As an independent artist, I am self-motivated and a one-person team. One of the biggest challenges I face is managing a long to-do list while maintaining the patience to tackle each task one step at a time. It’s not as easy as one might think, but prioritization and balance make all the difference.
Creating a New Website
Building my new website has been an enormous project. When I worked as a Creative Director, a project like this would involve a team of designers, developers, and marketers. Now, it’s just me—developing the information architecture, learning how to use Shopify, shooting new photos of my art, optimizing images for faster loading, creating meta descriptions with ChatGPT, and integrating WHCC for print-on-demand services.
After six weeks of intense work (while also managing other projects I’ll share soon), I’ve had to shift my focus to preparing for my upcoming art show at the Hallberg Center in Wyoming, Minnesota.
Prioritization: Website vs. Art Show
I really want to finish my website. I still need to create collection pages, finalize product pages, incorporate pricing and sizes, and set up WHCC pages for fine art prints. It’s a big undertaking. But with my art show opening in just a month, I need to ensure all my artwork—both new and existing—is ready for installation. Oil paintings need time to dry, printers need time to produce and package pieces, and I need time to prepare and install all the artwork.
I recognize that I can’t do everything at once, so prioritization helps me maintain a sense of balance.
Art Show Curation and Planning
I’ve curated many exhibitions throughout my career, and I always approach the space with the viewer’s experience in mind while optimizing the art for the space. This means photographing and measuring the venue, determining how much artwork will fit, and planning for practical needs like electrical for lighting and installation supports for ceiling-mounted art.
This morning, I felt scattered—what the Japanese call achi kochi (all over the place). Even though I had been thinking about the show for months, I still lacked a concrete plan. So, I spent the morning creating an installation layout for each wall, ceiling, window, and stage space.
Now, I know exactly what I need to create and prepare. Having a plan restores my sense of balance—when you know where you’re going, the journey is more manageable. Emotionally and mentally, it’s easier to work the plan than to stress over the unknown.
Yoga and a Sense of Balance
I practice yoga almost every day. It helps me find balance—not just physically but mentally and emotionally. In the moving poetry of postures synced with breathing, I find a sense of harmony in body, mind, and spirit. Sometimes, creative solutions to artistic challenges arise effortlessly while practicing.
Yoga unites breath with movement, quiets mental chatter, and reinforces a sense of presence in the now. The strength and confidence in balance is invaluable, especially when I’m painting large canvases or installing large-scale works, often in awkward positions on ladders or lifts. Thanks to the flexibility and stability I develop through yoga, I trust my body and mind to execute my vision safely and effectively.
Final Thoughts on Balance
In a world of constant notifications, micro-attention spans on phones, and looming deadlines, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But balance is found through mindfulness, breathing, having a plan, and knowing when to step back and refocus.
For artists managing multiple projects, my advice is simple: Prioritize what matters most in the moment, create a clear plan, and find a practice—whether it’s yoga, meditation, walking, or another outlet—that helps restore your sense of balance.
The Stoic philosophy of Marcus Aurelius is based on the idea of controlling what you can control. I would add: Where your attention goes, energy flows. So, find your focus and achieve your goals.
What strategies help you stay balanced as an artist? Let’s continue the conversation!
