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What does an artist do all week? Well, there’s networking, bookkeeping, marketing, deliveries, teaching, framing, ordering supplies, and oh yes, time in the studio.  Ask any artist and she or he will tell you, every time, that this last thing is what makes all the rest worthwhile. 

We plan our time in the studio for when we’re most alert, awake, and energetic—because painting demands the very best of us.   We instinctively know when we’re best in the studio, and ideally, we plan our days around maximizing that peak creative time.  A recent bout with chronic hives--which has maddeningly sapped my concentration--has made me appreciate just how important my physical and mental focus are to creative output. 

Not just physical illness, but any big life change often brings with it a lull or a fallow period in even the most active and devoted artist’s practice--a big move, an emotional setback, a family crisis, a job stress can all slow or stop creative production.  Just like an athlete, an artist can’t expect to perform every day at peak levels if she’s not in top condition, for whatever reason.  Creative energy must be nurtured and guarded, and given time to rest when life gets in the way.  

I’m taking advantage of this time I’m missing at the easel to get my business house in order—digging into ArtworkArchive.com, the artwork tracking software I discovered (check out this blog:https://heatherarenas.com/blog/112397/the-tricky-business-of-art.)  I’m making travel arrangements for future workshops, doing some writing and generally getting organized. 

While all these tasks demand some focus, they pale in comparison to standing in front of my easel. 

I am fascinated by how the human mind creates, and what it needs while doing so.  My own artistic process comes in several phases.  I’ve discovered that while drawing and designing, I can't speak or listen to anything or anyone—both left and right sides of the brain are equally occupied.

Once my thumbnail or notan is finished, and I’m ready to paint, I draw on the intuitive (left) side of my brain, and I find I need to occupy the thinking (right) side of my brain—usually by listening to a book or a podcast.  If I don’t, my mind starts to distract me with too many thoughts, which can disrupt the painting process.   So once my plan is in place, I want intuition and instinct to take over—I don’t want to overthink.

This ability--need, even--to listen to a narrative (a book on tape or podcast) while painting, may explain why I enjoy talking and painting at the same time while I do demonstrations, a phenomenon which I’ve heard many artists say they have a hard time with.  I enjoy articulating my process out loud, except while I'm drawing, which seems to require the same skills as language and renders me absolutely mute, every time.  I have taken a few of those left brain/right brain tests and usually score about even for both sides.  

6 x 12 Back from Great Point Light 

This is a small class demo I did a few weeks ago.  I include it because I've been 'itching' (pardon the pun) to paint a really large version of this, six times as big.  I will--I just haven't yet been able to gather the focus and energy.

Getting to know how my particular brain works best--what will best help my creative process, has definitely made my own artmaking life more enjoyable and productive.  Understanding my high and low creative points each day or over longer periods, I have become more patient with myself.  There is always something to do, and the trick is just to figure out what you'll be best at at any one particular time.  Take care of business when you need to, and let your creative mind soar when it can.  

I don't mean to suggest one should only go into the studio when the 'muse' strikes--for me it's an everyday necessity, not only professionally but artistically it is something I want and need to do every day.  But this recent illness has given me a new respect for the great amount of mental and physical energy that the creative process demands.  When well, one should do it every day--to maintain good creative conditioning and allow those wonderful occasional high points to happen.  

I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences with the creative process.  What is your most productive time of day?  Have you developed a natural routine to maximize your highly creative time?  What, if anything, do you listen to while you paint?