Flipping into the art unconscious–not thinking too much

A friend once told me that we only use maybe 5% of the brain. When I paint, I go into what I call the “zone”, I flip into some part of that other 95% of the brain–the “art unconscious.” After all this time, I’m able to trust that that is when I do my best art work.

I’ve realized that when I think too much about what I am painting or try to analyze the painting that I am working on, I get into a whole lot of trouble.

However, I find that flipping into that other 95% of the brain is always exhausting.

Balancing art and life–getting on the art planet

I’ve asked writers and other painters how long they can actually work (the actual writing or painting etc.) in a day. These are artists that have at least published their second book or gotten through their second one-person show–artists that are in it for the “long haul.”

For artists in it for the “long haul,” who work almost everyday, who know that their art is their vocation, it is always a challenge to figure out the right balance between one’s art and the rest of one’s life.

These artists almost always say 4 hours (this does not include the hours and hours of “artistic incubation” that take place to make these 4 hours of actual writing, painting etc. happen, see earlier post on “artistic incubation.” Neither does it include all the time devoted to the “business” part of art, which takes a great deal of time.)

Most people would say 4 hours, well that’s ridiculous, that’s nothing. Actually it’s not. (Yes, I know, this is when most people, parents, loved ones, significant others start screaming, “4 hours! Get a real job!!!”…calm down, relax, start getting on the “art planet!”)

The drool stage

I find that 4 hours (not including the artistic incubation part, and the business part) is just right. If I work 5-6 hours, I’m exhausted, and any more than that, I get to what I call the “drool stage”, where I’m beyond exhaustion, and can’t do much of anything, except, sit, stare into space and drool! I hate being in the “drool stage.”

The trick for me is to balance my day, and to know when to stop right before I get to the “drool stage.” Sometimes I stop too early, sometimes I stop too late, and sometimes I get it just right. Love those days when I get it just right.

Mary Baker