Art is work. It’s such a simple phrase yet often hard to remember. I easily get discouraged when the ideas aren’t flowing and I wonder how other artists produce consistently amazing work that is unique to them. Or when I try a new skill or idea and if it’s not perfect the first time, I’ll assume it’s not my calling and I need to try something else instead of continuing to work at it. Yet I need to remember that art is work. It takes practice, practice, and a lot more practice. A lot of the artists and creatives I admire have spent years working, practicing, and refining their skills and talent.
I’ve heard before that creativity is like a muscle that has to be worked. When left alone and not worked, you start to lose it. Creativity needs to be stretched and sometimes we have to keep working at it in order for us to see improvements or progress. We need to work at our art in order to develop.
So I’m going to invest in my creativity and remember that art is in fact, work. It may feel like a roller coaster at times, but it will be worth it. All good things take time. :)
xo
(Illustration by Molly Jacques. Down to Business is a collaborative series with Molly Jacques Illustration. View more here.)
Thursday, July 19th, 2012, 8:01 am | 
Artsy, Down to Business | 
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July 19, 2012 at 10:12 am
I’m pretty damn impatient so when people tell me things like “oh it takes time” or “practice makes perfect,” it grates on my nerves. But it’s true, sadly. And I’ve been practicing patience :)
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Colleen Reply:
July 19th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
Rooth- I know it’s tough! But you can do it! It really is all about patience. :)
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July 19, 2012 at 11:32 am
If it was easy, everybody’d be doing it – my old boss used to tell me this. And it’s true. Gotta hang in there on the easy days and in the tough stretches.
I think there’s something going around the blogosphere lately – lots of introspection around creative work and balance and pulling back, etc. All good…
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Colleen Reply:
July 19th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
Sandra- Yeah, I think so too! It’s great. And I love that advice – so true! xo
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July 19, 2012 at 2:01 pm
This is just too damn true. I spent years perfecting my vocal technique and languages, but it bothers me when I can’t whip up a craft or snap a photo of a cocktail that’s as gorgeous as a professional photographer’s–silly me!
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Sandra Reply:
July 19th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
That made me laugh because I was a music performance major and studied for YEARS – I’m the same, if I can’t get it right away I can get all pouty. Funny…
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July 19, 2012 at 5:35 pm
This is so true, Colleen. Art is definitely not a sprint, it’s a marathon. And like you said, if you don’t use it, you lose it! Something I’m being reminded of while trying to get back into painting. Definitely don’t have that technique down like I did when I was in art school…but getting there is half the fun! :)
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July 19, 2012 at 8:14 pm
so true. thank you for this post.
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August 9, 2012 at 8:01 am