What did you make this year?
What I learned from my art practice
There were a lot of things I wanted to do this year. My list was way too long. I saw that a lot of artists pick a word to be a sort of guiding light for the year. I loved that. I love all those things one might refer to as “woo woo.” But you know, there is some magic in the WOO. It is the intention behind it. The focus upon it. A reminder when your day begins to unfurl, what is most important.
I was on one of my morning walks in search for inspiration last January and I found a tiny piece of wood on the sidewalk with a nail sticking out of it. I came home and painted it with my word, “Intuit” and used the nail as a little kickstand. For me, learning how to listen to my voice again was the first step in finding what it was I wanted to make in the first place. I just didn’t want to do art, I wanted to find my art.
I did create a lot of art this past year. When I went to post my art vs. artist on Instagram, I looked over all of it and picked some that I just had to make. Pieces that seemed to flow and come together without much effort - but delight. It is the place you find in yourself that is so present and everything else falls away. That creative force you tap into and hope you never lose. But the secret is, you have to show up for it. You have to sit down and practice. That is why this year, my word is “Practice.” Because as long as I have my practice, I will find my calm and discover where my art will take me.
These are the things I learned this year in my art practice:
🌿 I will never do enough. I will always have to fight overwhelm. I think creatives are flooded with ideas they want to explore. As the wonderful writer Anne Lamott has written, take it “Bird by Bird.” It is like being in a car at night, you can just see the bit of road in front of you lit up by the headlights. Focus on the drive today.
🌿 I am always lured to join art challenges on Instagram. And feel guilty sometimes setting aside the things I’m supposed to be working on. But I end up creating art I would have never made. I’ve found multiple licensing deals just from posting my work. Just from taking the time to play. Always take time to play.
🌿 The biggest gift of my art practice is the calm it brings me. It is something I will always have. It is a path of discovery I look forward to for the rest of my days.
🌿 Take every opportunity the universe presents to you. You tell yourself you are ready, no one else does. You are your own gatekeeper. Share your art.
🌿 Finding your community is everything. There are so many amazing artists I’ve met through online artist’s communities. I am thankful for every one of you.
I look forward to next year and seeing what these squares might reveal in 2024. Because just last year, I really didn’t feel good enough to make a grid. I just admired all those who did. We are all at some stage of creating. There is always someone behind us and ahead of us. But no one is on the same path or will create the same art. I absolutely love not knowing what the next year will bring. But I’m very excited to find out. ✨
Just changing your space can open up new inspiration. Every year after Christmas we deep clean everything, pack up boxes for donation, and I think about how I want to begin my new year. I like new beginnings. I also love being outside at night and looking up at stars. It is so peaceful and vast. This Christmas I bought myself a present. It is a tiny contraption that projects a galaxy of stars and transitioning colors upon my ceiling. I put it in the corner of my room where I do all my creating. I get up early before everyone else so I can write. I turn on these stars and it feels magical. I even caught my daughter dancing around under them while listening to her music with her headphones on last night. A little bit of change in lighting can make everything feel new again.
I’ve always enjoyed the process of making New Year’s resolutions. But as I have gotten older, it is less rigid goals and more about being present and enjoying the process of discovering new things. Sometimes we really don’t allow ourselves to explore outside of what we know. Or allow ourselves to recognize our own growth. I read The Isolation Journals with Suleika Jaouad and she posted The Fives List. I found this a really thoughtful end of year journaling exercise. She posts many thoughtful prompts throughout the year.
I find my biggest wish is to be present each day. To resist overwhelm and overworking myself. To take time each morning to sit and enjoy the silence. And at night put on my favorite mix and dance. Because we don’t have control over what is around the corner. Sometimes I forget how much music and dance can free you. Just like an art practice can.
Wishing you all a year full of magic. Thank you for taking the time to read my words.
Kim