7 Tricks for Making Time for Art

Often when we first think about making art, we have grand goals and get overwhelmed. It's important to make art that fits our schedule so we can start small and build from our successes.

[celticpeasant]

Actually I absolutely love every single thing you do and it is so wonderful to see how this journey has grown over the years. You are amazingly inspirational. It is very hard for me to pick a favourite. I love the pop ups and tuck outs. I love the 3D and layering effects. Thank you so much for being here and offering the Inchie Challenge each year.

[cmolona]

my fav idea is the pop up art and flaps... my suggestion ...I'm determined to teach myself how to knit in 2025 ...start small. I cast on seven stitches and knitted several rows to make a 2" square.... and I got it.. Your idea of starting small worked ... thank you for your lessons and your inspiration

[SixthSun]

I love your healing ways. You entice all my senses in this video when you display your small bits (circles stir up ideas!), build & combine them into bigger treasures. I especially come alive with pop-ups, flaps, & accordion/concertina booklets! Your examples are so inspirational; fold out flowers! Monotones with transparent colors...all that you do gradually heals different parts of me. Throughout the years, you shine. Thank you helping me through inner shadows and beacons of light! Muchisimas gracias, preciosa mujer. / Thank you so much, precious woman. ✨🪷✨

[bhunting]

I think my next adventure will be accordion booklets! You are so encouraging, thank you. Yes, I have been playing with Big Blooms and small blooms since early December 2024. So much fun. thank you Amy for all you do! And if you haven't joined The Circle yet?? What are you waiting for? It's a great community!

[janicerobinson]

I like your idea from your newsletter, website, and Wednesday Slow Drawing free classes where you prep light washes of water color on the small, varied sizes of watercolor paper. Then use those later to draw on top with an ink pen or ink brush. 💖love Amy's ideas!

[Janie]

When I have time for art and make something that didn't turn out, instead of throwing it away, feeling bad about it, and giving up on it, I tell myself that I must repurpose it into something else. That usually means that I gesso over it and repurpose it into a small concertina book, or cut it into circles or squares and/or use it in a collage or greeting card. Gesso over watercolor usually turns out quite beautiful!

[bellap]

I love everything that you share for me to get going in art. It’s true that when I work little it’s very satisfying. ❤👩‍🎨

[audreygibson]

I like the 'make it fun' trick. I need to play more. You inspire the art in me. Thanks!

[sashaz]

Love the start small and build big, collage looks like fun . I’m dividing my large pages in my 9x12 journal into smaller blocks ( 2x3 or z4x5) so I can work small and practice

[iamchasingbutterflies]

Wonderful tips! I like to keep pre-cut 2x2 or 3x3 pieces ready for slow drawing Wednesdays, inchie challenge, etc. I collect the drawings in a nice wood box to make cards, tags. I won Little Book of Wonder course, so I'm excited to learn about pop ups and more! This process of creating small art helps me experiment & play! Thank you, Amy!

[sharonbaker]

My favorites of your tips were prep the cards beforehand, and explore the same subject multiply times in different ways. Sometimes I like to slow scribble several lines across my small sketchbook page and then try to see an image in the lines and spaces to pull out and enhance. (Or, just color in the spaces like a stained glass window, or draw patterns in the spaces._

[lindahigham]

Hello 🤗 Amy #1 I love the "Do the same thing many different ways and times" The "What If's" so to speak and working small also #2 Set a timer for 15 mins cause I don't always have a hour some days and this way I did make some Art if only for 15mins 🤗🩷