Preparing for a more Productive and Artistic Winter

I was fortunate to get out this weekend to enjoy the crisp mountain air as the leaves turned gold in the high country. It was a beautiful weekend with my sister who had come from out of town, and as the sun set and the air turned cold, I was reminded that shorter days are just around the corner. While I don’t anticipate nightfall coming earlier, I am also reminded of the good things that happen during the shorter days of winter. Without so much to do outdoors, I find myself in the studio more and creativity begs to play. To prepare for a more artistic year, here are some ideas I hope to implement (and maybe you will join me) to make the most of the winter studio days.

During those morning coffee or tea times, grab a notebook and write down ideas, plan your day, or sketch out something you want to try. Having this little start to the cold mornings will kick start your studio time by providing a plan of what you want to do/try/create before you even step into your space.

Try replacing some of your social media scrolling with art exploration. Art magazines or books are a great way to read up on current artists or exhibits. By looking through books instead of online, it limits the amounts of information coming in, which can be overwhelming and paralyzing.

This winter, commit to a certain amount of time in your creative space. Just being in the space sparks creativity. Put your times on the calendar and stick to it. If you are working at a full-time job each day, you could try rewarding yourself at the end of the day with a little time in your creative space to explore.

This year, challenge yourself with a new subject or new media. Trying something new can be scary but can also open yourself up to more ideas and understanding. This year, I am committed to creating a few abstract paintings. It will be something very different for me, so I may take a class or workshop to get a better understanding of creating that way. Taking a class can also allow for creating with others and developing a camaraderie. I have made some great art friends through workshops and retreats.

Another great way to grow creatively during the winter months is by listening to podcasts or interviews with artists. I get inspired when I hear others speak about their work and how they got to where they are today. I love listening to podcasts during the dark nights when I am in my creative space working or cleaning.

If you are ready to take your creativity to the next level and turn it into a business, you might spend the long nights of winter working on a website or updating a current website. You might want to create business cards or start a social media account for your creative work. Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist, having a platform to show your process and progress is a great place to start a following. Many artists spend the winter months creating, applying, and marketing their shows, so they are ready with lots of work when exhibits begin in the spring.

Autumn is officially here, and the days are turning noticeably cooler. Why not start fall by prioritizing what is important for you and use this extra time to create work toward a specific goal. If you are overwhelmed and not sure where to start, let us know. Our community is all about supporting, uplifting, and inspiring other creatives, and we would love to help.