever and in whatever way you can. They need the love!

28. Art is a voice for the voiceless.

29. Talk to your self employed friends about your business goals - they get it and they might have some amazing advice. Listen to their stories too.

30. Paint the thing that either slightly scares you or makes you nervous. Do it.
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31. If you can get your face painted like a dragon you should.

More gems on my about me page