It’s time! Dust off those brushes and dig out the art materials that have been waiting patiently for you! It’s time to get this happening. Read on for 10 steps to get started in making art and to keep it going in the midst of your busy life.
There are so many benefits to bringing some art and creativity into your life. Have you heard? I find that when there’s no pressure to create something technically perfect you can just use this process to bring some daily calm into your life, to stop and take some time for yourself, to simply play and explore. For me it’s similar to meditation. I like to light a candle or some incense and put on some relaxing music.
Through building a creative practice that elusive flow state can come to you quicker than you may think - simple acts such as sharpening pencils, mixing a watercolour, making marks on a page with nothing particular in mind. It’s little wonder that those mindful colouring books are such a hit - no pressure, just get your materials and go for it.
Well known benefits to art making and utilised well in the field of art therapy include: stress reduction, self expression, improvement in skills such as fine motor and art skills, improved self confidence, improved problem solving skills and creative thinking as well as focus and concentration. It’s also worth mentioning that this kind of practice can help you deal with unresolved issues or emotions. Check out the amazing Noula Diamontopoulos in action in the series Space 22 for some real life examples https://iview.abc.net.au/show/space-22
Here’s some tips for getting started with a daily art making practice.
Organise your materials - Get a small trolley or basket to keep your materials in. A trolley on castor wheels is super handy to keep these small items in one place. If you’re in a small place this can easily be moved out of the way. Mine is organised with the most used items at the top and then storage below that. If you have a shelf or cupboard this is even better but I like being able to see my materials.
Set up a smaller portable kit - Use a pencil case or toiletries pouch and take it with you and a small notebook so if you have to wait somewhere you can do some mark making instead of scrolling. I keep one of these in the lounge room, in my car and by my bed (I’m clearly obsessed).
Get into the habit - Join some art challenges, there’s stacks out there. I recommend you join my one starting 1st November until 1st March #100crazyflorals @michellegolding_art but there’s so many like #sketch_dailies and #doodleaday and #monthofcolour by @estemacleod. Just search up art challenges on Instagram and you’ll find many. You can also just do a 30 day challenge yourself - mark off your calendar and give yourself a reward at the end.
Build some more skills - If budget allows join Skillshare * - I’m always raving on about this platform mainly because it’s such good value if you’re wanting to learn some skills or improve. For an annual subscription (currently AUD168) you have access to 100s, probably 1000s of little courses for every little thing - every art form and many digital art making courses too from beginner to advanced. I even have one course on there and will likely add some more next year. Then there’s Youtube of course.
Find community - most council areas have art societies and clubs you can join for a small fee. Many offer cheap classes, painting sessions and annual exhibitions. If you’re not into that then there’s plenty of online groups too for beginners to advanced - one that comes to mind is Diann Zimmermans ‘Watercolour - Beginners and Beyond’ with $184K membership - the benefit is kind and encouraging feedback from other members, connection and maybe even some new friendships. Sidenote: If you live with others it may be worth letting them know that starting this practice is important and they will benefit too (coz you’ll feel happier!).
Subject matter - But Michelle, I don’t know what to draw, paint, create! Excuses be gone! You simply follow your interests to find subject matter that excites you. Do you love a certain type of plant, a food, a shape or an animal? DIve into your passions to find what lights you up!
Encourage yourself - write this on a piece of paper “Everyone is an artist, including me”. You may not believe it at first but soon you’ll learn that it’s true. Mark making is a human practice and has been around since the beginning - perhaps the first language ever created to tell stories, record events, send messages. And as Joseph Chilton Pearce said, ‘To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong’. Of course you’ll stuff up, you HAVE TO and in doing this you’ll keep evolving and learning and growing. In tiny increments you’ll get better and better and better. It’s true! (I’m shouting here).
Be process driven - Realise that art making doesn’t have to end in a product, do it for the process. What I mean is stop judging yourself, don’t focus on the opinions of others about whether it’s good, worthy, skillful. You don’t have to share it with others or even show them. Many won’t understand what you’re doing and why - you don’t have to explain it or justify it. Just know that in doing this practice you’re enhancing your enjoyment of being alive. I love a good scribble. When I’m feeling frustrated and life feels messy I hold the pencil in my fist and go for it. So satisfying. Sometimes I’ll turn it upside down and think ‘I’m now going to colour in the negative space’ and it becomes a private symbol to me of my resilience and creative spirit.
Just start - make marks on a page - try spirals, wavy lines, simple strokes in one direction, try the same thing using some different materials like crayons, pen liner, watercolour… soon you’ll discover what you like using eg. I’m not a fan of hard pastels but I love those Crayola twistables crayons. Posca pens are pretty cool and I love these Prismacolor pencils which are soft and deliciously smooth to use. Most of the time I’m just happy with a lead pencil, an eraser and sharpener on the side.
Seek inspiration by hearing other creatives stories and ideas. There are a number of excellent books which I’ve mentioned in previous blogs as well as podcasts from creatives as well. Andy J Pizza comes to mind https://www.andyjpizza.com/ and Elizabeth Gilbert’s Magic lessons https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/magic-lessons-with-elizabeth-gilbert/id1138081319
Or simply go for a walk and look at the world as a place full of potential inspiration.
Good luck, my friend! Go do it.
Share with me using the hashtag #michelle_goldingart on Instagram, I’d love to cheer you on!
* If interested in Skillshare: Use this link to give yourself a free 30 day trial, no obligation to continue: https://www.skillshare.com/en/r/profile/Michelle-Golding/34051973?gr_tch_ref=on
(Note: this is a referral link, Skillshare offers me a small gratuity for anyone who uses it and ends up buying a subscription).
Tip: If you get on there and don’t know where to start look up my name and see the projects I’ve completed. You’ll find many of my fave teachers there. Follow them on Skillshare and you can find all their courses.
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