From Pajamas to Picasso: Time Management Guide for Artists
It’s me in my first year as an working from home artist, sitting in my booth at the night art market in New Orleans.
How I Add Structure to My Time While Working for Four Years from Home as an Artist.
Ah, the life of a work-from-home artist! The freedom to create masterpieces from the comfort of your own space, accompanied by the occasional Netflix binge and non-stop snacking.
It sounds like a dream come true, doesn't it?
But hold your paintbrushes! As a cartoon artist who has experienced the joys and challenges of working from home, I'm here to share some practical tips on adding structure to your time, all while keeping your creative juices flowing and your sense of humor intact.
I've been working from home for the past four years, and it's been a great experience, but staying productive and on track is always a massive deal for me.
My studio is divided into two parts - office | writing deck with computer and basic printer and messy painting | drawing deck with a laptop and my art printer (they are all in paint).
How many hours should an artist work?
How do I organize my day as an artist?
How to make an artist schedule?
How many hours should I draw every day?
How do artists stay organized?
What should be my daily tasks as an artist?
All of these questions were in front of me when I first started working from home.
Now my day and my working process are organized in detail.
So, let's go and see how I do it!
Rise and Shine.
Let's face it. The snooze button can be our worst enemy when we work from home. However, starting your day on the right foot is crucial.
Create a morning routine that suits your artistic soul.
Whether sipping a cup of coffee while pondering your latest project or engaging in a quick yoga session to stretch your creative muscles, find what works for you.
Remember, no matter how tempted you are to spend the entire morning in bed; masterpieces are waiting to be brought to life!
Dress to Express (and Impress).
One of the perks of working from home is the freedom to wear whatever your heart desires.
But let's be honest here folks.
Staying in your pajamas all day can quickly turn you into a grumpy, disheveled artist.
So instead, embrace the joy of dressing up in your quirky and artsy outfits.
Trust me, it sets the tone for a great day of creation, and you'll feel like the art world's trendiest muse!
The Magic of a Dedicated Workspace.
Working from home doesn't mean you can plop down your easel anywhere you like, including your cozy bed.
I've been there, done that, and ended up with paint stains on my pillowcase and panties.
Establishing a dedicated workspace boosts productivity and helps you mentally switch into work mode.
Set up a creative sanctuary where your artistic flair can flourish, free from the distractions of dirty dishes and that enticing pile of laundry.
This could be a desk in your bedroom, a corner of your living room, or even a spare room.
Make sure your workspace is well-lit and quiet.
Create a schedule and stick to it.
One of the biggest challenges of working from home for me is staying on track.
It can be easy to get sidetracked by household chores, social media, or even just the temptation to lounge in your pajamas all day.
To help you stay on track, create a detailed daily schedule and stick to it as much as possible.
Time Blocking: The Palette of Productivity.
And once again, creating art requires focus, and time blocking is the secret sauce to achieving it.
Divide your day into chunks, allocating specific time slots for different tasks.
Whether it's painting, writing, sending e-mails, brainstorming, or dealing with the dreaded administrative work, time blocking ensures that you give equal attention to each aspect of your artistic journey.
Psssttt….. Stay calm with those colorful markers; remember, they're for your schedule, not your next canvas!
My favorite snack is coffee, a sandwich with strawberry cream cheese, and citrus. Citrus makes me dance :) Photo by Julien Bachelet
Dance Breaks and Creative Snack Attacks.
When your creative energy starts to wane, it's time for a dance party!
So blast your favorite tunes, bust out some groovy moves, and let the rhythm revive your artistic spirit.
And while we're on revival, remember to nourish your body with delicious snacks.
Creative ideas can come from unexpected places, including a perfectly timed popcorn moment or an avant-garde sandwich creation.
Just don't let your snacks steal the spotlight from your artwork!
Taking breaks throughout the day is essential.
Get up and move around every 20-30 minutes to avoid getting stiff and sore.
You can also use your breaks to check your email and social media or relax and clear your head.
Find Your Pomodoro Power Hour.
Ah, the Pomodoro Technique, a time management marvel invented by Francesco Cirillo.
Set a timer for 25 minutes, work diligently on your art, and then reward yourself with a five-minute break.
Rinse and repeat.
This technique helps combat burnout, maintains focus, and adds structure to your creative process.
Just resist the urge to turn those five-minute breaks into hour-long Netflix binges.
Remember, balance is vital!
Embracing Procrastination ... Kinda.
Let's be real.
As artists, we have a unique relationship with procrastination.
It's like a siren's call, luring us away from our work with promises of cat videos and meme scrolling.
While succumbing to its charms is tempting, let's find a middle ground. Embrace the occasional break, but set limits.
Use procrastination as a reward for completing a task rather than a default state.
That way, you can enjoy guilt-free procrastination while still progressing in your artistic endeavors.
Set boundaries with your family and friends.
It's important to set boundaries with your family and friends when you're working from home.
For example, let them know you're available during certain hours but need to focus on your work during those times.
If you met me before, you know that I’m the proud boss of three art meownagers :)
Virtual Accountability Buddies: Cats, Dogs, and AI Friends.
Let me tell you, there is not only you in your artistic crew.
Your furry companions can be excellent accountability buddies.
Share your artistic journey with them, discuss ideas, and seek their approval for your work (they always provide the best judgment).
And if you're more of a tech enthusiast, enlist the help of AI friends.
Virtual assistants can keep you on track, remind you of deadlines, and even provide creative prompts when you're stuck.
My biochemist wife and I both use Taskade, especially for creating mind boards.
It’s free or just $4 a month for a really amazing organization tool.
Who knew your artistic crew could have so many furry and virtual members?
Be bold and ask for help.
If you need help to stay productive or on track, feel free to ask for help.
Talk to your manager, a friend, or a family member.
They can offer you some helpful advice or support.
I once got stuck packing Halloween orders.
After, when I complained to my wife that I went to bed at 6 AM, she asked,
“Why didn’t you ask me to help you?!”
I confessed that I didn’t even think about it.
Take advantage of the flexibility of working from home.
One of the best things about working from home is its flexibility.
For example, if you need to take a break to run an errand or pick up your kids from school, you can do it without asking for permission.
You can also work from different locations, such as a coffee shop or the library if you find that helps you stay productive.
I adore our local library :)
Have fun!
Working from home can be a great way to have more flexibility and control over your work life.
But make sure to enjoy it!
Decorate your workspace, listen to your favorite music, or even wear your pajamas sometimes.
The most important thing is to find what works for you and create a work environment you enjoy.
A bike and a yoga mat are all I need to escape to the park or the lake. No, no yoga, just sitting or reading.
The Great Outdoors: Escape the Art Cave.
While working from home offers unparalleled convenience, it can also trap you in an artistic bubble.
Remember to venture outside!
Take your sketchbook to a nearby park or café, and let the world inspire you.
People-watching becomes an Olympic sport, and even a simple grocery store trip can become a magnificent expedition of color, texture, and potential art supplies.
Who knows, you might even stumble upon a muse or two!
Celebrate Your Wins, Big and Small.
As artists, we tend to be our own harshest critics.
But it's crucial to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small.
Finished a painting? Treat yourself to a decadent dessert.
Sold a piece? Dance like no one's watching (unless you're live streaming your victory dance, in which case, dance like everyone's watching).
Recognizing your progress and giving yourself credit keeps the motivation flowing and reminds you why you embarked on this artistic journey in the first place.
So let's briefly summarize the top tips to help you add structure to your time while working from home as an artist:
Use a to-do list or task manager to keep track of your work.
Set deadlines for yourself and stick to them.
Reward yourself for completing tasks.
Take advantage of online resources and tools to help you stay organized and productive.
Find a work-from-home community or group to connect with others working from home.
Feel free to experiment and find what works best for you.
Photo by Sharad Kachhi
Being a work-from-home artist is a unique blend of creativity, discipline, and embracing the unexpected.
Adding structure to your time while maintaining a lighthearted approach allows you to maximize your productivity and create art that reflects your artistic spirit.
Remember, rise and shine, find your Pomodoro power hour, and don't forget to celebrate every step of the way.
So now, If you'll excuse me, I must put on my most avant-garde outfit and plan my next dance break.
But wait! Here are my top 5 books about time management, creativity, and productivity process organization for artists.
I read many books, looking for what would work for me.
Books from this list stayed with me and live in my library.
Some of them saw the light only this year (The Conquering Creative and Atomic Habits ) and have already become bestsellers. Being an enormous lazy ass and an avid reader, I keep myself updated with the latest art business and self-organization books, and I'm glad to share them with you as a small bonus to this article.
If you suffer from disorganization, art blocks, and burnout quickly working as an artist, then this is precisely what you must read.
The Heart To Start: Stop Procrastinating Start Creating by David Kadavy - Whether you’re writing a novel, starting a business, or picking up a paintbrush for the first time in years, The Heart to Start will upgrade your mental operating system with unforgettable tactics for ending procrastination before it starts, so you can make your creative dreams a reality.
Mind Management, Not Time Management: Productivity When Creativity Matters (Getting Art Done) by David Kadavy - the book you should DO, not READ :) The second one is from David Kadavy's life-changing book series.
How To Build Your Art Business: With Limited Time Or Energy by Corrina Thurston - Corrina Thurston is a professional artist, writer, speaker, and entrepreneur who has been chronically ill since 2008. In this book, she takes what she's learned from her art business and teaches you how to build your art business, even if you have time or energy limitations, as she does.
The Conquering Creative: 9 Shifts to Build an Unstoppable Creative Business by William C. Warren - open this book to boost your creativity.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear - Goals are good for setting a direction, but systems are best for making progress.
Happy creating!
Pssttt… if you have your favorite time management for artists or self-organization books, comments about this article, or a tip or method that works for you, please, share it in the comment section below.
I am looking to incorporate new ideas into my process.
Thank you!