To Move Forward, Sometimes You Have to Quit

Over the years, I've been so inspired by other artists who have incorporated daily practices into their daily routines. When I turned 36 this past November, I decided to do a daily painting exercise. My intention was to have fun with it, explore more with marks and pattern, and to push myself to try new things.

I read this interesting little book while I was visiting my family in Florida over Thanksgiving, "Daily Rituals: How Artists Work" by Mason Currey. The daily lives of artists and creatives of all types (painters, writers, musicians, mathematicians) were outlined. Many took daily walks, they slept few hours, some were tormented, some were refreshingly happy, it truly varied. (Note for perspective: Many of these artists, though not all, had maids, childcare, benefactors, etc.)

So I started posting my daily painting exercises on Instagram (my favorite social media) with the hashtag #paintcadadía. Cada día means "each day" in Spanish. It is a reminder to paint, but also that daily practice can make a big difference. I don't speak Spanish fluently, but I understood way more when was practicing daily a few years ago with a tutor.

It has been four months since I started this journey. While I think that daily practice is amazing, and would recommend it for anyone, frankly, I am flagging.

But that is okay. I have a full time job. I have a two year old boy that I am the primary caregiver to due to my husband's work schedule. I have to go to the laundromat. I have to cook. I want to draw more, but I cannot do everything I want all the time. At least not while maintaining my sanity and being present for my son, which is my most important priority right now.

What is that great quote? "You can do anything, but not everything."

So I'm going to stop this exercise. I will still paint as much as I can, but I'm not going to force myself to adhere to a strict schedule and feel bad about it if I chose to do something else that day, like play at the park with my son, read a book, take a nap, or lets be real - KonMari my house!

Did I do it for the whole year? No. But did I fail? Absolutely not.

I choose to say that I succeeded in my goal, even if I did it for 1/3 of the time originally slated. Let's just say I was remarkably efficient in my endeavors.

I had fun. I made wonderful connections with other artists.

I explored with my style which clarified what I want to focus on next, which is more abstract painting, food, and makeup product drawings. I want to try relying less on ink with my watercolor illustrations. I want to paint more interiors again.

I carved out time for myself to focus on something important to me. I showed my son that a mom should also have her own time to work on what she loves, which is part of being a good role model in my opinion (granted that child is fed first!).

And when I look at what I posted on Instagram, I'm proud of the variety and amount of drawings and paintings I created these 4 months. I even posted some of the watercolor paintings for sale as art prints on my new Society6 page.

I spoke to my goal oriented cousin this weekend, and I told her, you are "enough" doing what you're doing right now. That is enough! I'm glad I finally listened to my own advice.

Sketches and Clothes and Chicken Scratch

I had some fun today mentally recalling what I put together clothes wise for the past ten days trying to only use items in my capsule wardrobe. I felt like sketching...

Days 7 and 8 were my favorite days, since I wore a new silk scarf that a friend gave to me, and a gorgeous 100 inch strand of pearls my mom gave me one Christmas. The pearls looked especially nice against the black blouse I wore.

I'm still working through my capsule, and I already replaced a few things, but so far it's making my morning wardrobe decisions much easier. It's also encouraging me to work with the accessories I have but never end up wearing!

Fall Fashion Capsule Wardrobe

I heard about capsule wardrobes for the first time from Caroline at Un-Fancy. As someone who flirts with the idea of minimalism, wants to be more efficient in the morning (getting out of the house for work & daycare) and is looking to eliminate daily choice overload, I was hooked!

The idea is that you select a specific amount of items of clothing, accessories and shoes for the season and pack what you won't be using until the next season. Dependent upon what "rules" you follow, accessories and shoes may or may not count. I'll likely count my shoes (forgot to draw my blue suede boots) and be unlimited with my jewelry to switch things up.

Basically, it's a strategic plan for your wardrobe, so that it is edited, cohesive, and items will work well with each other. As an artist and designer, I love having limits, it helps me be more creative and forces me to use what I have. I also am more mindful of the great items that I do have.

It was great timing since Fall has just arrived. After reading a ton of posts on Un-Fancy, I also checked out Project 333 , which was also helpful (and binge worthy). I packed up clothes, put items in the donate pile, and a mend pile.

I went to my sketchbook to figure out my 33 or 37 (still a little undecided) pieces for the next three months. It sounds like such a small number, until you start writing it down, or in my case, drawing it out.

This is my preliminary Fall 2014 capsule. I think I'll buy a white tee shirt, and maybe a green military trench if I find a good deal, but I think I'm good! Side note, I love the drawing app Paper by 53, it is so much fun, though nothing will ever replace old fashioned paper, pencils and paint!

I'm one step closer to having a jumpsuit uniform!

P.S. Look at my sweet little boy drawing too! Sigh, for cuteness...