Since I paint professionally part time, I paint 3-4 hrs. during the week night evenings. On Saturdays I normally paint 6-8 hrs. with very few breaks. I usually will sit in front of my easel staring at my painting while eating a sandwich. Once I get on a roll and am totally focused, I don't like taking breaks. Sunday afternoons/evenings are typically 3-4 hrs.

Yes, I think you've likely hit on something that is a big part of it, Michele. Moms have to put a lot of energy into that role and they also have more interruptions as well. Regular walking or other exercise not only adds body endurance, but makes your brain sharper also. Of course it takes up extra time too, but it

This is my job. I usually log in 40 to 60 hours per week. This includes other studio related work and administrative stuff - not just easel time. I do not include this Forum into these hours.

I've spent most of my life working long hard hours for other people so I consider it a gift to actually be able to work these hours for myself.

Karin, how many hours can you typically put in during one session at the easel before you find you physically need to go do something else (stretch canvases or whatever)?

Unless the phone rings or my body screams that I am hungry, thirsty or whatever, I can "get lost" and work at the easel 6, 7 or even 8 hours at a clip.

When I take a break, I don't need much of one. Usually I begin work at 7 am and frequently set a timer to ring at noon in order to remind myself that I need lunch.

Oftentimes I let life interfere with my afternoons and I go back to work around 7pm and work until midnight or later.

I work full time, get up at 5am, have a 40 mile commute each way in bumper to bumper traffic, and sometimes don't get home until 9pm which does not leave much time during the week for my art.

When I have a commission going (which thankfully is getting to be pretty regularly), I work on it until the wee hours of the morning and all weekend long. I take coffee breaks and longer breaks for a few hours to go to the gym so I can lift weights and run a few miles to work out all the kinks. I don't know if I would call that stamina, or stupidity - but I am 43 and still feel like 23, so it must be working.

Those goods will be good for your energy:
Tea,
flounder,
ginger,

More time
 

I have found this thread very interesting. I am impressed that so many artists can find the time to paint for long stretches at a time because I have such trouble with that. I have two children ages 9 and 13 whom I drive to school every morning and then pick up each afternoon. They go to a private school so there is no bus. HOW do some of you do it? Between the time I get home from droppig them off at 8:15 a.m. and the time I leave to pick them up at 2:45 p.m., that's 6 1/2 hours which sounds like a lot of time to me. But, it just seems to disappear. I try to exercise most days, and there's the grocery shopping, little errands, some volunteer time at school, a weekly bible study class, doctor's appts, hair cuts, phone calls, it just all adds up. I am not complaining at all, I feel blessed that I'm able to stay at home and do all these things but I need to paint.

I feel like I am a pretty organized person but it's difficult to get time to paint. I finally have a space I can leave my supplies out in, I have half of our 'computer room' and I call that half my studio. Those of you that can successfully find time each week (or each day!) to paint, how do you do it? I can see maybe a couple of hours each afternoon before I get the kids, but how is it possible to paint 5 or 6 hours a day or more? I would love some insight into how to make the leap!

Joan

I made the decision a couple of years ago that if it's not related to family or painting, I don't do it. The time that the kids are in school is my painting time -- period.

At many points in my life I have found that I only paint if I put it ahead of just about everything else, not when "I have time for it." I exercise before the kids go to school and I do the groceries with them tagging along, after school.

Painting is my "job" and I plan my time around it like any working mother would.

Joan, cut out everything except the regular exercise. Pick a day (Fridays?) when you schedule miscellaneous doctors appointments and errands and try to stick to that.

As for the daily things you have to do, try this: set a kitchen timer for 45 (some days I only set it for 15) minutes and race around and get as much done as you can. When the bell rings you're free to paint.

I think you have to be ruthless with yourself (and sometimes others) to get work done. It helps me to think of myself as a Painting Machine.

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