No matter what season it is, now it’s a good time for artful spring cleaning. Physical and emotional clutter and debris can cloud the creative mind. In this article I suggest some of the areas that may need your attention to declutter, reorganize, and downsize. You may want to evaluate how much useless stuff is in your cabinets, computer, art studio and your life. When your life is free from clutter you can focus on what’s important — producing the best art you can!
Phase 1
* If you have any art materials that are unhealthy or unusable dispose of them safely.
* Donate unwanted but usable art materials or equipment to an artist or teacher, thrift shop, after school program or community art center. Check out the Freecycle Network at freecycle.org, a grassroots nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) items for free in their own towns and neighborhoods. It’s all about reuse and keeping things out of landfills. It has almost 10,000 members around the world.
* After you have minimized your materials take time to organize the ones you keep so they are easy to find when you need them.
* Deal with unfinished or outdated artwork that is taking up valuable space. Decide whether to rework it or give it away.
Phase 2
* Give your space a good dusting, cleaning and disinfection.
* Give your walls and floors a clean scrubbing or fresh coat of paint.
* Upgrade your lighting.
* Improve your ventilation system.
* Replace or repair any ignored equipment or machines if necessary.
* Add more joy and positive energy to your space with a comfortable chair, plants or new audio speakers.
* Consider expanding your studio or moving to a new location.
Phase 3
* Clean your Internet browser. You may have items that are clogging up your system and keeping your computer from running as fast as it could. Remove “cookies” in addition to your download history.
* Delete duplicate and unwanted photos from your computer and phone.
* Update your art inventory list.
* Give your website a checkup. Update your biography, resume/CV and artist’s statement.
* Delete old posts that you regret posting on social media.
* Unfriend and disconnect with social media connections who have a habit of posting negative posts.
* Evaluate your Art Business Plan and revise if necessary.
Phase 4
* Examine the areas in your social and professional life that need to be decluttered.
* Decide if it’s time to resign from any volunteer positions that no longer hold your passion and could be draining your energy.
* Review your professional relationships and determine which ones you need to renew, resolve, restore or remove.
* Determine which tedious activities you can delegate and hire a professional or get an intern to assist you.
I started spring cleaning at the end of February and the beginning of March 2021 when I started noticing a creative block rising. So I’ve been cleaning out my painting studio, my home office studio, and our home to get ready for Spring and Summer. Did a lot of donating. I also dumped old computer files and photos into my trash on my iMac and emptied them forever. I noticed that I started to feel lighter emotionally because I was letting go of unnecessary and unused items that I have saved for over a year and maybe more (what a year in 2020). The most important value that I discovered while Spring cleaning, was discovering new concepts and ideas and started to draw and sketch again. I also gave myself allowance and a pass to unplug from social media during this time of “Artful Cleaning” and gave myself gratitude to feel “ok” about just being in the moment and not be bothered to chase being “liked” on Instagram and Facebook. Ultimately, it was finding balance and renewing my creativity. I am excited to go back to my painting studio this week. Renee, Thank you for your wonderful article “Artful Spring Cleaning”.
Pia, Thank you very much for sharing your incredibly powerful and productive Spring Cleaning experience. I’m delighted to know you were inspired to create new concepts and start to draw and sketch. You offer excellent advice for all of us, especially giving ourselves permission to unplug from social media. Bravo to you! I wish you continued creative bliss, balance and renewal. 🙂
I am going to propose a Swap and Sip event at our local art association. We all have art supplies we never use but someone else may think they are just what they need. I think it would be fun to have the artists get together to swap, maybe bring treats and beverages to get to know one another better. And then donate any left overs after the swap to the art association. It is our “off season” here in my town so people may have more time to participate. Thanks for the suggestion, Renee!
Kay, thank you for you comment. Your idea is fantastic. I love the title of the event “Swap and Sip”. I’m sure it will be a huge success. And, your paintings are gorgeous. It’s obvious you have found your signature style and are enjoying pure creative bliss.