5 Art Tips for 2021 [Learned During 2020]
Stay positive. 2020 was a challenging year. One that bought as many gifts as it did hardships. The world was shaken up exposing areas in which we all needed change. Being positive minded through it all was one of the things that helped me during tough times. Healthy optimism is not thinking everything is fine when the world is burning, which did happen a few times. It is knowing that the current hardship will not last forever. It will take practice but in time having a positive outlook on life will come naturally. No rose colored glasses required.
Establish a routine for practice. At the height of confusion during the early days of the pandemic, I needed to create some structure for myself. My solution was to set up a station to create my artwork that was clean as possible, task focused, and easy to come back to. Each person's practice routine and space will be different depending on the task at hand. For example. I prefer to work late at night on paintings and drawings versus the daytime when I have virtual meetings and other daily tasks to complete. However, if I'm working on something that will be loud or require hazardous materials, I shift my schedule accordingly. Think about your goals then create a dedicated space, schedule, and creation process that will help you to be productive and creative while establishing a healthy boundary between work and personal life.
Do at least one experimental piece a week. New materials are the perfect way to transition into experimenting within your work. Learning how materials interact with each other is part of the creative process that every artistic person should embark on with vigor and an open mind. A few materials that have made their presence felt in my arsenal this year have been washi tape, epoxy resin, and watercolor. Before all of this, I didn't realize how much I would enjoy using washi tape! For those that don’t know its a nice soft alternative to masking tape and easy to use on paper. I have used it to fill in for textures and patterns of a character’s clothing, made borders on smaller paintings on paper, and I'm learning new ways to use it all the time. This material wasn’t something in my usual toolkit but it has definitely earned a spot. Epoxy resin is one of the most interesting materials I’ve come across in my artistic career. Simply put, two chemicals are joined to create a hard transparent clear plastic like material . Depending on your application it can create a variety of objects. Watercolor is a very free-flowing material that with time can be use to mystify even the hardest art critic’s heart. The process of layering the pigment is reminiscent of a meditative experience such as taking a hike up a mountain or doing tai-chi in the park. It’s a material that always relaxes me as I’m using it. If you find yourself needing to slow down for a moment of calm, this material could be right for you. So if there's a material you want to try, just go for it! These are only a few that I found and there are so many discoveries to be made!
Make health a top priority. The older I get the more I realize how much I have been taking my health for granted. Being able to move properly without the use of an outside aid is a huge blessing for not only an artist but for everyone. These bodies of ours bless us by being the best they can based on what we put into them and how we treat them. Therefore we should give our bodies what they require like nutritious foods, water, vitamins, exercise, and rest while limiting hurtful habits such as alcohol and cigarettes. Moderation is the key. Too many people are putting their health at risk by overworking themselves and I'm definitely guilty of this too. This year make your health, which is your greatest resource outside of time, number one on your list of priorities. If you’re having trouble on getting started with creating new health habits or developing a rountine, I suggest scheduling a consultation with Amber Stewart of THE STEW PROJECT. As a certified Health Coach, Life Coach, and Exercise Physiologist, Amber offers personalized meal plans, mental health guidance, and exercise routines that will empower you to reach your fitness goals. I have personally witnessed Amber's fitness journey over the years and can confidently say that following her guidance will get you to your ideal healthy self.
Be kind to others and contribute to their growth. Without the support of the pack lone wolves die in the wild. Humans aren’t much different from these creatures because our support groups, family, and friend circles play a critical role in our development. A huge part of why I am an artist today has been due to friends I've made along my personal journey. None of us would be where we are without the people in our lives and I believe that when we find ways to contribute to the growth and well being of others, we in turn are allowed to grow in significant ways that we may not even notice. Small acts of kindness can change the trajectory of a person’s life. Best of all, it’s free. Seek out ways to help others to realize something about themselves or about life that they didn’t notice before. You can do it, I believe in you.
Bonus Tip!
*Track your growth over time. Every now and then, make time to look back at the work you have created over the course of a month, week, or year. What you will find is that the latest piece of work you have created is vastly different from the very first. Congratulations! You are growing! Often we can get so lost in the adventure of what we are doing or down on ourselves for not being where we think we should be in the moment that we forget to reflect on the journey. Schedule it if you have to but make sure to praise yourself for the steps you have made!
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. I really appreciate it and hope it brought you something valuable. If you have any questions please leave a comment below.
Have a wonderful day!
-Justin