"Day at the Beach 3" by Kevin Brewerton on Zatista.com
Say what you will about winter (and I have), it’s certainly good for creative productivity. There’s nothing like long nights and freezing temperatures to keep you anchored at your desk or easel for long periods of time. My wife and I whiled away more than our fair share of hours during the winter months – me typing away, her painting diligently.
"Summer Shade" by S. Josephine Weaver on Zatista.com
But now that it’s getting nice out I have a question for all you artists out there – how do you do it? It’s torture for me to be indoors right now, but at least I know I’m in good company. In studios all around the world, artists are forgoing the vitamin D they need and staying indoors in order to create.
"Mirror Mountain" by Jennifer Childs on Zatista.com
Obviously, there are many artists out there who prefer to work en plein air, probably for this very reason. That, and they find landscapes particularly moving. For the rest of you, fill us in on your motivation – what do you do to stay on top of your work when the sun is shining, streams are gurgling, and barbecues are firing up on nearby patios?
"Untitled Landscape #11" by Steven Miller on Zatista.com
Personally, I could really use some insight because the closest I can get to working outdoors is to write articles about landscape artists. And truthfully, after a long New England winter and spring, I need something to keep me honest. Knowing that scenes like these are just out there waiting for me is a bit much!
"Zen" by Nicholas Bell on Zatista.com
So, don’t be shy. Step up and tell us how you do it!
DON’T stay indoors when the weather is wonderful and the neighbors are grilling. Who says you should?? Life is so very short, and every experience is potential fodder for your creative work, whether it seems so at the time or not. To deny yourself the pleasures of a beautiful summer afternoon outdoors is to deny yourself the very foundation of creative endeavor. Nourish your soul with what you really want to do, and it will repay you later at your easel or computer. A happy, fulfilled artist will be a prolific artist when the time is right.
Linda said it perfectly and fortunately my particular style of photography allows me to be outdoors more often than not. However when editing calls and I must remain indoors despite the lure of a beautiful day, I find that hunkering down in a cafe with music in my ears, helps me to tune everything out except for the task at hand.