as a self-employed artist
I have been uncharacteristically committed to my August art retreat which has surprised me, but I think it has to do with feeling my business, and me as a business owner, have reached a level of maturity that is refreshingly robust. Tempting as it is to say I can’t take the time off to pursue my own work, or that I should be focussing on Birds of the AT, I am resolute in taking some much-needed space to explore and do something different – which may well include doing nothing! August is a quiet time for most, with holidays and family time requiring priority, and I’m happy to hop on board with my own version.
Preparations
I recently listened to a short podcast about how to get your stockists to reorder, and how it’s not badgering them to remind them to check their stock levels. I made an order form – she says airily; it took me about 4 hours to get it right – so it was simple for my existing stockists to top up their birdwatching logbooks, and I put in my email that I was having a break over the summer so received some warm wishes as well as a couple of orders. Just saying I would be away from my desk (for an enigmatic and undisclosed period) felt quite a challenge so I think that means it was a good thing to do!
So that it feels like a proper change of pace, I have bought some new bedding and crockery to use through the month. Being based at home means it’s easy to lapse into the same old habits, and having done a couple of staycations before, it’s amazing how switching up a couple of things can make it much easier to adopt a different routine for the duration.
As previously mentioned, I have a large pad of paper and an easel to work at which will be very different to my usual way of working. Happily, I’m very near the end of my Leuchtturm sketchbook and my general scribbles-about-everything notebook, so when I go back to work in September, I will have a crisp new set of books to start. For me, September has always been a
I do have some birds to paint for the Appalachian Trail logbook but I’m waiting on the finalised list, which given the summer season being so busy, and the aforementioned holiday situation with any organisation, I’m going to paint some of the ones I would like to do anyway, and leave it at that until I have confirmation of the species to include.
I’ve got extra shifts at Charleston as they are trialing 7-day opening over the summer, and I am also running Soho Life Drawing while Ann, the founder, enjoys some time at home in California, so it will be fun to spend some time at Firle and in London, and tuck up in my little studio space and indulge in some proper art time.
