A Day in my Artist Life: Creativity in Chaos
The life of an artist is often romanticized. However, the reality is more about routine, practice, experimentation, and persistence, all while managing the chaos of life. Let me take you through a typical day in my life as a painter, where creativity, discipline, and trial and error are key elements.
Waking Up & Morning Rituals
I’m not an early riser, but I’ve learned that starting the day with intention is essential. I wake up, taking my time to sip a tea. This quiet time helps me ground myself and jot down ideas in my sketchbook. That is the romanticized part of the morning life as an artist. This ideal inspiration doesn’t include the reality of the morning routine in a typical family where the chaos of a morning routine takes over. Ahah, joke!
Getting Into the Studio
By 8:30-9:00 am, I head to my studio—aka my fancy garage. I spend the first few minutes reviewing the projects I’m working on. I check my paintings and sketches from yesterday and decide what to focus on next. Sometimes, I simply sit and reflect on the work before starting. I start with a clear sense of purpose, but creativity often takes unexpected turns.
Lunch Break
After a few hours of work, I take a break for lunch and try to not think too much at the painting that I am working on. Changing plans over lunch is not very productive for me. So I try to keep it quiet.
Back to Work
In the afternoon, I dive into the finer details of my work. Whether I’m refining colors on a painting or challenging myself to experiment, this phase requires patience and precision.
By 2:30.PM, I am pretty much done for the creative part. The rest of the day will be dedicated to answering emails, planning social media or future art shows, shopping my next paints and panels, etc.
Evening Relaxation
After that kind of day, I make time to unwind: diner with family and friends, watching my favorite show, read and finally sleep.
The Reality
This is my ideal day, the one I am aiming for. But to be frank, it is rarely how it goes. The chaos whether mine or coming from outside invites itself and like any other job, I have to adjust and make the most of it to achieve my goal, whatever it is at that moment.
Being an artist is about embracing the process—the breakthroughs, the frustrations, and the quiet moments of discovery. It’s not just about the final piece but about finding joy in every step of the creative journey. Whether you're an artist or just seeking more creativity in your life, remember that the act of creating and the journey to get there are as important as the end result.