This post is by guest author, Terry L. Zarate.  This article has been edited and published with the author's permission. You should submit an article and share your views as a guest author by clicking here. We've promoted this post to feature status because it provides great value to the FineArtViews community.  If you want your blog posts listed in the FineArtViews newsletter with the possibility of being republished to our 17,000+ subscribers, consider blogging with FASO Artist Websites.  This author's views are entirely her own and may not always reflect the views of BoldBrush, Inc.

Over the years, I have tried so many different schedules to help me to paint more often. Finding time that is designated for "painting only" is almost impossible. Everyone and everything demands my time. There are children and a husband to consider, as well as paying bills, cleaning the house, doing errands and everything else in between. I must have tried every type of system to help me organize my time better. It all works for awhile, but the minute something unexpected comes into the mix, my wonderful system goes out the window and I have a difficult time getting back to it.

Finally, I have come up with a plan that actually works - for me, anyway. Perhaps it will work for other artists. Here goes. When I first get up in the morning I jump right into paperwork. I get my coffee and stagger to my desk. I have difficulty in waking up and this helps me get out of my dreams and into the "real" world. I know that some people say to go into the studio right away, but I am a woman. I cannot have a clear mind until I have taken care of business. When I enter the studio, I don't want to have anything on my mind except my artwork. That is a must. Women feel responsible for everything and everyone in the world and these obligations must be taken care of before we can create.

I work on personal business and emails first. Then, I tackle paperwork and computer stuff regarding entering competitions, sending discs with artwork to galleries, keeping books, etc. It does feel good and gives me a sense of control to get some of the business related to my art done each day.

I then get the house in order - straighten, clean, laundry, errands, cooking, etc. Depending on the day, I can get into the studio by between noon and 2 each day.

When I enter the studio, I have a clear mind knowing that I have taken care of business - even artwork business. I can approach my paintings with nothing nagging at me. I can work until 6PM when my husband expects me to join him and our cats in our family room for the evening. I take with me a sachel filled with a drawing pad, a writing pad, papers I have printed from the computer to read, as well as books I don't have a chance to read during the day. I have so many art books I have purchased over the years and never have had a chance to read. So, as we watch television and talk, I can catch up on reading and work on designs for new paintings. It is the best system I have ever had.

Now, I won't pretend that it is perfect. Nothing is perfect, as I am often told. There are times that I have houseguests or doctor appointments or a friend or relative who needs me. Also, sometimes, I have a social engagement that I wish to attend. But, the second I can - I go back to this system. The vast majority of the time I can follow this schedule and it gives me great peace to know that I am keeping up with my art business as well as finding time to paint almost every day.

I just am not happy when I am not painting.

Simple as that.

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Editor's Note:  You can view Terry's original post here.