We asked friends on Facebook, do you have a favorite ritual you perform before you begin your creative activity? Do you take a walk, meditate, do yoga, turn on your favorite music, or drink a cup of tea as you get your creative juices flowing? Enjoy some of the replies we received.
You may also want to read The Rituals and Routines of Famous Artists which includes the rituals of Beethoven, Picasso, Miro, Matisse and others.
“I tidy my studio: I need clarity. I bring my cup of tea. I listen to pop, classical music or blues, according to my current mood. I place the materials that I am going to use. Since I paint several works simultaneously, I focus on one canvas, trying to revive the emotion this work suggested to me, in order to be able to portray it.” ~ Cristina del Rosso cristinadelrosso.com
“I clean my kitchen, go through my emails, then do a 30 minute workout before going into my studio. The first two activities clears out the “to do” list that circles in my mind and the third activity brings a focus to my creative thoughts and physical energy into my body.” ~ Eva Marie Restel evamarierestel.com
“My ritual begins with a cup of coffee along with nuts and berries. Then I do a vigorous flow style yoga followed by a meditation practice. I’m almost always painting in my mind during my yoga practice and can’t wait to get into my studio to start painting. Once I set to it, I can paint for hours and time is irrelevant! The painting is a moving meditation.” ~ Caroline Karp carolinekarpartist.com
“The day always begins with an inspection of each of my roses in the garden. I then have a cup of the very delicate Madame Flavour White (Peony Leaf) Tea with Rose Petals. I only ever listen to one CD when I paint and that is Rivals by countertenor David Hansen. This glorious Baroque music and the sublime high countertenor voice transports me to the place where divine roses grow and it is only then that I can enter into and capture the inner world of the rose.” ~ Michelle Endersby michelleendersbyart.com
“The drive to my studio takes just enough time to put my creative hat on; once in the studio I sit with a freshly made coffee and contemplate the work in progress. This can take anything from the first sip of coffee and up to half an hour; showing me if the piece is working and where it is going. This reflection time allows me to move the work on and gets me working again.” ~ Ashar asharart.co.uk
“When I’m at my studio in the country I wake with the sun rise and put on music depending on my mood. I have two eggs for breakfast and am in the studio by 8:00. I work till noon, eat lunch and often take a nap. Then back in the studio till 5:00, then I cook dinner, my down time. I often am back in the studio till 8:30. It’s about the same in New Orleans studio but I’m more social and go out to hear music often. The two studios balance solitude with social time, it works well for me. ~ Craig Crawford crawfordconservationinc.org
“My most important ritual, after a full night’s sleep, is to meditate until my mind and body are relaxed and ’empty’. By being empty, I am able to let the floodgates open to creativity. All the crap and the stress from life has been released, and all the beauty, healing, and meaning of the arts takes its place. Best feeling in the world. It’s like prayer.” ~ Tracy Ellyn tracyellyn.com
“For me, there’s nothing quite as inspiring as a quick nature walk in a nearby preserve. If I have more time, I take a ten minute drive to Jones Beach (Long Island, NY), and take a glorious walk on the boardwalk. If weather permits, I’ll walk barefoot at the shore. Then I can’t wait to get home, turn on Relaxation or Spanish Guitar Pandora, break out a canvas and paints, and start creating.” ~ Debbie Viola debbieviola.com
“I do have rituals before a studio session. As an advanced yogi, I practice in class every morning. To keep my dog, Arnold happy and chilled out, we do an hour walk in the woods. When I go into the studio, I review the current work in progress and before any painting, I meditate for 20 minutes.When I spiritually recalibrate and reboot, my creative journey is usually successful.” ~ Eugenie Diserio eugeniediserioart.com
Georgia O’Keeffe told an interviewer in 1966 “I like to get up when the dawn comes. The dogs start talking to me and I like to make a fire and maybe some tea and then sit in bed and watch the sun come up. The morning is the best time, there are no people around. My pleasant disposition likes the world with nobody in it.” After breakfast at 7:00 AM, O’Keeffe would then work in her studio for the rest of the day. Her last meal of the day was a light supper at 4:30 PM, followed by an evening drive through her beloved countryside.
I wake up early in the morning and make my coffee, while the coffee is getting ready I will sit in the sun, than I Love to cuddle up back to bed with my coffee and read my emails, read the news.
After I will meditate and do my exercises, clean up my place and go into my studio,, with a small break for lunch and work until dusk. After I will carry the painting I am working on with me so I can
Look at it and scrutinise all night, I truly love my painting days.
Hiske, that seems like a heavenly way to spend a day!