Mat Dubé
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How to Make Time for Your Art

2/9/2014

9 Comments

 
By Mat Dubé · Facebook, Twitter, Google+
Picture
My bachelor apartment + art studio in Ottawa

One thing I've struggled with as an artist over the years is how to divide my time and energy between my personal life, my job and my art.  More often than I'd like, making art has fallen to the bottom of my to-do list.

A couple of years ago I took a look at how I was spending my time and money, and decided to make some big life changes. 
For me it was all about lowering expenses and I started thinking about every purchase in terms of work hours required.  For example, before buying a new pair of shoes I would ask myself "how many hours will I have to work to pay for these?".  This new way of seeing things allowed me to considerably lower my spending. 

Spend Less = Work Less = More Time for Art


Recently, my wife and I moved into a cheap 300 sq. foot bachelor apartment in downtown Ottawa to save money and to eliminate time wasted on commuting to work.  To give myself even more free time, I decided not to have a phone or a TV in the apartment.  So far it's been going really well - I've been able to start this blog, completely revamp my website, make new art and participate in more art shows.

I don't necessarily recommend that you follow the path I've taken, but if being an artist is your dream and you're finding it hard to find the time to make it happen, I think you should look at how you're spending your time, why you're working to earn all that money and then make the decision to prioritize art over all of it.  Unfortunately no one is going to come along and give you extra free time - you need to make it happen for yourself!

If you're an artist, I'd love to hear how you make time for your art - leave a comment!

Picture
My bachelor apartment + art studio in Ottawa
9 Comments
Danielle
2/9/2014 03:44:00 am

It's been a lot of work but definitely worth it!

Reply
Si Bollé link
2/9/2014 04:31:39 am

Dream, make everything in your mind and than as soon as you get a little time : Just do it! You're not satisfied? Work and work and overpaint or draw or make..but go one and just do it...between cooking time ...on the bus during your lunch-time...
Don't think just do!

Reply
Mat Dubé
2/9/2014 06:33:27 am

You're exactly right, thanks for your comment Si Bollé!

Reply
JacoDub link
2/9/2014 06:21:07 am

C'est bien de prendre des mesures concrètes pour affirmer ses convictions de simplicité volontaire, bref de joindre le geste à la parole. Plate cependant de ne pouvoir joindre son fiston quand on voudrait lui parler... (Juste une opinion.)

Reply
Mat
2/9/2014 06:23:42 am

Haha, c'est bien dit ça monsieur Dubé!

Reply
Justy link
2/9/2014 08:31:03 pm

I divide my time between a day job and my art job...I work every day and every night..well, wait, Monday nights I work on my social media and art groups logicstics. I'd rather not have a day job but don't we all. Great blog Matt..it has me rethinking my two bedroom apartment.

Reply
Mat
2/11/2014 06:31:00 am

Thanks for your comment Justy! Yeah for sure it would be nice not to have a day job! Either way, small living spaces definitely have many perks.

Reply
Veronique
2/9/2014 11:07:48 pm

I have also been struggling with the same time management issue in the past. I realized that I spent most of my free time cooking elaborated meal every nights when I came back from work…Now, I'm only cooking basic recipes and it saves me so much time!

Reply
Mat
2/11/2014 06:33:47 am

Haha! It's true, cooking takes up so much time... And then you have all those dishes to clean!

Reply



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    Hi, I'm Mat Dubé, a contemporary figurative artist from Canada.  This is a blog about my art, life and travels.  You can read more about me here.

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