ARTIST BLOCK 04: WHERE DO I FIND THE TIME?

by Bob Freyer

Looking at a calendar and a clock I wish there were more days and hours. I get asked many times “How do I find the time to create”?

I tell everyone that I’m an artist when I’m asked what I do. I’m really more than just an artist. I have a full time job as a database administrator, and my most important and prized job I have is being a parent. I’m a very involved father. I’m at all the kids’ functions and extra activities they’re part of. I help coach their basketball team and spend as much time with them as possible. Now, I’m not looking for a medal or anything for being an involved father. This is what I go through to make time for my art, and I know I’m not the the only person out there doing this,

I have the luxury of being able to work from home for my full time job. This means, at lunch time I’m in the studio doing what I have to for commissions, shows and anything else that involves my art. This is also a good time to start sending out emails and following up on chats about commissions. This is my time and I try to use every moment I can in that one hour during the work day.

When the kids get home from school we discuss their day and I get them a snack. For the next 30 minutes or so I have that time to continue where I left off in the studio. After their snack we go to homework, and after that it’s their time to play with their friends. This gives me another hour or more to get back in the studio and focus on art for a while. After this is when I’m usually done for the evening.

This is Monday – Friday. If you see me setting up for a show, going to pick up prints, getting supplies or even shipping paintings out, I tend to have my kids with me. They love spending time with me, and I adore the time I spend with them, so they come with me when I have to go out. I even have the kids come in the studio with me while I paint. We share the interest in painting together.

The limited time I have during the weekdays and evenings are very limited and go very fast. On the weekends I have more time to give to painting and creating. I’m the type of person that if I don’t get to create I get very anxious. It’s very therapeutic for me and helps me relax. I do something new everyday, but this is during my lunch break.

Those who have kids will understand the importance of down time with the kids, and the importance of being at their functions. The creatives will understand the importance of having to create, it’s in our blood.

I think the idea of being able to balance it is easy, but the act of balancing it is tough, though. The last thing I want to do is sell myself short on being a parent, there’s nothing more important to me than my kids. I also can’t have the responsibilities of my job suffer, that can’t happen.

I have a routine that works for me. I just have to find those sweet spot moments that I can have to create and let my mind escape. I can’t say with a straight face that it’s always easy or goes as planned, but I make it work. It’s all about time management, and knowing when it’s appropriate to disappear for a bit.

Bob Freyer is an award-winning artist from Pittsburgh, PA who paints images from an alternate world. Since 2013, Freyer has been showcasing work in Pittsburgh and has participated in numerous shows throughout the U.S.