I find the practice of yoga to be very parallel to the practice of art. Today (while cleaning in my studio) I stumbled upon a card bearing ten tips to inspire a yoga practice, and felt this overwhelming urge to read the list with art in mind. So I present my adapted list:
- Start small. Make an attainable commitment to add something more and stick to it. Soon that small, regular commitment will expand as you realize how good it feels.
- Make art with friends. Artistic energy increases by resonance. Connecting via the internet and blogging is a good, in person is even better.
- Shake up your routine with a new medium. Try watercolor or encaustic, fabric or metal or glass, collage or sculpture.
- Buy new art materials. Everybody knows the thrill of a new toy! Important: buy it and USE it!
- Read a new art book. I admit to going overboard on this one. I love reading books in all sorts of media, looking at the shapes and colors in the images, poring over the process for a new trick.
- Take a workshop. Try something just for fun. Give yourself permission to play and not think about the product.
- Challenge yourself. Many artists love group challenges, but this can be a personal challenge as well. Work with a color you hate; do five similar pieces side by side with variation; work as fast as possible to silence the critic...
- Play music that inspires you in the studio in your home or car. Especially if you have a routine, this can get your brain to that place of saying "time for art."
- Immerse yourself. Carve out a big block of time: turn off the phone, send the kids off with your spouse, lay in a stock of no-cook food, and vow to do nothing but art for the duration.
- Remember why you do art in the first place! Our well-being depends upon it!
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