Behind the Easel
Behind the Easel: 5 Habits That Transformed My Art Practice
Something shifted when I finally said out loud: “I’m a painter.” It wasn’t just about confidence; it was about changing how I showed up in my studio. I went from being haphazard and doubtful to actually treating my art like my work. And honestly? It’s changed everything.
Here are five things I now do differently as a practicing artist.
1. I Treat My Tools with Respect
For years, I was terrible about leaving brushes in murky water cups, letting paint dry in clumps, and wasting half my palette. Now? I treat my tools like business partners. I invested in a stay-wet palette (life changing), clean my brushes properly, and store my paints with more intention. Taking care of my tools feels like taking care of my craft, also that stuff is expensive!
2. I Track The Process
I’m not a linear painter. I bounce between commissions, ideas sparked from dreams, and half-finished canvases that suddenly call me back. To keep all that organized, I built a Trello board that tracks every painting, idea, canvas in stock, hours worked, and even expenses.
It may sound rigid, seriously, this structure actually gives me more freedom. I don’t feel guilty about jumping between projects, because everything is recorded. Nothing gets lost, and I can see the bigger picture of my body of work.
3. I Record the Process
Not perfectly, but intentionally. I try to snap photos of paintings in different stages and jot down notes about the work time. I’ve realized that collectors and galleries don’t just want to see a finished piece; they want to be part of the journey. Sharing process builds connection. And sometimes, those messy in-between shots capture the spirit of the work even more than the polished final.
4. I Warm Up and Schedule Studio Time
Turns out, creativity doesn’t just strike like lightning; you have to meet it halfway. I schedule painting time in my planner, and even if I’m not “feeling it,” I show up. If I’m blocked, I do warm-up exercises: journaling, scribbles, free-painting, or even just gessoing a stack of canvases. Sometimes I’ll paint the edges or trim of finished pieces. The act of brush-to-surface is enough to shake something loose and get things flowing much better.
5. I Follow The Artist’s Way (and Take Myself on Dates)
Every morning, I journal. Not always perfectly, not always in the same notebook (I keep five or six going at once), but enough to clear the cobwebs. And I take myself on what Julia Cameron calls Artist Dates. Inspiration is everywhere: second-hand stores, the aisles of my favourite art supply shop, murals in a new neighbourhood, a walk by the ocean, light dancing through the trees.
A lot of my work draws from memories, the highs and lows of parenthood and processing different kinds of life's grief, but I’m constantly sparked by these fresh experiences. And, these dates keep me curious, playful, and connected to the world around me.
Final Thoughts
These shifts might look small on paper, cleaning brushes, writing in journals, organizing Trello boards, but together they’ve transformed the way I practice art. They remind me that I’m not just “messing around with paint.” I’m a painter, with a practice that matters.
If you’re a fellow creative (or even just someone who’s learning to treat their passion with more respect), maybe these ideas will spark something for you too. And if you’re an art collector or gallery, know that every piece I create carries not just brushstrokes, but stories, practices, and little rituals of care.
Thanks for following along. And seriously, if you have your own creative habits or quirks, share them in the comments. I’d love to be inspired and learn from your best ideas.
If you are curious about working together on a project or commission, please connect with me here.