Do you have tons of art supplies piling up in your closet?  Perhaps even bordering on hording? The suppies are just waiting for you to use them.  You on the other hand are waiting for that “perfect” time to start creating with your special stash.  Or maybe it’s a writing journal or a collection of instruments or some other tool waiting to be used by you for your creative expression.

You may tell yourself that you will start painting as soon as you buy just the right shade of turquoise paint, lest you ruin your art with home-made mixing.  You insist that you have the ideal studio space or set up for creating before you dare begin.   Or you tell yourself you have to be in the mood.  You don’t want to feel rushed.

You may be waiting, hoping, even anticipating that there will be some sort of sign that it’s time to start.  You are waiting to be “inspired” before you begin.  Or perhaps you feel you just need to gain a bit more knowledge or skill before you break out those new pastels, paints, canvas or whatever, to get started.

Seriously what are you really waiting for?  There is never going to be a perfect time to start. What is really happening when creating is put off for some “greater good” is that you have been bitten by the procrastination bug.

I have been there; buying new supplies with the hope that they will inspire me to begin even though I have enough  supplies already. I have watched cherished art supplies sit and collect dust as I justify in my mind that someday soon they will be used.
There is something about that elusive “someday” that can really put a damper on starting. The more you put it off in your mind the more you build it up so great that it becomes down right intimidating to start!

So how do you begin?  How does one get out of this void, this art free zone. How can one change it to a free your art zone instead?  One word:

That’s it.   You just need to begin.  Break the habit of what you are used to.   Don’t think, just do.

Did you know that studies have shown that the best way to get rid of a fear is to face it? To do what it is that you fear.  The best way to reinforce your fear and make it bigger and stronger and harder to challenge is avoidance.  It’s true, when we avoid things that we are afraid of we are basically allowing that fear to grow, making it harder to confront.

I’ll say it again: “simply begin“:

Gather your supplies and begin.

Begin small: taking a few minutes in your art journal – (if don’t have paper handy, check the recycling bin use the blank side. No Excuses!)

Begin now! Yes now. Instead of reading the rest of this post begin now. You can always come back and read the rest of this post later (and comment too!).

Are you back from making some art? Great, then read on. If not, read over the bold text above.

Sometimes we avoid the very things that we need.   We put them off or save it for later all because of the fear that we have conjured up in our minds.  This is a sure-fire way to block creativity.

However, the more opportunities we give ourselves to experiment, to falter, make mistakes, and continue creating despite perceived “failed” attempts, the more we open the doors to our creative genius.  

This week, participants in the Painting With Your Muse e-course are facing their fears about expressing through paint.  They are meeting their inner critics head on and challenging procrastination.

You can Try   do It too! Deep down inside, your muse is calling you, don’t ignore her any longer.  Answer her call.

If you are in the Toronto area, you are in luck! There will be an in person full day Painting With Your Muse Workshop on August 11th.  Join us if you can!