Quarantine, Kids, and Creativity

Hey, Artist Moms!

Are you struggling to find the time and energy to make art while in isolation with the kids? I am!

I haven’t written anything in weeks. I haven’t drawn anything in days. 

Hell . . . I haven’t even showered today.

Here’s a few (hopefully helpful) things to consider when you wanna get shit done:

1. You don’t have to make art with your kids.

Dried up bottles of craft glue, spilled pots of paint, and monumental meltdowns (mostly mine) are not optimal for my creative process. 

I have a twelve-year-old. While she is doing online schoolwork or playing on her iPad, I can stand at the kitchen table sipping my cold cup of coffee with a box full of Sharpies and doodle ’til my heart’s content.

You can do it too. It’s time to ditch the guilt and create all by yourself!

2. Try a change of scenery.

Go for a solo walk (if you can) and listen to music you wouldn’t play in front of the kids. Let those dirty lyrics and heavy beats remind you of how cool you were before you became someone’s snack bitch. 

I find walking alone helps me organize my brain. Often by the time I reach home, I have a small universe of creative ideas to explore.

3. If you can’t stop thinking about it, write it down.

There are countless times throughout the day that I think about art. Stuff I want to produce, write about, or make can stew for hours or even days in the back of my head. I recently started writing down the ideas that I’ve circled back to over and over.

Jotting down these inspired blips in as much detail as possible gives me the confidence to tackle them when I finally find the motivation.

Fill in the Blanks By Karen Gendron

PB and J by Karen Gendron

So, some days can be a struggle. But, look! I wrote this and I managed to take that long-overdue shower. Washed my hair and everything! Two outta three ain’t bad.

Keep it up!

You are doing great.

Karen,

The Watchful Wolf