This is Step One to kickstart your art journey.

Everyone finds it hard to get going with a creative course. Lots of you won’t have done anything creative for yourselves for years. There are so many reasons and excuses we give ourselves for not doing something that is just for ourselves.

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Over these 5 steps of brief lessons enjoy the process and the brief break from normal, everyday life.

The trick is to try to make your engagement with the process into your new normal.

Take a look at how you approach the creative part of yourself – do you give yourself time and mindful space? Do you snatch time for yourself, or do you plan it? On your ‘to-do’ list, is looking after your creativity and your state of mindfulness top, middle or bottom of the list…or perhaps not there at all?

Take this moment to reflect on how you approach your creative activities. I bet you do more creative things than you realise. This quiz is designed to help you think about areas of your creative life that are working for you, and areas that are not.

There are no right or wrong answers – It is just to jog you into thinking about what you need to focus on.

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My BIG Creative Quiz

  1. Are you engaged in making, drawing, painting on a regular basis?
    1. Most days of the week
    2. Chunks of time regularly
    3. Sometimes
    4. Rarely
    5. Never
  1. Do you enjoy playing creatively, just for the fun of it, in an inquisitive way?
    1. Every day
    2. Regularly
    3. Sometimes
    4. Hardly ever
    5. Never
  1. Are you creative in other areas in your life such as gardening, cooking, writing, furniture restoration, or anything else?
    1. Nearly everyday
    2. Regularly
    3. Sometimes
    4. Hardly ever
    5. Never
  1. Do you have projects on the go, some you finish some you don’t?
    1. Always
    2. Regularly but I never finish things
    3. Occasionally
    4. Hardly ever
    5. Never
  1. Do you look for inspiration for your creativity?
    1. in books
    2. on-line
    3. in galleries and museums
    4. in nature
    5. never
  1. Do you make/create gifts for family and friends
    1. Regularly
    2. Sometimes
    3. Hardly ever
    4. Never
    5. I’d be too embarrassed
  1. Do you discuss what you create with friends or family?
    1. Regularly
    2. Sometimes
    3. Hardly ever
    4. Never
    5. I’d be too embarrassed
  1. Do you submit your work for the public to see?
    1. Online, in a publication or in a gallery
    2. In a joint show with friends and for friends
    3. I haven’t thought about it before
    4. I couldn’t possibly
    5. Never

So, how did you do? Were there any surprises? This is a good moment to pause and think about what you would like to be doing. But don’t overthink it. Just have a go and enjoy the process.

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Kickstart your art in different ways

If you want to join a group of like-minded people there are lots of ways to do it and their support is a long lasting pleasure. One thing you can do is join a class near where you live. Or be creative with a friend. Or have a look at ways to make creative friends in an online community.

Put a photo of your work on Instagram with the hashtag:

#thisiswhatimadetoday.  We would love to see what you are up to  so send us stuff at #hampshireartstudio

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Go to step two for some ideas about gathering together what you will need to get started, and about keeping a creative diary…just for you.

Have a look at the next step Kickstart Art – Step Two

Don’t forget to register on http://www.hampshireart.studio to receive notice of new courses