In 2016 I created more art than ever in a year - so much that it is taking over my storage space, and my shop is overflowing with originals! I found that developing a habit of creating daily is extremely beneficial in many ways and I want to keep producing art as much as I can.
I wrote a post on what I've learnt being creative every day for 6 months, but now it is the new year, I want to impart the most important lessons I've learnt after a whole year of creating daily.
The more you create, the better your work gets
With every single piece you create, you learn and improve and better understand your skills and what you are capable of. You become braver and more confident in experimenting, and less afraid of failures. Thus your work gets better and better as you create more and push your own boundaries a little bit more with each piece.
It gets easier to get started
For many, including myself, getting started is the hardest part of creative process.
I would love to be able to wake up and feel super motivated every single day forever but it is not always like that - I have some good spells, and some bad spells. But when you are committed, you have to go and make - even if you don't feel like it. Staying in the habit and being disciplined gets easier over time.
As Mark Twain put it -
"The secret of getting ahead is getting started."
But remember to take a break!
There will be times when you feel stagnant and run out of inspiration, and you risk burning out if you push yourself too hard. Taking a day off, working on something different, or going out for a long walk gives you a chance to reflect, feel inspired again, and give your work a fresh pair of eyes.
At other times, you might be overwhelmed by inspiration and impatient to get all your ideas down on paper! I often want to just sprint to the finish line. I sometimes found myself working days and nights in 2016, so much that I wore myself out physically - affecting my creativity in the long run, because it takes time to recover. Learn when to stop and be patient with yourself. Keep all of your ideas written down and prioritise them.
To those who followed my daily art journey last year, I think it is clear that being creative daily had a big impact on my creativity, skills, and mental health. I am lucky to be a full time artist with some of time in between commissions to focus on my own projects but I know this isn't the case for everyone. Ultimately, what makes you a better artist is not necessarily being creative every single day, but finding the courage to explore, overcome fears, and make art when you can.