Finding Time for Art.

    Hello! Last night I unfortunately wrote out an entire blog and then when I went to post it and the whole blog deleted!! I was so upset. I stayed up just to make sure I could get one out and I couldn't stay up anymore. So here we are. What should we talk about today? 

                                              TIME TIME WHOSE GOT THE TIME!?!?!

Yesterday I had such a busy day. I had my first day back at work after being off for almost 2 weeks. After that I spend a few hours in a car dealership with my grandmother and father and I took home a new 2015 Ford Escape (which I named Ruby for her color). By the time I got home I was exhausted and just wanted to curl up in bed and play on my phone or tablet. 

(Some new Disc Golf minis or Coasters)

      Instead I decided to hit my studio for at least an hour. Now whenever I plan to do this most of the time one of two things normally happen. I either sit down and end up getting sucked into something for much longer than I planned messing up my schedule for things afterwards, or I sit there trying to start or work on something for only an hour and end up wasting my time and getting nothing done.

         Yesterday neither of those two things happened! It was a great breakthrough with me and my art. As I wrote about in a recent blog I am planning on doing the Ferndale DIY Art Festival. So I have two months or so to come up with a comfortable amount of stock inventory to do well. I think mentality has really effected my work process for the better. Finding time to do art when there is no reason to other then personal satisfaction is much harder for me than when I have due dates and time lines that I need to meet.

(Check out this lovely little Etsy item that fit perfectly for today's topic!)

        Finding time for art can be hard even if it is something that you want to do. Setting goals and deadlines is crucial for making sure you set aside even a small amount of time dedicated to art. It could be a goal of everyday do something whether it's working on that pencil drawing you've been trying to finish for weeks or doing a small doodle on a napkin while out at the bar with friends. Whatever your goals are make sure you stick to them!! This will make it easier to find time for art.

I am obviously no expert on this subject but I can tell you what has worked and not worked for me. What are some of your problems or struggles with finding time for art? Is it a young baby taking up your time and focus? Is it your strong will to procrastinate or distract yourself with other things? No matter what the excuse for finding time for you and your art I have come up with this list to help you FIND TIME!

I am going to create another post today to make up for yesterday giving you a list of ways to help you find time to make art!

Stay Tuned! - Dream Away!

Samantha Menzo

Cloud Nine Studios

How To Art While Traveling.

     Hello and what a beautiful day! I have so many things I want to talk about in this blog it's hard to pick and choose what to focus on day to day. Today is the last day I will be in my hometown for the next week! (I know why would anyone start a DAILY blog and then go away for a week) but I will continue posting although the times I post might be inconsistent due to lack of service and time.

ANYWAYS! Tonight I will be packing clothes and other things for my week gone....which started me thinking about I and how other artists pack their art supplies for a trip.

(Image above is a quick little sketch I made when camping last month by the fireside.)

       Creating art while away on vacation is one of my favorite times to use my imagination in a new way! I love my little studio but sometimes getting out of my normal environment and seeing and smelling new things is just the thing my brain needs to explode with creative love!


Some of my traveling art essentials are:

Micron Pens or Fiber Castell
Ultra Fine Tip Colored Sharpie Markers
Hard cover spiral notebook
Mechanical Pencils
Acrylic Paint Markers
Book Light


The great thing about my list of traveling art supplies is that they all fit in a small tote bag that I can keep separate from my luggage and when in a car, plane or even train I have the ability to art it up!

I use to have a hard time with making art or even doodling if I can't finish it or I didn't feel it is living up to the certain standard I try to hold for my work. I have gotten better recently with just making what I can make, where I can make it. Sometimes the silliest doodle marks or ugliest sketches turn into the best ideas! So whether you are at home in your normal art spot or even on an adventure in the woods with a friend, if you feel inspired to create...then CREATE!

(This is not my work but an example of what my painted lady bug rock looked like)

I was just away last weekend for example and I found this perfectly round rock. I reminded me of a cute little lady bug. So I took out my amazing acrylic art markers and painted to entire rock to be just that. I little lady bug. I had unfortunately forgotten to take any pictures as I didn't think it was that great but I made another twin lady bug and gave it to two little girls who were camping with us. They loved them so much that they were inspired to create their own rock creatures!!! We pulled out the crayons and got to work. We had so much fun thinking of what animals certain rocks could be and I was surprised how many they knocked out in such a small time. 

So whether you are already a traveling art pro or just now interested in packing some supplies for the next time you travel.... Art is everywhere and can be made everywhere. You may not even think of who you might inspire by thinking out of the box in a new environment. So I challenge you to bring along your favorite crayons or markers and make art in a new way in a new place!

For those of you who do make art while away, What does your traveling art tote consist of?

What are some of your favorite creations or experiences you have made away from home?

Until Tomorrow - Dream Away!

Samantha Menzo

Cloud Nine Studios