Igniting your life as a creative person doesn’t just start when you put the brush on the canvas. It starts before that … It begins with those little habits of how you go through your day.
By beginning to carve little treasures of time for yourself, you will start to create a more meaningful, lovely, creative life. WATCH OUT! You might even become a full-fledged artist. Continue at your own risk…Here is your checklist to get started: BON VOYAGE!
1. DO NOTHING. (for 5 minutes)
In order to start making art and creativity a bigger part of your life, you’ll need a little inspiration. Inspiration doesn’t come from staring at the canvas. It comes from creating a little space for yourself, in your daily life.
Find 5 or more minutes today where you can sit quietly, or go for a walk. OR skip some stones.
Painting by HUSH, street artist and toymaker
2. NOTICE STUFF.
Have you stopped long enough to notice the beauty around you lately? From time to time today, put down what you are doing, look up, and notice one beautiful thing. (Maybe even post a sticky note to remind you).
3. COLLECT INSPIRATION.
As you go through your day, take snapshots with your phone whenever you see something you find inspiring . You may want to paint it someday, or it may make you to feel a little more alive.
4. EXTRA CREDIT:
Collect your photos on instagram.com. If you don’t already have an instagram account, it’s a great way to archive all your inspirations quickly and easily.
Flat brushes, and foam brushes are my favs!
5. PERUSE AN ART STORE & BUY STUFF.
Go to an art store, and buy stuff that excites you. It doesn’t have to make sense. You don’t have to have a plan. If you love your supplies, they will be there for you when you need them most.
6. MAKE A TINY MOVEMENT TOWARDS YOUR ART.
These are called, “micro-movements”. The hardest part can often be getting started. So start your art by simply setting out your supplies. Maybe the next time you walk by them, you can unwrap them. Or set out a jar of water for your brush (or whatever you need for your form of art).
7. JUST DOODLE.
If you are unsure of how to use your art supplies, or intimidated, just set out a journal and pen, and doodle. Period. No pressure. Just by doodling, you are opening your channels of creativity, and making it less intimidating to get started next time.
8. LEAVE IT OUT.
Don’t ever put your art away. Find a little corner where you can leave it out all the time. That way you can just do a little here, and a little there, and you won’t need all the time it takes to set up and clean up.
9. TEN MINUTES HONEY.
That’s all it takes –10 minutes here and there will add up. You’ll be surprised how much stuff you create over time by just doing a little here and there. (My mom told me this, and she’s smart.)
10. TAKE A CLASS.
Taking a class is like reserving a little retreat for yourself that no one can touch. Sometimes it’s all you need to just get started. Set aside this space for yourself. You’ll learn new things, get inspired, light your fire, and use your supplies. Who knows what will come of it? My entire art career began with one class.
Learn more about Pedal to Petal, my online e-course here.
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Happy Creating!