The network for artists with kids.
1: INTRODUCTIONS!
Join the network: Comment a “Hello” or more!
Hello fellow artist-parents! Let’s talk about juggling being a mom/dad and being an artist. I’ve already collected months worth of tips and am excited to share them! We’ll talk about finding time, studio management, finding energy, loving parenting techniques, etc. I hope you find this network helpful and inviting. We’d love to read about YOU, your child and/or your art. There will be a new open-ended CHALLENGE and TIP(S) every Friday.
CHALLENGE 1: Introduce yourself. Click the “Comment” button and let us know who you are. Just say “Hi” or answer these questions. (Click “Read More” for my info):
- Your name
- Medium you work in
- How old is your child / children?
- How long have you been making art?
- What is your biggest obstacle to creating art? (Or parenting?)
- What’s the best technique you’ve learned for balancing art and kids – or anything related?
- Your URL?
TIPS:
Save energy: Prepare your studio so that you can walk in and start working. For me, the 2 things that always need to be done are cleaning my pallet and cleaning my brushes. If you’re in the same boat, when you only have a couple minutes of free time, go into your studio space and grab your oil painting brushes that are too crusty to use. Put them in an old glass jar with 1 part Murphy’s Oil Soap and 1 part water. Try not to let the solution go above the bristles. Every once in a while smoosh the bristles a little. When they’re soft enough to scrub and rinse, you will have a very happy surprise! And, you’ll be ready to paint.
If you don’t see more text in this post below
Click “Read More” to see the next tip and my answers
Protect your parent-child relationship: When I walk into the studio in the morning, I close my eyes and think “When my son wakes up, I won’t be frustrated. I’ll be happy that I get to play with him then.” It works really well. Every time I do that, I’m able to switch from painting to parenting joyfully.
My INTRODUCTION answers:
- Jessie Rasche
- Oil paint, and recently watercolor
- My son is 4 1/2. He’s awesome!
- I started art school at the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, OR back in 1989. Over 20 years ago now. It doesn’t seem that long ago!
- biggest obstacle? I have a hard time remembering my priorities in the evening, and using my time for the things that are most important to me.
- Best technique I’ve learned: When I walk into the studio in the morning, I close my eyes and think “When my son wakes up, I won’t be frustrated. I’ll be happy that I get to play with him then.” It works really well. Every time I do that, I’m able to switch from painting to parenting joyfully.
- http://jessiesfineart.com
Come back next Friday. We’ll talk about tips for saving time in the studio, so you can walk in and create. I’ve collected some great tips, and am excited to share them! (Sign up for the free newsletter so you don’t forget!)
Neat idea. My kids are grown now. When they were little I painted late at night for a couple years and then quit painting.
Good luck!
Welcome aboard, Katie!
Hi everyone, Thought I’d add my answers in here.
*Jessie Rasche
*Oil paint, and recently watercolor
*My son is 4 1/2. He’s awesome!
*I started art school at the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, OR back in 1989. Over 20 years ago now. It doesn’t seem that long ago!
*biggest obstacle? I have a hard time remembering my priorities in the evening, and using my time for the things that are most important to me.
*Best technique I’ve learned: When I walk into the studio in the morning, I close my eyes and think “When my son wakes up, I won’t be frustrated. I’ll be happy that I get to play with him then.” It works really well. Every time I do that, I’m able to switch from painting to parenting joyfully.
*http://jessiesfineart.com
Happy painting!
This is such a great idea! I don’t have any kids still at home, but I know that every stage of life has its own challenges, especially when you have work you want to do at home that may seem “less important” than all the other work you need to do around the house. Everything else seems to come first, but the urge to paint or sculpt is still there. I suppose part of the challenge is just keeping that creative spirit alive, in spite of all the stress that seems to be part of everyday life.
I wonder if there’s a network or online support group like this for people who have just come back to art after they retire? I’d join that one, in a heartbeat.
Welcome aboard, Jonni! Thank you for the note.
I work in transparent watercolour, gouache, resin oils, acrylics and ink. My son is grown now, was home schooled until third grade, and has always been awesome. I recall as if it were yesterday putting the oils and acrylics on a back shelf when he could reach. He worked in crayons and tempera when I worked in pencil and gouache. The concentration part/broken focus thing is a test of just how much of an artist you want to be, and it gets easier as they get older. You are not so tired, you are used to getting up early in the AM, and you can pick that focus up like it was a hair in a wash……….
patch
Hi Pat,
Your work is lovely! Thank you for the great note!
How did you decide to home school, and did you and your son love it? As Kindergarten approaches, I’m getting really interested in what all the options are. As it turns out, a lot of people I know have decided to homeschool (most of them used to teach) and there’s a lot of support for that here, but in the town we’re moving to it doesn’t look like very many people do homeschool, and there’s not support through the schools. It’s strange that some aspects of education seem over-regulated and others have no regularity.
Hi! my name is Megan Davis
I make cloth diapers and accessories along with cloth baby toys, mamma necessities and nursing accessories.
My baby girls are 3 and 23 months.
I started making cloth diapers after I convinced my sister-in-law that they were 100 times better than sposies and easier (IMO) to use. I made them for her so they wouldn’t have to purchase them retail.
My biggest obstacle was getting my husband on board! LOL He was afraid I was growing to fast! I just had to convince him that it was a positive problem!
The best technique I’ve found in balancing parenting and CD making is to take everything in stride. I do make some on my own but mostly I do custom orders so I can take them as I feel I can accomplish them without it effecting my family time. If anyone is interested I’ currently available! So feel fee to contact me. mmgood1976@aol.com
My store is here http://hyenacart.com/hc_search.php?all=AllAboutCloth&c=1&topsearch=1&x=13&y=19
come check it out!
Hi everyone, please visit Megan’s shop if your looking for cloth diapers!
Welcome aboard Megan. It’s nice to meet you.