Being a part-time artist is like walking a tightrope – trying to balance your creative passion with the daily grind. It takes discipline, dedication, and a bunch of productivity tricks. Trust me, I've been there, and I'm still figuring it out every day.
Back when I was studying at Al Jamea Tus Saifiyah, diving into art as a passion felt like unlocking a whole new level of excitement. There was this inner glow I'd get while sketching or painting.
But guess what? Being an artist isn't just about getting the best at drawing or painting (although that's still super important).
I found myself participating in various exhibitions like World Art Dubai and the Radiant Arts Exhibition: Roots and Wings.
Growing as an artist wasn't just about improving my drawing skills; it also meant diving into marketing, crafting my portfolio, and connecting with fellow art enthusiasts. Basically, it's like building a whole new world for your art to live in!
Fast forward to now, I've wrapped up my education and set up camp in Mumbai. Life here is a whirlwind of new experiences and lessons learned every single day.
But in all this hustle, keeping up with art as a passion can sometimes feel overwhelming, and the joy of creating just vanishes. Poof! Gone.
This blog is my way of reminding myself (and maybe you too!) how to keep the spark alive and stay productive doing what I love. It's heavily inspired by Ali Abdaal's recent book, "Feel Good Productivity". I've been a big fan of his for a while now and have been following his journey closely. I even sketched his portrait as a little token of appreciation.
Ali Abdaal's main mantra is all about to do more of what matters to you. His book is divided into three parts: Energize, Unblock, and Sustain. Each part is broken down into three juicy topics, backed up with scientific experiments and his own experiences.
The first part? It's all about the three Ps: Play, Power, and People.
Play
Ali's secret sauce for staying productive is approaching his work with a playful mindset. It's something I seem to have forgotten along the way. For me, art has always been a labor of love, almost like playtime.
Yet lately, I catch myself stressing over each new drawing, wondering how it'll be received and whatnot. Obsessing over the end result is a creativity killer.
I realize I need to dial back and relish the process of creating art rather than obsessing over the end result. Because let's face it, fretting over outcomes doesn't just mess with your well-being, it also takes a toll on the quality of your craft.
Power
Ali says confidence is key to staying productive, and that means being unshakeable by whatever negativity life throws your way.
For me, art has always been my source of strength. It built my confidence, and that's something I talked about in a previous blog (go check it out if you haven't already!).
But here's the thing: Ali also mentions this cool concept called the "Shoshin method." It's all about embracing the beginner's mindset, realizing there's always more to learn.
After school, I totally lost sight of that. I got stuck in a rut, and guess what? My art suffered. This blog itself is a step towards changing that. I'm finally acknowledging that learning is a never-ending journey, and that's awesome!
Ali also emphasizes this super important point: we control our mindsets. This one hits me hard. I gotta stop seeing drawing as a chore and remember it's what energizes me! It's time to reclaim that playful, powerful artist within.
People
Productivity often hinges on the company we keep, as Ali points out in his book. There are certain individuals who lift our spirits and fuel our drive.
The challenge lies in identifying these individuals and viewing them not as competitors, but as comrades. I'm a member of several artist groups on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.
One standout is RadiantArts, a Dawoodi Bohra art community where artists come together to share their work and inspire one another. It's like a shot of espresso for my creative energy, especially when I'm feeling drained.
It serves as a reminder of something I've overlooked lately – that art is meant to be playful, and without play, well, you know the saying!
I'm curious to hear your take on this and how you navigate the balance between daily life and pursuing your passions. I'll be sharing two more blogs inspired by Ali Abdaal's book soon. It's definitely worth a read, so why not grab a copy for yourself?
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