Finding the Time

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Nov 1, 2001

One of the hardest parts about being an artist of any type is that most of us have day jobs. We have other responsibilities. Kids to feed, paperwork to do, houses to clean, commutes to deal with. The demands on our time can be legendary, and fitting in some extra time for such a seemingly self-indulgent activity as making Art is consistently low on the list of priorities.

If you're feeling this way, first let me tell you this: You are not alone. Though making artistamps (or painting or collaging or sculpting, etc., etc., ad infinitum...) may be your passion, the demands of the "real world" are on every single artist out there, especially if you're not making any money from your work.

So what to do about it? How can you juggle all of your demands and still find the time to make your art? Good question. Here's how I've been dealing with that very question myself, and some tips on fitting art into your ever-growing list of priorities.

1. First and foremost, you need to realize that your art IS a priority. Too many times, we listen to those who would tell us that art is essentially useless. It doesn't serve any function, and if you're not selling it, it's not even profitable, and may even COST you money to produce stamp issues that people may very well just throw away if they don't understand it. Let me tell you right here and right now to tell those people (and your own guilt-ridden conscience) to shut up. Forcefully. Art, whether those people know it or not, makes the world go 'round. It gives you and outlet and a voice in a world that is increasingly likely to not listen when you have something to say. Anything that gives you an outlet and a voice is worthwhile, and nobody -- and I mean NOBODY -- has the right to take that away from you. Not even yourself. Make your art a priority in your life. Leave it on the To Do list, and schedule yourself a few minutes here and there if you can.

2. If you simply can -not- schedule a half-hour a week for you and your art to become reaquainted, do this: put some small collage elements, some colored pencils or crayons, some paper, and a small glue-stick in a bag. Stick that bag in your briefcase, backpack, purse or pocket and carry them with you AT ALL TIMES. When you have five minutes to wait for your food at the take-out line or in a doctor's waiting room, crack open that bag and sketch, draw, collage, or otherwise create. Even if what you come up with won't ever make it to the scanner or to a stamp sheet, you'll be doing -something- with your art. Those "mistakes" are valuable, and there's always a shot that something incredible will come out of your waiting-room art foray.

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