Showing Up : How to Stay Consistent with your Art practice

Showing Up : Staying consistent with your Art practice

I've never kept a sketchbook. The piles of half used books would show you of my failed attempts. I know the benefits of keeping one -which is the same as most things you keep consistent with - you get better. Although I'm an avid journaler, keeping a drawing practice in the same way has never been easy for me.  It's deeper than I thought. Sketchbooks to me equaled leaning into the practice of creating for the sake of creating. 

I am often way too attached to the end goal.

Getting back to creating for the love of it has been a desire of mine this year. In May, I had a fabulous idea to help me get started. I bought a Strathmore Mixed Media wired book to use for my new journal. The only rules: journal and draw every few entries.  It's September and we are almost complete with it. I didn't sketch, draw, or paint every day - but I did keep showing up in it and some beautiful things came from that. 

3 lessons I've learned as I try to be consistent in art ..

1. Don't be afraid to forge your own way.

Sometimes you will need to come up with your own way of doing the thing you really want to do. I tried to do it like others with little to no success, but when I decided to do it in my own way with both journaling and drawing it really pushed me forward. This mindset also helps me when it comes to working out and eating healthy - It's great to take tips, but I have to make each journey my own. 

2. Each day will look different. Embrace it.

Some days all I wanted to do was write and others were filled with drawing. That's okay. For me, any progress was good. We're not comparing ourselves.  Just like life changes each day - so will your practice of whatever you're going after. Use whatever you have (joy, pain) to inspire you and appreciate the time (even if limited) you get to lean into it.

3. Just show up.

I didn't understand the power in just showing up. The hard part was just getting to the desk to do it. The more I showed up and sat there, the easier it became. Before I knew it - after journaling I was easily creating something - from little corner doodles to full page illustrations.

I am sure there is more that will come to me as I continue on this journey. I hope this can encourage you to jump in, try new things, take risks, and don’t be afraid of showing up and going in your own way. And if you decide to try this route with your practice, I’d love to hear how it worked out for you!

What has been your relationship with consistency? With sketchbooks? What has helped you?