The Art Habit

December 26, 2024


If you’re truly committed to becoming an artist, creating art should be at the top of your daily to-do list. While this may seem like an obvious statement, the reality of balancing life’s demands often complicates this simple truth. Life has a way of pulling us in countless directions—work, family, social obligations—and before you know it, your creative passion slips down the list of priorities. However, if you genuinely want to evolve as an artist, making time for your art must become a non-negotiable part of your routine.

Art of Prioritization

Picture this: you wake up, brew your tea, and sit down with your to-do list. The day is packed—emails to answer, household chores to tackle, errands to run, social engagements calling your name. With each passing task, your art time becomes more of an afterthought. By the end of the day, you look back and realize that once again, the time you intended to devote to your craft has been swallowed up by other obligations. This scenario isn’t just common; it’s a trap that many aspiring artists find themselves in, day after day.

To break free from this cycle, you must make a conscious, deliberate decision to prioritize your art. Without that commitment, your creative efforts risk being reduced to little more than a hobby—something you dabble in when the mood strikes or when there’s an empty slot in your schedule. But true artists know that creating isn’t just an occasional activity; it’s a way of life that demands intention, dedication, and focus.

Discipline: The Artist’s Unseen Muscle

Consider the mindset of an athlete. Athletes train relentlessly, even on days when they’d rather rest. They push through physical discomfort, mental fatigue, and external distractions, maintaining a singular focus on their long-term goals. As an artist, you must adopt this same level of discipline. Making art is not always glamorous; it involves late nights, early mornings, and pushing through creative blocks that may seem insurmountable at times.

The key to developing discipline in your art is consistency. Even when the muse is absent, or when you feel uninspired, showing up and creating is what separates amateurs from professionals. Whether it’s setting aside a fixed hour each day or carving out longer stretches of time over the weekend, the most successful artists are those who commit to creating regularly, no matter the circumstances. This steady dedication doesn’t just keep your skills sharp—it also helps you overcome creative slumps, as you train yourself to persist through moments of doubt.

Keeping Your Vision Clear

As you navigate the complexities of daily life, it’s essential to keep your long-term goals in mind. What do you want to achieve as an artist? Are you working towards your first solo exhibition? Do you dream of honing your skills to a level that brings you personal satisfaction? By clearly visualizing your destination, you can more easily identify the steps needed to get there.

This clarity of purpose serves as a powerful motivator during moments of distraction, frustration, or procrastination. When life pulls you in a hundred directions, ask yourself: What is my greater purpose here? Do you want to look back years from now and wish you’d made more time for your art? Or would you rather reflect on a body of work that reflects your dedication, progress, and creative growth? By keeping your vision front and center, you create a sense of urgency and direction that can help you stay on track even when life’s demands seem overwhelming.

Discipline, Dedication, and Vision

Making art a priority is a conscious choice that requires discipline, dedication, and a clear vision of what you want to achieve. Life will always present distractions, but true artists find ways to push through them. They treat their creative practice not as a pastime but as an essential part of their lives—something they cultivate and nourish every day.

This mindset doesn’t just help you improve your skills; it also deepens your relationship with your art. When you treat your creative practice with the respect it deserves—when you show up for it consistently, even on difficult days—you’ll find that your art becomes not just a product but a journey. It becomes something you live, breathe, and grow into. And through that journey, you’ll experience the satisfaction of true artistic evolution.

Remember, it’s not just about the final piece or the exhibition or the recognition you hope to receive. It’s about the discipline you build along the way, the dedication you invest in your craft, and the vision that propels you forward.