How to Find Time to Make Art When You Work Full Time

This is an excerpt from Art Inc.: The Essential Guide for Building Your Career as an Artist by Lisa Congdon Published by Chronicle Books. To learn more about organization and time management for creatives, join Lisa for her CreativeLive class to get organized and get to work!

If you’re holding down a full-time job or raising a family, the thought of making time for art can feel like a luxury or an overwhelming addition to your schedule. You’ll have to genuinely embrace the fact that your life might feel full for a while and that carving out time for art will require some discipline. Here are some simple ways that you can find time to make art:

Schedule time

Block out chunks of time in your calendar to make art, even if it’s only two hours a week at first. Doing a little bit each week might not seem like a lot, but over time, it adds up.

Incorporate art into your social activities

Make art during quality time with your children, partner, or friends. Create collages with your kids on a Saturday afternoon or gather a group of friends to draw with you.

Reduce screen time

Use the time you normally spend surfing the Internet or watching television for making art instead.


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Delegate chores

Having another family member take over a few chores can open up some free time for your art. If you’re unable to pass any household duties to other people, don’t feel bad about letting go of things.

Bring a blank journal with you everywhere

When pockets of time open up, you can pull it out to sketch, draw, or brainstorm ideas.

Take an art class

While it takes time, enrolling in classes will force you into art-making mode and onto a schedule. Going to a class can also lead to new creations, not to mention finessing your techniques or even adding a new one to your repertoire.


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How to sell art with Lisa Congdon


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Lisa Congdon is an artist, illustrator, and author. She likes to draw, paint and cut paper.