There are two points I’d like to make about creative practice.
1. everyone’s is different, and
2. because everyone’s is different that means you can’t do it ‘wrong’.
Oh, and
3. it’s ever evolving, just like you. 🙂
Oh, and also
4. I’m not the creative practice guru, just a person with a perspective borne of experience that may be of use to you.
So that’s not two points. I’m an artist, not a mathematician. {Clearly.} 😉
I’m the first to admit that my definition of ‘creative practice’ doesn’t look like what you might consider the ‘true meaning’ of the term.
I think that makes me especially qualified to talk about this, because not everyone is built to go the ‘same time, same way, every day’ approach.
I like to think that what I lack in consistency – of action, style and subject – I make up for in motivated curiosity and wild enthusiasm.
Practice doesn’t have to mean sameness or even regularity.
It’s your practice, you decide.
That said, there are things I do that when combined constitute a creative practice, because I am creative every day in some way.
I thought I’d share them with you, kind of like a creative practice buffet, so you can choose what you like the look of and play around with it for yourself.
Even if you already have a system, there’s nothing to say you can’t experiment.
I am all in favour of the mix and match approach; one size never fits all.
So here we go ~ a few practical ideas and angles to think about to help you build your own practice, one that suits who you are, not who you think you should be.
{I’d like to add that round here there is a definite art focus, but these points can be applied to any creative area.}
1 | making a space
By which I mean both literally and figuratively.
You don’t have to have a full on studio – a corner of a room will do, a small table or basket of goodies you can pull out whenever you like/can.
Also a space in yourself and in your life, where you acknowledge this part of you and encourage it to blossom.
2 | designating a time
I’m not gonna lie – I never do this; it causes instant resistance in me.
However I’m aware that many people have non-negotiable structures built into their lives, like work hours, childcare and so on, so having a specific time or times for creating can be useful.
Especially if you write them into a calendar as though they were a date with someone you care about. {Which they are.}
3 | having the basics out and ready at all times if poss
Makes it so much easier if you don’t have to clear up and lay things out each time.
If you can’t leave things out, at least have a container for all of it so that it’s just a case of pulling it out when you’re ready and dumping it all back in when you’re done.
Anything that will make the process easier is a win.
4 | create a ritual
I love this idea and usually forget, although preparing my materials is much the same thing.
But something as simple as lighting a candle, making a cup of tea or setting an intention before beginning can create an energetic space you learn to associate with creating.
Something to begin and to close it would bracket it nicely.
5 | letting it be simple
I know I’m not alone in over complicating things that really could be very simple.
The more you allow it all to be simple – from ideas to process to materials – the easier it is to actually do it, as opposed to just thinking and talking about it as something you’d love to do in the future.
{The one that never comes.}
6 | letting it not matter
This is not the same as the process not being meaningful.
It can be as meaningful as you choose to make it, but as soon as you put importance on it, it begins to calcify and that causes resistance, which leads to procrastination.
Let it just be the thing you’re doing right now, no grand expectations or life changing meanings attached.
7 | commit but be kind
Even if you’re not consistent, you can still be committed.
Committed to yourself and your own wellbeing, committed to taking action, to practising, to honing your craft, whatever you like.
You could affirm your commitment as part of your opening ritual.
Try not to let commitment become solid though, as like importance, it can without awareness become a barrier to actually doing the thing we want to do.
8 | keep an open mind
Let it be what it wants to be, especially if you don’t feel you have any marvellous ideas or sparks of inspiration.
See how soft you can be approaching your materials, how little need you can have for it to result in something ‘good’ or even something you like.
See what happens when you play with it from an angle of curiosity rather than planning or even desire.
Do you have a creative practice? Do you find it restricts you or sets you free? What one thing could you do next time you go to make something to make it easier to develop a habit of it?
Lovely post Tara – I especially liked the intro and disclaimers.
I rather resist even the phrase creative practice as it sounds like long ago piano practice to me… but I have committed to painting every day, whether big or little , acrylic or water colour doodles. I have a wicker basket and I put in a bottle of water, a little snack and any current doodles/moodboards and head off up to my studio. Put my music on and pick something to start on . Sometimes I stay for a long time, sometimes only an hour .Although I hadn’t realised it until writing it down, my fixed thing is that I prep my little basket and go up.
Haha Rhiannon – that made me laugh about the disclaimers! 🙂 Also – GENIUS idea to pack yourself a kind of ‘art picnic’ {snacks are key!} and having a specified basket. That speaks to me of a the perfect simple little ritual to make it more fun and enticing. Congratulations on doing something every day! Music is another great way to set the mood. Sounds like you’ve found the combination of small elements that works perfectly for you.
Good point also about the term ‘creative practice’. I suspect the ‘practice’ part could poke at many of us. It’s not a word that conjures wild joy and excitement usually! I think the key is in making it have a meaning that works for each of us individually.
I am coming back to creative practice being a part of my every day life. For the past almost two years, I have had to rely on spurts of time … like a drowning woman breaking through the surface and gasping for just enough air. I am finally able to see a way forward that I am intentionally nurturing myself … my body, my spirit, my creativity … thank you for permission, for grace, to reminders.
Cynthia I’ve spoken with others about this way of finding pockets of time and you so eloquently describe it with the analogy of drowning. In one sense it sounds dramatic, but in another it’s the perfect description of what it can begin to feel like if we don’t take that time to take care of ourselves, whatever form it takes. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Wishing you ever expanding time!
Hi Tara
I have recently been receiving your emails and must compliment you on your writing and your ideas. I have qualified as an Art Therapist (at the age of 64!) and am also an artist (sort of) and so much of your language is ‘art therapy’ language. We seem to be informed by the same attitudes and approaches to art. I seem to always paint one good painting followed by two terrible ones and have just come to accept it. I tear or cut up my flops and transform them into something else. Nothing gets thrown away until it’s been recycled (often not successfully). But it’s the PROCESS that is so satisfying and I have come to terms with that being enough. I look forward to reading more of your great ideas – especially regarding the lack of inspiration. I have used some of your tips and they got me moving again. Thanks for going to all the effort of sharing your knowledge and experience in plain, uncomplicated language!
Regards
Marilyn Rabinowitz
Hi Marilyn – welcome! Thank you so much for the kind words. Although I’m not an art therapist I guess the principles of connection and expression are similar. I do believe we can love both the process AND the outcome, but like you am deeply fascinated by the process part! So happy to hear what I’ve written has been useful to you!
Hi Tara,
Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and interesting ideas to get creating in such a chatty way. Although I have been painting for many years and taught for fifteen, I still need nudges to get going. I do try to paint every afternoon and my practice is to go to my “studio” (third bedroom) and put my apron on, get my paints etc ready, put music on (whatever suits the mood I am in) and think, as I always paint from memory and imagination. Sometimes it works and other times I really have to struggle to achieve a satisfying result. But it is the process which is so satisfying and absolutely absorbing. I used to paint in watercolour and any paintings that really failed were torn up and used as collage material in another painting or drawing, which then led onto other inspiration.
Carry on sharing your ideas with us and thank you.
Hi Sheila – thank you for stopping by! I remember we met a few years ago at the Brighton Art Fair I think? I’ve been a long time fan of your work! I absolutely agree with you that the process is where the interesting experiences lie. Thank you for the kind words!