CREATIVE RITUALS & GETTING STARTED

I have a creative ritual. Because sometimes I don’t feel like painting. Actually, usually, I don’t feel like painting. I know many artists and makers can’t wait to get into the studio. I am the opposite. Oh, when I’m at a museum or gallery, I feel inspired to paint, but when I’m home, I get distracted. My head has too many things spinning around in it. I procrastinate – working on my website, writing this blog post, and scrolling through Instagram.

I used to draw. Before I got an iPhone. Sorry Apple, but it’s true. I have to relearn how to not get distracted and just get started. I can lock myself in my studio, and I still get distracted. So I’ve set studio hours and moved my laptop out of my art studio, so I have an office separate from where I paint. My studio contains only my art supplies. It also helps if it’s clean.

Is it just me?

I’m thinking it’s not. I love to paint, make things, draw, and write. But damn, I have a hard time getting started. Once I begin, I’m usually good to go. Creative work is hard. Sure, it’s a gift, but there’s more to it. It requires practice. Deeper thinking. It’s work. To just keep making.

Do you remember the series’ Nashville?’ It’s now on Netflix, and I’ve been watching it. In one episode, this songwriter tells another to ‘take himself away for a few days’ to write his music. So it’s not just me….

You may know I select a ‘word of the year’ to keep me focused on my goals. Last year I chose ‘ritual’ because I have difficulty transitioning between my artwork and my business. In other words, I procrastinate and can’t get started. I decided I needed a creative ritual to trigger my brain so it knew it was time to paint, write, or whatever. I would have an appealing and nurturing transition process, so I look forward to it. Once I begin painting, I’m usually good to go. In fact, I don’t always feel like stopping. But the key is to just get started. To establish a habit.

I think it might be working.

I look forward to the ritual of a candle, the tea, and my ‘painting’ playlist. Then I do warm-up exercises in my sketchbook. I still have to make myself get started, but once I do, I often find that I want to keep painting. This creative ritual doesn’t ALWAYS work, but it does make my life full and enriches the quality of my day.

10 creative rituals I’ve used to help me get started. Just don’t use them all at the same time….

Set a timer on your phone to paint for an hour.

Light a candle.

Make a cup of tea or your beverage of choice. I find the process of making it and drinking out of a pretty teacup or mug part of the ritual.

Play the same playlist each time you begin to do your creative work.

Start with warm-up paintings or sketching.

Write three pages in a journal to clear your head.

Always work in the same place in your home/studio.

If you can, turn off your phone or put it on ‘do not disturb’ at the same time each day.

Schedule creative time during the part of the day when you feel the most focused.

Make color swatches by mixing paint to match a palette you like in a magazine. I have a file full of inspiration pages I’ve torn from magazines.

Once I do get started I’m pretty prolific. Here are a few of my collections.Want to read more about creativity?