Creative Rituals: Building Your Daily Art Practice
It’s March! We’re on the cusp of spring—a season synonymous with renewal and fresh beginnings. After recovering from the holidays in January and the often dreary, short days of February, March offers a breath of fresh air and a perfect opportunity to reassess our goals and recommit to our creative practice. The longer days and budding trees and flowers outside naturally inspire us. When I’m out walking each day, I marvel at the new buds and explosion of colors that surround me.
My Morning Routine: Setting the Tone for Creativity
I believe that how we start our day profoundly impacts how we feel throughout the day. Here's a glimpse into my morning routine:
Hydration: I begin with a glass of water to rehydrate and invigorate my body.
Morning Walk: A 30-45 minute walk not only helps me wake up but also ensures I meet my daily step goal. This time allows my mind to wander, often sparking new ideas.
Sketching Session: Back home, I sit at my kitchen table with a cup of coffee and my sketchbook. I use Canon 7 by 10 inch mixed media sketchbooks because the paper is heavy enough that my black fine liner sketches don’t bleed through. Setting a 15-minute timer on my phone, I immerse myself in doodling and sketching. For these sessions, I love using Molotow fine liners. Their 11-pack offers a range of line weights, allowing me to add depth and variation to my work. If you're interested, you can check them out here.
Preparation for the Day: After sketching, I shower, dress, and feel ready to tackle the day's tasks.
This routine not only grounds me but also ensures that I've dedicated time to my art before the day's demands take over.
The Importance of Creative Rituals
Creative rituals help us in many ways by providing structure and forcing us to take our creativity more seriously. Your morning routine acts as an anchor, or trigger, to keep your art habit alive.
Julia Cameron's Morning Pages: A Pathway to Creativity
It’s highly likely that you’ve heard of Julia Cameron, author of The Artist's Way. This is a book I return to again and again when I need a little boost. One of her foundational practices is "Morning Pages," which involves writing three pages of longhand, stream-of-consciousness thoughts first thing every morning. This exercise is designed to unlock creativity and clear mental clutter. Cameron describes it as “spiritual windshield wipers”, clearing the mind for the day ahead.
The act of writing without judgment allows for a free flow of your thoughts. The pages are not meant to represent anything other than clearing your mind but sometimes a great idea pops up!
Examples of The Variety Found in Creative Rituals
Exploring the routines of other artists can offer inspiration for our own practices. Here are a few notable examples I pulled from a great article in Artsy.net.
Balthus: The French painter would begin his day around 9:30 a.m. with breakfast, followed by reading his mail. He would then assess the quality of sunlight to decide whether to paint that day, emphasizing the importance of natural light in his creative process.
Louise Bourgeois: Known for her habitual nature, Bourgeois started her mornings with a cup of tea accompanied by jelly straight from the jar. This simple ritual provided a sugar boost, energizing her for the day's work. Her assistant would then drive her to her Brooklyn studio, where she immersed herself in her art.
Robert Rauschenberg: The American artist began his day with a healthy breakfast and a potent espresso to kick-start his creativity. This routine underscores the significance of nourishing the body to fuel the mind.
These examples highlight that rituals don't have to be elaborate; even simple, consistent actions can set the stage for creativity.
Building Your Own Daily Art Practice
Establishing a daily art practice doesn't have to be daunting. Here are some steps to guide you:
Start Small: Commit to just 10 minutes a day. The key is consistency over duration.
Choose a Specific Time: Whether it's morning, during lunch, or before bed, find a time that suits you and stick to it.
Create a Dedicated Space: Set up a comfortable and inspiring area for your art-making.
Use Prompts: If you're unsure where to start, daily drawing prompts can provide direction and spark ideas.
Reflect and Adapt: Regularly assess your routine. If something isn't working, adjust it to better suit your needs.
Overcoming Common Challenges
Every artist faces challenges in maintaining a daily practice. Here are some common obstacles and how to address them:
Lack of Time: Integrate art into your existing routines. For example, sketch during your commute or while waiting for appointments.
Self-Doubt: Remember, the goal is the process, not perfection. Embrace imperfections as part of your growth.
Boredom: Vary your mediums or subjects to keep things fresh and interesting.
Community Engagement
I would love to hear about your creative rituals! Join me for my weekly LIVESTREAM on Facebook or YouTube on Wednesday at noon PT which is 3pm ET. Let's support and inspire each other by sharing our morning routines or creative rituals.
Upcoming in Anne’s Atelier
Are you looking for a supportive community and additional support in your creative practice? Consider joining my creative membership, Anne’s Atelier. Here's what's lined up for March:
Goal Setting Session on Zoom: We kick off the month by sharing our artistic goals for the month. Saying them out loud makes it more likely we’ll follow through. And the community is there to help you stay on track.
Student Interview: Gain insights and inspiration from like-minded creatives. In March, surface pattern designer Shalini Ayre, joins us and describes how she has added freelance work to her creative practice.
New Illustrator Training: Building upon our skills and learning new aspects of this powerful program is essential. In March, the Illustrator training covers geometric patterns in the Art Deco style. So much fun!
Monthly Q&A: We wrap up the month with an open forum on zoom to address your questions and share wins and celebrate our accomplishments.
Learn more about Anne’s Atelier here: https://members.artwithanne.com/membership
Final Thoughts
Incorporating creative rituals into your daily life can profoundly impact your artistic growth and overall well-being. By dedicating even a small portion of your day to art, you nurture your creativity and set the foundation for continuous improvement.
Happy creating!
xo,
Anne
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It’s Never Too Late to Create®
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MEET ANNE
Hi…I’m Anne!
My creative inspiration comes from a lifetime of observation. I grew up in Paris on the Place St. Sulpice and walked to school through the Luxembourg gardens. And that was only the beginning… Learn more by watching the video on my About page.
