Find that time and work through that feeling of doubt

This period of time in history is fraught with anxieties, hardships and change but it can be hard to make and create art with any conditions in any given period.

Where do I find the time?
Am I good enough to bother?
Do I have the creative energy?

No matter what world conditions or issues I face I am often plagued by those questions. Being inspired by others and learning how others overcome their doubts and time constraints are some of the benefits of being part of a creative group like the Armadale Society of Artists, (ASA).

In an article by Meggan Fraiser (Finding Time to Create When Life is Full) she maintains that time isn’t found, it’s created. By you.

“The track we think we must follow—wake, work, hustle, feed, bed—is a track of our own creation. Only ours.”

She becomes a bit metaphysical in the article as she explores time as a construct but what I take from the article is that you make some kind of pocket reality in your daily life as important as dinner for creating. I did try it. But life got in the way, or maybe I let it.

What really seemed to make me create was having a reason.

Motivation; is it really connected to doubt or self worth? I told myself that I wanted to create, regardless of what anyone thinks but I still didn’t make my scheduled time work. Reading around the issue I found this article on the polygon academy website 8 Tips For Artists Struggling with Motivation and I love what Tim Simpson says about the difference between professional and amateur artists

“They simply work even when they are "not feeling it" and push through that mental resistance. That’s it.”

In not so polite terms he explains that waiting for motivation is a farce. It was a matter of making art my job.  Shifting my thinking to making it my work as opposed to a hobby, or something I did ‘on the side’ made a difference to me. It also fits in with my own created track of work before play. It doesn’t matter if work is play.

Creating a tangible goal that is not just for me, that involves some outside influence keeps me accountable is my way of creating on a more regular basis. Winning competitions or selling art work can be a huge acknowledgement of worth as an artist and a great motivator too, but simply being part of a group of like-minded individuals and being inspired by their efforts makes me remember the joy I have in creating. Remembering the joy of creating gives me the energy to create.

With all my heart I thank you members of the ASA for keeping me going!