Have you ever felt embarrassed to talk about a piece of art you admired, because you were afraid you might say the wrong thing?

Or do you avoid art altogether, to avoid being in that awkward position? Does it take a degree to know how to critique art?

I think not. Read the rest of this entry »

When was the last time you picked up a brush, or a pencil, or a crayon?

How did that feel? Whether you think back to yesterday, or many many years ago, you probably recall a feeling of pure freedom and bliss. This is an invitation to feel that bliss again, and to show your art, in-front of an encouraging and supporting audience. A safe audience. This is also an invitation, to be that audience. Read the rest of this entry »

Let me paint you a picture.

Long afternoons sipping Latte in the cafe. Private moments in your huge studio pondering your next brush stroke. Glamorous gallery openings. Champagne and Press. A house in Tuscany, or a New YorkPenthouse. World wide fame and recognition. Books with your name as the title in every art section of every bookshop.

No wonder “being an artist” is in the top of every child’s list of things they want to be when they grow up. Read the rest of this entry »

If you had a bit more time, you’d make more art? Well so would I, but what if we never get any more time? Here are some ways I can think off, that you, and me can squeeze art making time into our daily routine

1. Keep a sketch book. Take it with you everywhere and start noting down your observations. When you see something that stirs you even a little bit, note it down, or sketch, or doodle. Sketches can be considered a work of art in their own right. And if you build a habit of sketching and taking down notes, you will start to see a theme emerging. When you finally do have some time to paint, the raw treasures in your sketchbook, will be as valuable as gold to you!

2. Wake up early. (you want to paint for 2 hours, wake up two hours earlier) That means you have to sleep early too. Or at least get enough sleep. Now waking up early is hard, but sometimes, sleeping early is even harder. If you can’t sleep early, a good exercise session during the day can help. Say, you actually do get to bed early, there will always be the temptation to just hit the snooze button the next morning. To make the morning painting session a little more tempting, consider laying out all your paints and materials the night before, creating an inviting art making space.

3. Paint during your lunch break. Like waking up early to paint, preparation is the key. Again laying out a space to paint will provide some motivation, while saving time. The next thing you need to prepare is an easy to eat, no fuss, artist lunch! I recommend something you can eat with one hand and doesn’t make too much of a mess. For the really hardcore, try a banana and coffee!

4. Paint in your car. This is a novel idea. Okay, it won’t work for everyone. Especially not for those of you with really fancy cars. But there’s a principal here that you might be able to apply. Yet again preparation is the key. I spend a lot of time waiting, and if during each of those times I added a little bit of paint to a canvas. Eventually I’d end up with quite an interesting painting. Many a first novel was written this way. Making this a novel idea in more ways then one.

5. Create a painting trap. What do I mean by that? Simply this: Set up your art making space, in a high traffic area in your home. For example, on the way to the kitchen, or right outside your bedroom. Being confronted with a blank canvas, or a partly finished painting with tools close at hand, could be a very effective ‘trap’ for when you have a few moments or more to spare. Humans are wired to complete things. The painting trap, just helps us prioritize art making.

6. Designate an art day. Tell your friends, turn off your phone, and just take a day off to paint. It could be one day a month, every second weekend, maybe a religious holiday, of a religion you don’t practice. Commit to your painting day in advance, and don’t let yourself be swayed. Like the ‘gone fishing’ sign. Make a ‘gone painting’ sign.

7. Turn your bathroom into a makeshift studio. ( this one is for the spatially challenged ) I’ve done it a few times to good effect. Painting can get messy. And if you’re going to mess a room, why not the one that’s the easiest to clean. Other benefits include: privacy and running water. And when you’re done. You get too win brownie points by washing the bathroom!

The bonus tip: Stop ‘blogging’ and go and paint already! And by that I mean, stop fidgeting with your site meter and checking for comments, and seeing who’s linked you in the last five minutes. Blogging is great, but it can be quite consuming. Try batching your processes, and maybe only checking and replying your comments once or twice a day. And that will make a whole lot of difference. Or am I the only one who checked my stats each time i sat down at the computer today?