Sixteen reasons why I won’t paint today

I’m at work in the library helping our readers but I want to be anywhere else painting. I am painting inside my head. Employment does get in the way of fulfilment.

I find that many of those daily disturbances (the forthcoming sister-in-law; stupid things at work, etc.) all can become fodder for advancing our art… giving us impetus to push forward with not only what we do but to push our limits about what constitutes our art. I always enjoy the pieces that are not only well executed but offer reflection of our human experience. Push forward fellow artists.

Just what I needed – excuses that I hadn’t thought of yet! Thanks, Robert.

“The person who really wants to do something finds a way; the other person finds an excuse.” ~ Author Unknown

I found my procrastination was the result of self-doubt and fear of failure. The best thing a person can do to overcome them both is just “do it”. The results will get better the more you work. I have so much “fun” painting now that I can hardly wait to get to the next project. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again.

Painting is my excuse for ignoring everything else.

“Everyone has 24 hours in a day.” True, but some of us choose to give a few of those hours to others.

Thanks. I needed that.

Dealing with the mind’s built-in component of Self-Sabotage is a constant battle. Those trivial excuses that keep buzzing around like pesky mosquitoes are quite comical when scrutinized.

Ok, you caught me. I’ve been shamed into doing something today rather than all the other things calling my name. It’s really true, all the things you say about fear, self doubt, and procrastination becoming a habit.

Dear Robert, I was asked the other day by a client, about an area of one of my paintings where there was a great deal of blue happening. The client was intrigued by this and how there were several various shades of blue and it really was unique to my painting. I went on and on about how the philosophy of painting happens. Truth be told, I was out of Red earlier and I really just wanted the piece finished. At the end of the day, no matter what happens, artists need to paint everyday. I am not a famous artist and I only make my living from my art maybe 4 months of the year. And yet, I deem my life a success because being an artist is what defines me. I go into my studio and paint every day. No matter what, even on the worst day, days when everyone is against us or the earth is ending, artists need to hone their craft and do it every day. Even if they are out of Red… John Ferrie

Death twitches in my ear. “Live,” he says. “I am coming.” Virgil

Starting my seventh decade on this blue planet I still have a strong desire to create art. Perhaps it is knowing I don’t have that many days left. That sounds somewhat morbid but it is reality. My feeling is to make excuses to “make art”. If you don’t have passion and commitment to pursue art you need to do something else.

If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse. – Jim Rohn.

When I taught painting for 25 years, I had students with more excuses,then you can imagine. I would “jokingly” say well that is a new one can I add it to my collection, soon to be published in my “Book of Excuses”. I will admit, now retired, that I sometimes, go for walk, or visit a gallery, read, but do not sketch or paint. Music, playing does help those of us who spent periods of time alone, to not feel alone. Like the sounds of earth, wind and birds, help us when outside painting. Connected.

I’m with Peggy on this. I use all the excuses so I can stay in and paint. “Can’t do that as I have paintings to finish”.

Well, now I can’t paint because you reminded me about my sister in law! Just kidding, not about being able to paint, not about the sister in law. Here is the scenario that never fails to snowball me into painting paralysis. The painting isn’t going well and I start to calculate in my mind how much time I have wasted on it. Then I realize that I am still in the time wasting mode and things go from bad to worse. At that point my muse and my mojo don’t want anything to do with me. Ignoring this situation and making myself busy rarely helps. If I just stop work and wait for good attitude to return, it never will – I tried that for days and weeks and it ain’t gonna happen. What eventually helps is when I get angry and become my own action hero who has to beat the evil “Timewaster” character. My weapons are my good paintings and by looking at them I get clues how to fix the bad one. The curious thing is how come I was blind to some glaring mistakes in the first place. I guess that’s just the trickery of the evil “Timewaster”. Since this whole thing is happening in my own mind, I have decided that good will always win over the evil. Our ideas come from the real world, but our art is created in our internal imaginary world where we make our own rules. P.S. I didn’t paint last night because I spent a few hours shopping for clothes – which is an unusual and exhausting event for me. I came home and fell into a deep sleep behind heaps of stupid shoes and clothes. I had a strange dream of an emperor wearing my new clothes.

The human psyche is a curious thing. I remember when I was young, I came up with reason after reason for not doing something. When I look back, I understand my excuses came about to get out of doing things – for my parents; work related things i.e. vacuum the living room, Saturday dusting, homework, taking the dog for a walk. The issue becomes compounded as we mature into finding reasons for not doing things we either find repugnant, difficult or challenging. I don’t find reasons or excuses to paint is because I can’t wait to get into the studio and paint. It’s a disease, I’m addicted. In fact, I will put off all of the above excuses in order to start painting. I find my reality is reversed. Painting comes first and the rest of life come after. Sadly, I hear these and many other excuses from my students and I tell them that I’ve already used them. Get over it! I am thinking of creating a sign – a big red octagon with a red slash over the word “EXCUSES”.

A teacher once told me to do something related to art every day even if it is just washing out your palette or looking through your photo references or tidying your work space. Sometimes I will spend a whole morning looking through my photos and trying to remember why I took the picture and what drew the scene to my attention. I also post signs on my studio wall reminding me of my emotional goals, such as: “Feel agreeable to start/finish my work, Feel motivated, Feel reassured, Feel renewed”. It works for me.

Simple, but one of my favorite missives from Painters Keys. Back to work now – exhausting my excuse for not working, I was writing to Robert.

The T.V. was driving me crazy (husband retired), on the advice of a friend, I bought wireless head phones. I spent lots of money on them, wow! what a difference. I don’t hear Judge Judy, the Doctors, stock market etc. etc. I am now working on an ambitious painting,(about 1/3 done) getting back to it as soon as I finish this letter.

This sort of interesting – one way of thinking of it – the other is to just follow the flow and not beat yourself up – Most all of us will never be famous nor even feel the need to be so painting is more of a joy and recreation (re creation).

I love your letters. Each one speaks to me and tweaks my brain in a unique way.

Can we say – no I am not going to work today? How long do you think you would keep your job?

I treat my studio time as if I was going to a regular job. I begin by a certain time, work for so many hours, take a lunch break and so forth. I don’t let my mind go to reasons why I may not want to paint. By sticking to a schedule and not waiting for inspiration to hit I am assured of getting work done. No phone calls or other interruptions during work hours. I’ve learned that those kinds of interruptions can really throw me off course for the day. Friends have learned to respect my work ethics and phone during my off hours. This may sound pretty extreme to some, but it has worked for me.

When I am annoyed by neighbor’s noises or barking dogs, etc, I just get so mad. I slam the canvas on the easel and start to paint, probably cursing at them under my breath. Soon my madness goes into the painting and I soon do not hear the distraction and the energy I have created often produces a really good painting. So, lady, do not use the excuse that you can not afford to buy the head set. Just get mad and focus.

I think it must be true of artists that to make the first cut, you must love producing art, and all the processes necessary to doing it. Excuses are what you make to other people to make the time to do it.

Today’s subject just made me smile. Painting is my excuse for not doing anything else. I painted “Lakeside” 7-6-2011 at the Northville Garden Walk, 4th year for me painting during this event. A beautiful day and opportunity to interact with passersby. Everything else can wait.

Thank you for your wonderful letters. This one is exceptional!!! This is because, we have volumes and volumes of reasons to procrastinate, especially when it relates to WORK! Your sense of humor makes all subjects light and alive. Congratulations!!!

Every once in awhile, I reach a dead end; “I an unable to paint” I say to myself, “This is not good”. I make myself a promise that I will paint starting early tomorrow; I always keep my promises. First thing yesterday morning, I started painting and I felt so good; Now! I am on a roll and I will continue painting right after breakfast.

As we get older we realize just how precious time is. You can never recover the time spent procrastinating. Create at every opportunity!

Thank you for all the “procrastinator excuses”! I was running out of them.

Newton’s definition of inertia is: “The vis insita, or innate force of matter, is a power of resisting by which every body, as much as in it lies, endeavours to preserve its present state, whether it be of rest or of moving uniformly forward in a straight line.” I often think of that when I am having a hard time getting into the painting mode. I know that once I just get the momentum going, I will be fine. So it really boils down to committing to spending at least “X” amount of hours painting during my day. If I decide the night before where or what I am going to paint the next day, it always help me to get to work sooner.

My mother always said: “you do what you want to do.” So no matter what I said she would answer again her theory was there are no excuses..

I am not a painter but do so enjoy your discussions about the creative process. Six years ago I was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of breast cancer. After treatment I spent time recovering and then went back for an elective mastectomy of the other side. The DR.s left my chemo port in until pathology was done on the second breast. Meantime my husband and I went off on a 7 1/2 week trip to visit mainland family and friends. (We/I live on Maui.) Back home the port was removed and 13 days later my husband stood in a door at 11 am talking before heading out to the garden, He had already put in 4 1/2 hours of effort for a non profit for which he served as Treasurer that morning. Forty five minutes later I found him dead in his garden. The coroner said he literally dropped dead. It took only 1 to 2 seconds to die as it happened to him. I am now back at my quilting and have learned how to conduct the everyday and financial/business parts of my life. All I can say to those who procrastinate and find reasons not to exercise their creative talents is that I have learned the hard way that one cannot count on the next year, month, day, hour or minute. LIVE NOW. Thank you for prodding the procrastinators.

One excuse that I got told about 1 & 1/2 yrs ago was: “I’m now living with my brother & sister-in-law and my sister-in-law won’t allow me to paint in the house, so I need a place of my own.” Trouble was that when he found a place to paint it was a house-sitting situation in an artists house but he didn’t look after himself properly and died from a diabetic coma. RIP my friend (Izmadi) NZ artist, Peter Ellis. I wish you’d eaten instead of smoking! I still miss him.

I believe that ‘impedimenta’ happen with a lot of activities besides painting…from the loftiest pursuits of arts and academia down to the most menial functions of housework and personal cleanliness. For many, it’s just one impedimentum after another…

I’m currently on my 560th consecutive day of drawing and/or painting (shooting for 1,000). In that time I’ve travelled coast to coast, worked long days, gotten sick, and generally led a busy life. There are no excuses.

I just want to let you know that I did paint today for 4 hours and messed up my watercolor. I feel as though I wasted time. Thanks (Washington DC)

Yes but I still have to look forward to Jabba the Hutt plopped in my studio, drooling, talking incessantly about nothing.

Here is an idea. Set a deadline and put it on your calendar. Imagine your painting is for a grade in a college art class and if it is not finished by the deadline you fail the class. drsmeme24@cox.net

Dear Robert, Sixteen reasons why I loved your article: 1.) I was searching for a reason not to paint. 2.) I hadn’t one reason not to paint. 3.) I couldn’t find a reason to paint. 4. – 16.) Procrastination x 13 thank you thank you thank you, brilliant and much needed to read! I just love your letters!

If I’m really stuck I might search through my drawings and sketches and find something to “experiment” on. Lately, since I’ve been working from models, I call up a model and schedule a drawing session. That will give me new material to play with. Just do it.

Making Art is hard… so we avoid the hard stuff, but once we start we remember why we are artists.

There was a time when I used painting as a carrot or reward. Once everything else on the list was accomplished, then I would give myself that time. For 5 years now I have been paying rent for studio space. There is no greater motivation to get into the studio and stop chasing dust bunnies than writing that check every month. Also, the 20 minute walk to the studio helps me transition to a painting state of mind.

Robert, et al, I’m sending you a poem inspired by all of you, your words in this clickback I’ve borrowed, and added my own words to describe my state of being – which sounds on rereading entirely self absorbed. Because, yes, it is, I am more than aware. I am finding myself in a phase of accepting of this “period of pause” and expect that any day it will end and I will either go back to previous studio behaviour, or find a new path. I do have hope, and remain fascinated by the process. Here is the poem pasted below – in the original form there are many different fonts and sizes and placement on the page, as I feel that poetry can be a visual thing, but because of the on-line format we are stuck with Georgia font of a single size. Anyway. a fallow time you can’t always get what you want (even if you have for years been self-directed) unemployed almost three years ago involuntarily (trigger stopped) I fell to a frozen state its not that I don’t want to its that I can’t get actually move myself physically mentally, emotionally – there is no motivation no interest to paint a feeling of pointlessness when examined this is ridiculous yet, it exists just as tangible as the wall in front of me for 25 years I used to be like this: get twitchy and a little difficult if I had not had a brush in my hand in 48 hours. I was told I was obsessed. I was prolific I was not lauded but I was determined my ideas and art were valid I painted with gusto, presented my own exhibitions didn’t try to fit into a mould nor judge my work against financial success but now I seem to want something else: which is part of the stopping. Daily painting for me used to be: a reminder that every day can bring with it reason. I was busy before, raising a family, caring for the home just run off my feet most days and that’s when the painting happened if not in my head, then in the studio in 15 minute intervals producing volumes of work a whole 25 year career of it and then a line was drawn. reasons why I won’t paint today? The most pernicious aspect of procrastination,” says author Steven Pressfield, “is that it can become a habit. ( if you are aware you are procrastinating, and still, can’t move beyond the thought –– because it’s the opposite of before) I am humbled Despair and postponement are cowardice and defeat (thanks, yes, I do know the default mode) but not inspired polishing the silver count painting in one’s head as something too, and remind myself Art is more important than the falling sky yesterday, I organized the summer studio I stretched canvas (old school) made myself get into the act of doing and yet, the paint jars were left unopened the canvases blankly staring (a never before for me phenomenon) well, I have ideas, I’m just not actually doing any painting! Yes I have days when I am feeling sorry for myself. A misery meal, table for one. still, I ponder where did and where will my art energy go?

On the plains of hesitation bleach the bones of countless millions who, at the dawn of inspiration, sat down to rest, and resting, died. On my studio wall here in Cape Town, South Africa.

I once thought I avoided making art by doing more important things. Oddly, I find tchat I’m not really avoiding art, but actually doing more important things — since I don’t make a living at art. There’s family, pet carr, financial considerations, et al. I am reminded how unctious I found the self justifications of Gauguin who thought he was giving up everything for his art, and was suffering and in want for his art — but, eventually, realized he was just suffering and in want because his art wasn’t as important as he thought it was. (At least not immediately, or, arguably, at all.) It’s just another thing to do and to consider and to fill the world with that’s better than war, but on a par with really good food.

Another reason is fear… Why can I boldly and fearlessly walk into the jungle of a new piece of music on the piano without thinking or premeditation and lose track of time yet a blank paper or canvas makes me reach for a paper bag to breathe? Go figure !

Some of us just get difficult and stubborn like a mule and it is difficult for us to do anything.

It so happened when I began my art career in 1970 a novelist friend warned me about how you will tend to find other chores before starting your painting day, like washing the kitchen windows or tidying up the stores cupboard, or mowing the grass, or even cutting your toe nails. Reject them, she said. Go to work. Frequently you will produce your best work when you feel that painting is the last thing you want to do. New Zealand