Daily Practice- Artist Spotlight: Daniel Gisé
For artist Daniel Gisé the timing worked out perfectly.
He found himself with a bit clearer schedule than he normally had. He decided to take advantage and use it for art. And in the process of the #20for20, realized that he didn’t need huge chunks of time to get to work afterall.
Learn more about Daniel Gisé here.
How did you decide where in your day to put your 20?
I used my afternoons to paint just because usually that's when I feel more energy and focus during the day.
At the time of the challenge, I had a lot of time away from work so I didn't have to worry too much about time management.
I found out about the 20for20 in a moment where I wanted something to help me focus on painting everyday. Tthat was an easy math for me! There were times I had to skip a day, like when I had to make a short trip, but I got back to it the next day.
You expanded beyond the 20. How did having it be “just 20 minutes” help you get into your space and start creating?
There is something about setting up a small goal that works really well. It's easy to allocate 20 minutes a day for painting.
It also takes away the burden of having to be productive. It doesn’t have to be a long session or nothing. Whatever is accomplished in a short session is good enough!
Very often I sat down to paint for 20 minutes and on those days I felt more energy and more focus, I ended up doing an hour or more.
On days I didn't feel like it, I tried to do at least 20 minutes. I did a value study or started a drawing to work on the next day.
How and where did you keep your materials the same?
I kept using colored pencils and paper because I was already studying it. It was very easy to work with. No need for preparation or cleaning up afterwards.
I have a large table in the living room to keep my materials and a drafting board next to it. Any time I wanted I just had to sit down and start drawing.
You decide to use the references from the Starter Pack. What did having someone else choose photos and you just followed give you as artist?
People say an artist has to take their own photos, but for the purpose of the Challenge, my goal was to practice. So for that it was very useful. It was good to have good photographs ready to choose from and not having to go looking for them.
What were you hoping to explore in your project?
I wanted to practice painting with colored pencils and work on my daily painting habit. I never deliberately set a goal like this before and have a community doing the same thing and sharing it everyday was new to me.
What benefits did you find working daily even if not for a long time?
To focus on habit, I think, takes a weight off from the painting session. If today's session is no good it's OK. There will be another tomorrow. The focus is on doing it, not in what gets done.
Any days jump out as having aha moments? Could you share what those were?
It might not seem like a big aha moment but it was for me!
There was a day when I had to do a chore in the afternoon. Normally I would have given up painting altogether but because I had committed to the 20 minutes I did the most with the time I had. I ended up doing a pretty good session that day. That was the power of the 20 minutes.
Any advice for someone thinking about participating?
I'd say keep it simple and set up a small goal. The real challenge is to show up everyday. I was able to learn more about colored pencils and do more than I expected in small steps each day.
10. What was the most helpful mindset for you to try and keep during the 20for20?
Just show up! Showing up is good enough! It can't be a burden. The session needs to be fun. If it's fun you'll want to do another one the next day.
So often the focus is on finished and beautiful work. Did you feel any difference in shifting the focus to the showing up? (The habit.) How did that change your relationship to your practice?
It becomes a lot more fun. It doesn’t mean you won't pursue any goals and be stuck. It means you value every step.
Learn more about Daniel Gisé here.
Learn more about the #20for20 here.