It is all about the "D" word

Every artist knows there is the fun part of being an artist and then there is the other part...that is administrative or marketing part.  I want to talk about the not-so-fun part.  I read recently, we should spend 20% of our time creating artwork?  It is true I spend a lot of time on social media, commenting and liking artwork as well as thanking those who like and comment on my artwork.  And there are all those hash tags!   This takes time... lots of it.  There is the bookkeeping thing.  Does anyone ever enjoy data entry?  Calendars, emails, marketing materials, website maintenance, social media maintenance, phone calls, shows, submissions, study time, class prep, teaching, newsletters, thank you's, cleaning brushes, preparing canvases... I know I'm leaving something out; oh, and blogs-  I noticed my last blog was a year ago!  I am told this is not enough; I need to do videos.  I need to add YouTube to the list!  But let's not lose hope.

At the end of the day (or the beginning), I need to squeeze in art time.  So what is wrong with this picture?  Well, I am burned out on drudge and have no creative energy!  Thinking it through, I realize I can get more organized if I actually plan out my time so that I have adequate art time, bearing in mind that the smallest chunk of time goes to the art.  My approach is to create large blocks of time for large pieces of art.  This is precarious if I am working more than one large project that I really want to finish.  Being an oil painter requires drying time, so that is a plus, and I squeeze daily quick studies in so that I stay warmed up.  If I go to the gym once a week, it isn't enough; and painting doesn't work that way either.  So if I do about an hour to two hours of sketching or planning a painting, about 20% of my day is art!  Ok.  I could include teaching in "art time" but unless I am selling the demo, I am not sure it counts.  What about that large commission or that body of work being prepared for the gallery?

I've already allocated daily 'quick study" time.  If I am working on a forty hour work week, and I want to work steadily, I can select any block or blocks that come up to about 8 hours a week.  Being fairly simple minded, this is a formula I can live with.  I am self employed, so have some flexibility, as long as messing with the timetable doesn't interfere with other obligations.  Like any job, there are always going to be parts we just aren't going to want to do.  Like any other job, I'm not going to want to work overtime without pay, either!

With a just one day of analysis, I can see where I am spending time and whether this time is well spent.  Oh, and by the way, I am adding in procrastination time.  It is my position every artist needs to procrastinate a bit.  But how much is too much?  When does your social media time become procrastination?  Have you been staring at that little rectangular flat object for more than 35 minutes?  How many times have you picked up your iphone in the past 2 hours?  Have you found yourself organizing your paintbrushes by size and then by brand?  How many times have you checked your email? Factor in time to walk the dog during a break, rather than an excuse to not start (or finish) your work.

While I am not making enough income to hire an employee to do the drudgery, I can ask for help.  Here's a thought:  Contact your local high school and see if there is a student who might be interested in interning with you.  An art student will find time spent learning the back end of the art business to be very valuable and you might be rewarded with more than time!

At the end of the day, I don't want to do anything else, and the 20% of my time that I paint is worth it for me.  When I find a new home for a painting, there isn't a better feeling.  I need to manage time with creativity and  then stick to a schedule.  Giving myself permission to mix it up is okay.  It is all about the "D" word:  DISCIPLINE aka how-I-find-the-time