Ynotartblog's Blog

As a teacher, it is true that there is always one more thing to do. And so, a wall of reasons to not have time for art can imperiously blockade my creative impulses. However, let me be honest, I put up those walls. I can be a whiner. I am the one that moans: “I am too tired…I don’t have time…”, etc. If I am to do more art, I need to make a bigger effort to organize my creative time.

With one eye on the fast-approaching beginning of the school year, I came up with one idea: instead of completing each work, i.e., pasting the cutout pieces, I could complete a couple of works and leave the final step to be done once school begins. That would give me a head start. Happily I finished one yesterday after the first week of school and will start on the other.

Yes, I can fit in more art time and devote time to being a good teacher too. Blogging is also helping me stay connected.

It’s important for me to establish set times and, as choreographer Twyla Tharp points out in her book “The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It For Life: A Practical Guide,” create rituals to make my life more about art. Here’s a quote from her book about making good creative work habits:

The routine is as much a part of the creative process as the lightning bolt of inspiration (perhaps more). And it is available to everyone. If creativity is a habit, then the best creativity is a result of good work habits. They are the nuts and bolts of dreaming.