ART AS A PRACTICE

It’s often said that art-making is a practice, something that we do consistently and with a sense of dedication, perhaps even reverence. For most artists this connection to practice is what helps them get closer to that long-held vision they hold for their work. But for many artists there are times when consistent practice just isn’t possible, at least not in the way they would like. I’m often bumping up against this myself as I navigate between coaching, facilitating online programs, and art-making – oh, yes, and enjoying my full and wonderful life. 

After winding up my 12-week online Group Coaching Program – with an incredible group of inspiring and courageous artists – it was time to reacquaint myself with my art practice. I know this cycle well by now and have learned to prepare myself for the reentry, laying down solid ground to work from. This preparation really helps me to find a path into my work without the heaps of discomfort that usually insists on arriving. Experiencing more peace in the creative process is always a good thing. It’s not always easy making our art.

Working in a sketchbook, however, has always been a place of peace and discovery for me. There is such a spacious and personal feeling to those pages – they welcome me every time I arrive, much like returning to a warm home. My sketchbook is my companion, my witness, and my secret-keeper. I can express and create anything on its pages. My only rule: there are no rules. I accept and indulge my compulsions, ideas and every effort to show up on the page. 

This engagement with my sketchbook sets me up beautifully to access my studio work again after a break. Not only does it help me to warm up, but I also tap into my reservoir of creative energy – the backlog of ideas and connections that will inform my future work. After all, in the time that has passed I have changed, assimilated new information, sensibilities and imagery. This is now waiting to be brought into the work, but it’s not yet realized and needs some outworking. The sketchbook is the place to connect into this. But what makes a sketchbook practice work for us and why is it so helpful to our development as artists?

Making art can be a serious affair. It’s demanding at times and certainly pushes us to be braver, stronger and more truthful – with ourselves and the work. We need to be fully present and manage many things simultaneously. And, we do all this without the assurance that what we’re doing is valuable, needed, or worth the investment of our time. Artists are driven by passion and necessity – our work is what connects us to our authenticity and wellbeing. So it’s important to us to make it. And that importance can in itself become a barrier to getting to the work. It means so much to us that we experience a real sense of loss and desperation when we’re not making our art. Whether it is due to circumstances beyond our control or our own fear and resistance, the loss feels the same.

A sketchbook carries none of that for us – at least it shouldn’t. It’s a tool of learning and practice. Finished works from a sketchbook will never be more than what they are – studies, experiments, documentations, and sketchbook pages. They don’t demand anything more. They simply invite the artist into the present moment.

Sketchbook work also allows us to experience what detachment to results and what making art for product feels like. All too often when we create our art we’re thinking about outcomes, viewers, showing, selling, likes. We’re focusing on the ending without being present for the process – being where we are with the work. And when we’re not present, we’re in a state of disconnection – which is the exact opposite of where we want to be when making our art.

We practice being in connection in our sketchbooks. We practice presence.

There is also an opportunity to really let loose and do things that we wouldn’t necessarily allow ourselves to do in our studio work – although it would be better if we could, and I’m continually striving for that. And sketchbooks help. It’s providing a safe space to play, invent, get wild, follow compulsions and obsessions, experiment with techniques and ideas. 

We practice risking when we work in a sketchbook. We learn through radical experimentation that only good can come from trying new things.

A sketchbook practice over time allows an artist to witness themselves and their development as an artist. The sketchbook becomes a repository of influences, inspiration, ideas and concepts. It contains the building blocks of an artist’s voice and documents their history and progression. When a sketchbook practice also includes journaling and reflective writing on the artist’s work and philosophy, then the purpose and resource is even more integrated and beneficial. 

At the time of writing this blog post I am on day 7 of a 30 day Sketchbook Challenge that I created, first for myself, and then invited others to join me. I knew I needed a way to return to my studio work, to establish a rhythm and forge a path forward. So the Insight Creative 30 Day Sketchbook Challenge was the perfect answer and action to take. The fact that hundreds of other artists felt the same and jumped in with me is a testament to just how valuable a sketchbook practice is. Most artists know this but often find staying consistent difficult. A commitment like this challenge helps us to establish a new habit and solidify the connection to our practice. 

Perhaps you’ve been thinking of establishing your own sketchbook practice or want to reconnect with one that has gone quiet for you. You’re welcome to join the Insight Creative Sketchbook Challenge at any time. If the 30 days of this challenge have passed (June 12th is the final day), then maybe think of inviting a few other artists to join you in a sketchbook challenge of your own. Being accountable to one another’s artistic growth is a powerful way to move everyone forward in their art practice. And, it’s so uplifting to share our experiences with others.

You can find and follow my daily posts of my Sketchbook Challenge work, along with some thoughts and prompts for the day, on Facebook and Instagram.