| What looks like a talent gap is often a focus gap.The ‘all star’ is often an average to above average performer who spends more time working on what is important and less time on distractions.The talent is staying focused.~ James Clear |
I can get distracted pretty easily. I even distract myself at times. However, I have also developed the skill of returning to those projects I’ve been distracted from. Over time, this allows me to make progress toward larger goals. It can be easy to grow bored with a project and want to drop it for something new and thus more exciting. Author James Clear said, “Fall in love with boredom. Fall in love with repetition and practice. Fall in love with the process of what you do and let the results take care of themselves.” It’s easy to not want to make art because I don’t have a clear end-result in mind. Generally speaking, however, I care more about the art-making process than the finished piece. It’s the journey that keeps me interested – I just have to make myself take the first step.
- This week’s artist – Sarah Coey – is an abstract artist based in Scotland. Her colorful, happy, and bright abstracts are full of energy. She hopes they ignite joy and happiness in those who view them. Her favorite advice she’s received is to create art for yourself and for nobody else! Be sure to check out her website and instagram for more!
- When does your inspiration strike? Hopefully every day at art-making time.
- Looking for inspiration? Make art as a souvenir.
- Your sketchbook is an invaluable tool.
- Here are tips to start a sketching habit if your sketchbook has been gathering dust.
- Here’s an affordable workshop from Alyson Stanfield on How to Ask for More Money for Your Art.
- You’ve probably seen Bob Ross painting. He also invited some other artists to share a lesson. Here’s Ben Stahl painting. The comments below the video are worth perusing, too. Ben’s approach may be the opposite of Bob’s.
- I always enjoy watching a plein air artist work and hearing about their thought process. Here’s Peter Brown painting a London cityscape.
- Here’s another result from Kristen’s work in the paper section. We’ve had great feedback from the mini-stonehenge pads by the register so we decided to bring in the larger versions too. These cotton papers really handle well and come in a variety of options.
A few years ago I heard an example about building fires. If you start 2 or 3 (or more) small campfires, you’ll spend your time running between each of them, frantically making sure they don’t go out. If you take more time and slowly build that first fire into a bonfire, you can leave it burning and go work on the second, and then on to the third. Our projects and interests are the same way. If we start a new drawing and then decide to learn how to knit and then find another project to work on we’ll find ourselves bouncing between them and making little to slow progress. However, if we finish that drawing then focus on knitting until we’re comfortable before moving to the next project we’ll have 2.5 things finished much faster than we would have otherwise. Your art can light up the world. The world needs your art!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
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