Make Art While Running Errands
Use Daily Tasks as an Excuse to Create Artworks.
The next time you're out running errands, make it an artist's date. How? With some slight changes, a couple of detours, and minimal planning, it can be accomplished.
Artist's dates are an important ingredient in any creative person’s life, be it a writer, painter, composer, dancer, or someone involved in any other kind of creative pursuit. These adventures help us to stay connected to our creative selves, keep us grounded, and give us the opportunity to explore. Don’t let a busy life get in the way of these efforts.
The next time you are out running errands, think about what else is going to be in the area. For example, if your bank is within walking distance to a park, then get some bark rubbings, collect some pinecones, and find some interesting leaves. If your doctor’s office is near an information center, collect a stack of brochures and flyers. You get the idea.
So, here is your mission:
- Fold a piece of paper in half lengthwise.
- Make a list of all the errands you have to do on a given day on the left hand side of the paper.
- On the right hand side of the paper, make a list of interesting places that are near each one of the errands.
- Choose between one and three (depending on what these areas are – some might be quick stops) of these areas and highlight them in yellow.
- In your daily planner, write out your errands along with the choices you highlighted.
There, now you have scheduled in this artist date. It is near where you are going to be, there is no need to block out specific time, and your family (friends, employers, whatever) are already expecting you to be gone during that period of time. Try not to rush around in a flurry of activity. Pace yourself as much as possible so you can enjoy these moments. Before you know it, these moments will become longer and you will not have to incorporate them into a busy day.
The goal for your next artist's date:
Describe your experiences with this experiment with your loved ones. Express how you felt about having to fit it in with your errands and ask them what their thoughts are about the subject. Explain to them the importance of this time, how much time you need, and how often you expect to need this time. Communication creates understanding and, when there is an understanding accommodations are usually made (or a compromise is made).
Then, once the conversations are finished, schedule in your next date. This time, it will not have to be rushed or squeezed in. Artists dates will be a continued theme here at the mixed media arts topic. So, if you have trouble choosing what you should do for your next artist date, visit here again for some ideas.
