... if you don't practice!
I
am getting back into Zumba. I am not naturally prone to keeping a regiment of
exercise and have just started back. I
am amazed at how the participants in the Zumba class are learning the moves and
“keeping” up with the instructor. I am in the back of the class by choice with
a few others who are looking less coordinated.
I noticed that the people up front are “with it” knowing the next move
and making the moves well. Hummm…. I wonder if attending regularly and practicing
has anything to do with it?
This
applies to being an artist as well. I had the opportunity to travel and teach a
lot of artists in Idaho, Oregon and California. I hear a lot of excuses as to
why artists don’t paint. Recently at a speaking engagement I asked attendees if
they felt they were painting as much as they would like. Out of 20 artists only
3 said they paint often. This was a high
skill level group, yet they claimed a low amount of painting time. I also asked
other groups recently and same response.
Here are a few of the excuses…(these sound the same as the reasons I
don’t exercise…)
Not
in any special order, a few excuses:
1. Not enough time
2. Too many other
responsibilities
3. I have nothing started
4. No inspiration
5. I am not a self starter
6. Run out of energy
7. Not organized
8. Afraid of failure
9. Have other interests
10. Easily distracted
Of
course there are more……
A
couple of suggestions if you want to improve…your moves:
1. Make painting a priority-set
goals
2. Know your best time of
working
3. Set studio hours
4. Enroll in a group or a
class
5. Do a painting just for
educational fun
6. Don’t compare to
others…see your style as individual
7. Get a painting
started
8. Leave a painting out to
work on
9. Don’t wait for
inspiration…paint; inspiration happens
10. Know the best time for
your best energy, creative time 11. Politely request friends
and family respect your studio time
12. Remove distractions from
your work zone
Now
is the time to develop a few good habits so in 2016 you can feel more creative
juices flowing. Know the moves and
practice them….keep painting.
Linda
Linda is an artist and instructor who lives in
Star and teaches in her studio. She also teaches in other locations in Idaho,
Oregon and Washington. You can visit her website at www.amanarts.com or email linda@amanarts.com for more information. Blog www.lindaaman.blogspot.com