How to Think About Deadlines as an Artist

Beginning my career as an illustrator and designer, my work always revolved around deadlines.   Illustration followed a path:  read the article, create sketches for the art director, and create the final art.  Sometimes all of that happened in as little as a few days.  Many times I just wasn’t in a creative mood and struggled.  I felt like a machine rather than an artist.  I’m sure this feeling of “creating for the client” applies to writers and musicians as well; an article is not poetry just as a commercial jingle is not a song from the heart. 

When I began to focus on abstract fine art, my concept of the deadline wildly changed.  If there were no deadlines at all, how would I stay motivated to paint?  If I have short deadlines,  will it feel as though I’m back in my illustration days, being forced to create when the spark isn’t there? I found myself somewhere between needing dates to work towards, but also wanting to allow the work to develop on its own time. 

Enter art shows.  Aside from an entry deadline, most art shows offer a set of parameters to work within, which is usually a theme or size.   Initially I found myself stressing all over again to have a piece to fit the theme, or to have my “minis” done in time for a big annual art show on Philadelphia’s Main Line.   Things started to feel like my commercial art deadlines again, and when things don’t feel right in the studio, I’m not as productive.  I wanted my work to flow as the creative urge hits because I know this is when I make my best work.

Over time I began to notice a cycle of annual shows. This allowed me the foresight to work towards a very far off deadline.  Those minis I just mentioned?  I’m starting to work on those six months out.  They will be varnished and framed before I even need to submit my show inventory (which is right before the holidays when I’m busy enough!) A far off deadline on the horizon keeps me working towards a set of goals on my own time,  without feeling the overwhelm.   When a show pops up and I just don’t have the right work available, I’ll take note of it for the following year and add that to my list of work to consider making.  With this mindset,  I can now freely bounce between focusing on art making and the business side as my creativity ebbs and flows, thus allowing my studio time to be more productive and enjoyable.  

Artist Jill Pearson with her “minis” at the annual Malvern Retreat House Art Show on Philadelphia’s Main Line.   Her small works are available to purchase here.