“Creativity takes courage.”
~Henri Matisse

Creating is one of the most pure activities in an artist’s life. I know for me, when I am creating I am most myself. It’s not more apparent until I am drawn away from it, whether it be my 9-5 job, my procrastination or filler activities, such as, surfing aimlessly on the web.

During such procrastination, I can feel the constrictions and the walls closing in on my creativity. I think this is why I often draw on the train during my morning commutes. I want to claim back some of that time; however I am coming to the chilling conclusion that I am my worst time waster.

We have to identify the problem before we can address it.
I am making the hard decision to try and right my own ship. Many people have told me that I get to spend a lot of time on my fine art and they wished they could do the same. The truth be told is that I am only scratching the surface of what I am capable of. I know I can do more and I want to do more. 
I have read many books on the subject of time management. These books mention helpful principles, such as, the 80/20 rule. This is a rule to spend 80 percent of your time doing the 20 percent of the most important things in your day. An example would be that if you had a “To Do” list of 20 items, you should concentrate 80 percent of your time and energy items 1-4. This is helpful and those books are great. The real truth is that these books and other resources are helpful but not the true solution.
What is the true solution? 
I can only dive into my own unique issue but I suspect that this will apply to most artists. I am searching for the answers to my lack of “creative time” in my day outside of myself. Deep down, I know the solution is within. Do I want the procrastinating activity more that the exhilaration I get when a painting is finished? Does flipping through television channels or surfing the web usually create anything other than stress when I know I have a painting to work on?
This morning I am turning the magnifying glass on me. I will not let myself get in the way of my art, one of the most pure activities of my life. My art is what I have loved since my most earliest memories of life. 
To my artists friends, whether you are a painter, photographer, musician, sculptor, writer, chef, or anyone that creates for the love of the creation; I have this quote for you by Winston Churchill (who was a very good watercolorist) :

When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.’

Let your Light Shine,