All three of my kids leave for school early this year. I decided my new goal is to spend the extra hour in the morning painting. As soon as I set the goal I immediately questioned it. An hour? That’s a long time. Usually I work on paintings in short spurts, allow the watercolor to dry and come back to it later. How could I paint for an entire hour?

A plan began to form in my mind. For my early morning sketchbook work, I often use a pen. What if my hour of painting included sketching with paint? The no pressure exploratory work I enjoy in my sketchbook?

Now I’m excited about my painting hour. For one thing I have a scheduled time, which will help ensure it happens, and secondly I have a plan.

My morning painting plan:

• Work from 7:30-8:30am
• Listen to an artist podcast interview
• Begin with sketchbook painting. Select two colors to paint with. Explore the shades of each and mixing of the two.
• Move on to a painting or two.

Areas to explore during my painting sessions:

• Color – get to know better the colors in my palette
• Sketching with paint
• Figure painting
• Portraits
• Ocean Painting

It wasn’t enough to declare this summer that I was going to focus on my creativity. I’ve learned I need to schedule the time and make a plan to make sure my goals are met.

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