Staying Motivated and Focused

I have been asked frequently by fellow artists and creative entrepreneurs how I stay motivated and find the time to make art while raising our young children. While I am flattered many people think I am accomplishing a lot, I sometimes feel like I am not doing enough. There is always more that could be done but I constantly remind myself that I am only one person with many responsibilities, just like everyone else. It is not easy by any stretch of the imagination! But I make my art practice and business a priority while still putting the needs of my family first. Below are some the strategies and systems I have found helpful in my art business practice that keep me motivated and focused.

Lists
There is no better way to keep me motivated and on track than a list of what I need or want to get done. I often joke that my lists have lists, which in all reality, they do.  I like to start my week by creating a "brain dump" list of all things I need or want to accomplish in the week. These things include household chores, errands, creative benchmarks, business items, and more.

Then, I organize my week by assigning my to do's to each day of the week. I try to group similar tasks on the same day or on days that I know I will have the time to successful accomplish those tasks. For example, if I know it's going to rain one day coming up, I'll schedule cleaning or paperwork for that day. If it's going to be a beautiful day, I'll run errands. You get the idea. I try to set myself up to be the most productive so I can check tasks off when completed.

This year I decided to combine my yearly business notebook (where I brainstorm ideas) with my planner. I purchased the Big Happy Planner in vertical format and it has been a game changer! Each week has space for my "brain dump" session and each day of the week has a section so I can designate which day I do certain tasks. I love that I can take the pages out and pop them back in place when I am done. You can view the planner I am using this year by clicking here.

Exercise
I know it seems counterintuitive to add another thing onto a never ending to do list, but exercise is a necessity for me. When I started to add in regular exercise to my day, it greatly impacted my ability to get more done and stay focused. By taking time for myself and moving my body, it makes me feel better about myself while providing more energy and motivation to get more done.

I also equate my exercise time to my once long commute when I was a tenured art teacher. I would drive 50+ miles one way to work and it provided me an opportunity to reflect and think. My drive was the best time to prepare for my teaching day by mentally going through all that I needed to accomplish when I arrived. I also had time to think of ways to improve my teaching and dream up projects. Now that I am a full time mom and business owner, my exercise time provides me with that same mental space to think and reflect about what I need to do or want to create.

Working Time
Another way that I stay motivated is by setting regular studio working time. Being a full time mom, it's hard to find the time, so I make it! I carve out nonnegotiable time to paint around my family's needs. For example, I wake up early to get an hour or two in the studio before my kids get up for the day. I also work after they go the bed. Even if I am exhausted after a long day, I make myself work to take advantage of the studio time. It's definitely not easy but it's easier to stick to a designated work schedule to keep myself focused.

Finding the Best Time
Another productivity tip I have discovered is to find the best time that I can successfully do a particular task. For example, I tried to exercise first thing in the morning. However, I quickly found out that it wasn't the best time for me do so. I performed better in the afternoon and could exercise while my kids played. That in turn freed up my early morning to paint in the studio before everyone else woke up.

I also categorize tasks by what I can do with my kids and what is best done with my full attention (i.e. painting). I usually run errands or clean the house with the kids. I save emails or other business related tasks for when they are sleeping or playing independently.

As my family grows and changes, I try to adapt to their needs while still striving to accomplish what I need creatively. It's definitely a work in progress that constantly needs balancing. I find it fun trying to figure out how to fit everything in. If you are an artist or business owner, how do you stay motivated and focused?

Getting Back on Track

The last two weeks have been a complete blur. So much has transpired and I have experienced almost every emotion possible: shock, grief, disbelief, regret, sadness, nervousness, disappointment, raw, excitement, and most importantly, love. I wanted to take the time to reflect on the events and appreciate the journey.

I knew when May started that it would be a very busy month. I had been working feverishly to finish my painting in time for one of my biggest art shows of the year, Salem County Arts in Bloom. But, life had other plans. On May 10th, I received an early morning phone call from my mom informing me that my Grandmom had passed away. Even though she had cancer and was battling like a true champion, we were all still in complete shock. She had just one week left of her treatments and her doctors had expressed how wonderful she was doing just the day before.

The next few days I spent grieving her death and realizing just how unpredictable life can be. I realized I had to stop my efforts of finishing my painting and take the time to work through the emotions and be with my family. I also was organizing the photograph slideshow for her funeral mass. It was so much fun looking at pictures from throughout her life and remembering all the special moments we shared together. My absolute favorite was our weekly, four generation shopping trips to Aldi's. On Fridays my mom and Grandmom would met me and my kids at Aldi's. We would all do our weekly grocery shopping, together.

My brother was flying in from Indiana for the funeral which was held on May 15th. The night he flew in, my family came over and we finished organizing things for her funeral the next day. Since he would be flying out the next day right after the funeral, Brandon and I stayed up talking until midnight. We were both exhausted but it was so nice to be able to catch up on such a short trip home.

We had my Grandmom's mass at her church, The Church of the Incarnation, in Manuta. It was a beautiful send off of her. As I was kneeling in front of her casket saying my last goodbyes, my mom joined me. I wanted to remember everything about my Grandmom and at that moment I couldn't believe I'd never see her again. After the services, we had a delicious luncheon at the Telford Inn, and as a family, we went back to her house. We reminisced, watched old home movies, and took some group pictures.

My Grandmom was cremated and on Friday, May 18th (my Mom's birthday) we buried her with my Pop-Pop at the Gloucester County Veterans Cemetery. Afterwards, our family went to lunch at Gete's Diner. Later that afternoon I began setting up for the Arts in Bloom, which started the next day. I stayed up late and got up early and somehow I was able to get everything ready in time for the big show.

The next two days were filled with great conversations with loyal customers and new faces during the Arts in Bloom tour. Even though the weekend's weather was rainy and gloomy, I still had a great turn out for the event. You can read all about this year's Arts in Bloom by clicking here.

I was too tired to take my setup down, so on Monday, as a family, we spent the morning driving around town to pick up my direction signs and visit with some friends along the way. My husband invited them to come over and see my display. I decided to extend the invitation to anyone else that would be interested, via Facebook. That night, I was open from 4-8PM and had a great turn out of people who wanted to come but the weekend was just too busy. I was so glad that I kept the display up an extra day for others to enjoy and might do it again next year.

I spent the next two days disassembling my display and putting everything back where it belonged. I had just finished in time to get ready for my husband's cousin's wedding. We had a amazing rehearsal dinner at DiPaolo's Ristorante in Pennsgrove. The next day was the wedding which was held at Masso's Red Pine in Glassboro. It was a spectacular night celebrating the marriage of Bobby and Noelle! Everything was so beautiful! You can see pictures below.

The next day was spent prepping for a surprise birthday party for my mom! Before my Grandmom had passed away, we planned to do it Memorial Day weekend but with everything that had happened and other plans possibly being made, we weren't sure it was going to come to together. However, things fell into place and I spent the night making side dishes and decorating my house with my sister. On Sunday morning, I picked up mom's birthday cake from Terrigno's Bakery in Bridgeton, a special family tradition of ours. My mom was completely surprised! It was so nice showering her with love after a stressful and sad couple of weeks.

So now, here I am, looking to get back on track after a whirlwind two weeks. I wanted to write this blog post to appreciate everything that has happened, good and bad. To give myself perspective and share my experiences with you. I am so grateful for the family and friends who took the time to send a card, cook us dinner, or deliver a dessert during the wake of my Grandmom's passing. It is truly appreciated! I am looking forward to getting back into the studio and finishing my painting. Stay tuned for details about the big reveal.

Some of my favorite pictures of my Grandmom and I

My Grandmom, July 11, 1956

Me and Brandon

Me, my brother, Brandon, and my sister, Dana

My cousins

My Grandparent's Headstone

My Arts in Bloom Display

The Groom, Bobby, and my husband, Chester

Bobby, Noelle, Me, and Chester

Chester and I

 

Why Thanksgiving is My Favorite Holiday

I know a lot of people prefer Christmas for the beautiful trees, lights, and presents but my absolute favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. Since I was little girl, I have always looked forward to Thanksgiving over any other holiday throughout the year. It holds so much meaning and special memories.

Growing up, almost every Thanksgiving was spent at my Aunt Ann and Uncle Norman's home on the Timber Creek. My aunt was the epitome of the perfect hostess. Amazing appetizers, delicious entrees, and decadent desserts, all served on beautiful cut crystal platters with real linen napkins. My uncle would serve up some virgin cocktails for the kids, or slip us a real fuzzy navel, while we played shuffle board and darts in their den. As a family we would dine together under their beautiful chandeliers while taper candles lit the table. I am so thankful for those special moments.

Now a days, my husband and I host Thanksgiving at our home. We always look forward to having our families come together to share the holiday with us. It is so important to consciously acknowledge the many blessings that are present in our lives everyday. Thanksgiving provides us the opportunity to reflect, as a family, on all of the things we are so lucky to have. Another aspect that I love about Thanksgiving is that there are no expectations, only being together. I can't think of anything better than getting together, eating an awesome meal, and enjoying each other's company.

What are your plans for Thanksgiving this year? 

Leave me a comment, I would love to hear about them!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our First Family Vacation

My husband and I hadn't taken a vacation since our "baby moon" right before our daughter, Courtney, was born. Life got busy with becoming a family, large home renovations, and just day to day living. We realized we have to make time for new experiences and creating special memories since time had gone by so fast from our last adventure. This past weekend we took our first family vacation to the Jersey shore to celebrate Courtney''s 4th birthday.

We stayed at a family friend's beautiful beach house in North Wildwood which was just a few steps from the boardwalk! The weather was absolutely perfect for the end of October, 75 degrees. We spent time exploring the area, eating delicious food, playing in the ocean, and searching for shells. The house we were staying in was an adventure in of itself for our kids. They had a blast running from room to room and discovering everything the house had to offer. It was a wonderful weekend spent together as a family!

Below are some pictures I took during the weekend.

Taking Time for Family

I took a short break from art the last eight days as my sister-in-law, Windi, and my four month old niece, Brooklin, stayed with us. My brother, Brandon, works on a professional NHRA Funny Car drag racing team and was racing on the east coast so the girls flew out to spend time with him as well as visit with our family.

Over the past week we did short little trips around our area. We fed the chicken's at a friend's farm, picked raspberries, went to the Cohanzick Zoo, the local Amish Market, drove around the back lanes of my husband's family farm, and went to a few different ice cream stands. We had bigger plans in mind but three kids on different schedules and Brooklin NOT liking to travel in her car seat, we compromised and stayed local.

This past weekend I also hosted a luncheon for my family to come meet the baby. We had lots of delicious food and the festivities turned into an all day event. We spent time eating, talking, swinging and picking raspberries. It was a great day!

I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend so much quality time with Windi and Brooklin. We had a lot of laughs and really enjoyed being together. It's definitely a visit we won't forget! Below are some pictures from our adventures.

Christmas Traditions

Only a few days remain before Christmas and I have been busy getting ready. My studio has turned into gift wrapping central and my Saginaw Watertown slide table has already proven very handy (click here to read more about it).

Growing up we would spend our Christmas Eve at my Aunt Ann's. She was always an amazing hostess with delicious dishes served on crystal platters and linen napkins. My Uncle Norman would serve us virgin cocktails in fancy glasses. We'd play shuffle board, darts and open our presents. They are such fond memories! 

When our daughter was born we started a new tradition. Every Christmas morning I make a large breakfast for my family. We feast on pancakes, scrapple, eggs, sausage, and pan fried potatoes. It's definitely a new favorite! After breakfast we exchange gifts and relax. Last year it was so warm we went for a walk in short sleeves!

What are some of your Christmas traditions? I'd love hear about them, please comment below!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

Now I know almost everyone's favorite holiday is Christmas for the presents, lights and the beautifully decorated trees. But mine is Thanksgiving! There's something about getting the whole family together to enjoy delicious food and each other's company that can't be beat. There's no stress over buying gifts or wrapping them. Just the people you love the most giving thanks for all the blessings the past year has brought.

We enjoyed our garden's harvest with vegetables and fruit we grew earlier in the year. We had sweet potatoes, corn, green bean casserole, coleslaw (from my father-in-laws cabbage) and mashed potatoes (from our friend's potato farm). We even had raspberry juice that we harvested and froze to enjoy throughout the winter.

Below are some pictures from our Thanksgiving feast.

Custom Recipe Box

I collaborated with A Whole New Light to create this one of a kind recipe box. It was repaired, primed, painted, distressed, a design painted on it, and antiqued. Beautiful hardware was added to finish the piece.

Wedding Signs

September was dedicated to creating commissioned wedding signs and other details. If you are interested in having a custom sign designed for your next event, click here for more information

The above photos were taken by Dana Zarin Studios, LLC

Bridal Shower Signs

This past weekend I helped with the decorations for the my sister-in-law's bridal shower. We went for a country picnic theme with potted plants wrapped in burlap, sunflowers and antiques for displays. Below are some of the signs that I made for her special day. If you would like me to make a custom chalkboard sign for your next event, please visit my website by clicking here.

Driveway Markers

I will paint on just about anything and yesterday's project proves it! On Memorial Day I spent the afternoon painting driveway markers for my cousin-in-laws, Bobby and Annaliese. You might remember them from their engagement and wedding signs I painted a couple of years ago.

They decided to repurpose these beautiful rocks that were once piled up in their front garden. They buried two sets of rocks at the entrance of both driveways and asked me to paint them. Below are the progression pictures from this project.

Have something you want me to paint at your home? Contact me at: kimberlydenglish@gmail.com