I wrote about this a bit last year, but I think it’s time to touch base again with my home made framework for creative growth. I see all the advice given to artists; these days the internet seems to be flooded with ways to make it as an artist. Something about the intensity and aggression of these sponsored posts makes me think that a far more lucrative undertaking is not actually being an artist, but being a person who tells artists what to do!
Of course I’m not immune to wanting to know these magical secrets of the successful artist. I’ve spent my own share of time researching and trying to come up with THE framework for a successful creative practice. I didn’t realize that it doesn’t matter how perfect THE framework is, I needed (and still do need) to find MY framework. Every artist does. Once I’ve learned to settle in to this realization that there are thousands of variations of what a successful creative practice looks like, I’ve enjoyed settling into the stories of all kinds of different artists and creatives. Without the illusion that they are leading the perfect creative life that I just need to copy and paste into my own algorithm, I’ve learned to absorb their stories (for example, right now I’m reading about the life of Mary Cassatt), and sift through what I can adopt into my life vs. what is not for me, at least not at this time.
All the bits and pieces of what I’ve come to adopt as my own, I’d like to share. Right now, I’m playing with the idea of my own, “Dark Matter Degree Program.” That’s what I call the phase that I’m in: after finishing my undergrad, wanting to still take on the habits that I was happy to practice in art school, or the ones that I knew I wanted to practice as an artist when I graduated.
The following is what my “Dark Matter Degree Program” consists of. It’s a weekly routine where every day has a theme. Like in school, I have my own classes, only now they are self taught. I don’ follow this perfectly, because I am also a shiftworker, so whatever day my shifts (2-3 a week) fall on, I don’t follow the Dark Matter routine that day. I do however, try to carry the essence of the day with me — even if it means just taking part in it for 30 minutes if that’s all I can afford. The next week, after having missed that day, I just jump right back in wherever I left off.
By the way, I feel that working in a “day job” is important and beneficial to me right now in my life, even for the sake of my art practice, but that is a blog for another day :)
On Monday, I start the week with art applications. The reason I jump right into this is to remind myself of where I want to go as an artist. It forces me to take my ongoing artist goals seriously. I take the time to check out any changes and opportunities in my local art scene, and then I quickly check on a few international options that might be realistic for me. Art applications are important for so many reasons. They give me the opportunity to review my work, to see what is happening around me based on what the artist calls are about. Because I find this activity a bit stressful (inducing approximately one existential crisis each Monday), my goal is to pair this with physical activity. Shaking off all the stress, I get out and go for what is the longest run of my week. Ideally, I get a good night’s rest, going to bed early so that I am ready for Tuesday.
Tuesday is my studio day! I love studio days so much! They remind me of why I’m an artist. I have different bodies of work on the go, but Tuesdays are the days when I go down to my home studio and throw myself into painting. To keep in a creative flow, I try my best to make the very most of this day. My family will know that I’m not really available for much on this day (sorry, not sorry!). Ideally, this day involves 10-12 hours of working.
Wednesday is “What to Make of This” day. This is the name of a project that I started in 2021 following the call to action for those of us privileged white folks who don’t tend to notice racism and injustice. I read or listen to a book, (like the one I just finished, The Sun Does Shine) watch the news, check out youtube videos, or listen to a podcast. While listening, I make something, usually with discarded materials such as fabric scraps. This practice generally takes 1-4 hours of my day. These subjects are heavy, so I pair this day with exercise. After completing this, I take off for a 30-40 minute run.
When I come back from my break, I spend some time in the afternoon checking out my online world. I check up on, and fix broken links on my website, upload photos, and take on administrative tasks that need attention, and upload works to my profile on Saatchi.com
Thursday is writing day. It doesn’t take much to realize that art and writing are like peanut butter and jelly. I’ve decided to take this seriously, and give some time each week to writing. I currently am reading a book on writing poetry, Finding What You Didn't Lose. I take some time to read a chapter and complete a short exercise recommended by the book. Then, I take 15 minutes to engage in a free writing exercise. After that, I take a quick break to just chill, maybe do some light chores. Then I turn my writing attention to art, and take on writing a newsletter, a blog entry (like today!) or an artist statement.
Thursday afternoons I give myself time in the studio again, working on art studies. At the moment I’m currently working on a collage study series of 100 smaller works called In/Formation.
Friday and Saturday: These are flex studio days. Depending on home/family life, and how close I am to a deadline of some kind, I get about 2-10 hours of studio time in. I try to take a video and make sure I’m sharing my progress with the amazing people on Instagram, Facebook or Tik Tok who seem to like what I’m doing in the studio. I’m a really big fan of pairing my creative work with exercise, so I try to get in another nice run in on at least one, but maybe both of these days.
Sunday: Sundays are a total rest day, I try not to do anything and especially make sure I’m not on social media, to give my brain a break!
So there you have it, the Dark Matter Degree Program weekly routine! Incrementally, each day builds on the next and slowly slowly, good and wonderful things emerge. At least that is the hope! Let’s see what will happen when I do this every week. Do you have a weekly routine? I’d love to hear about it in the comments. Do you see something in here that you would add? I’d like to know! I’m always tinkering with my schedule to see what works and what doesn’t.
Ah so I bet you figured out that it’s Thursday—writing day. Now for a quick break, and then on to those collages!