The art of self-help (Pt. 2) - Improve your (art) productivity: Nudge
As promised, back to Richard Thaler’s & Cass Sunstein’s ‘Nudge’ and how I apply them to my artistic practice.
Nudges are further or additional aspects of choice architecture that try to alter people’s behaviour, decisions or actions. They try to steer (or nudge) individuals to particular choices (not always in our interest) - consider happy hour at the pub! They aim to make the preferred option more salient, easier to choose, or more appealing while still allowing alternative options. Nudges can be subtle or very explicit and both approaches can have a significant impact on their success or otherwise.
Jackson’s Art Supplies’ regular sales are definitely a nudge and although related to art, are not quite what I am thinking about for this post. Although, they are a good time for stocking up on things you use; be careful not to get carried away - that is what they want!
If you want to nudge yourself into making more art, here is what I suggest
Make it easy & obvious (and simple) - a lot of this will be about choice architecture and designing your life. Before I was lucky enough to have space for a dedicated studio (I do have the freezer in there still), I always found the hassle of setting up and putting away my equipment slowed me down and often resulted in me just not getting on with it (more on this soon because this is certainly sludge!). By dedicating space to my art and not having to constantly move it, which takes time and energy, I created more, and guess what? I got better and was much more fulfilled. Every time I entered the studio I was nudged everywhere, either at the easel or my drawing desk. I worked hard to organise my paints, pens or whatever equipment to being as accessible as it could be. I reduced what I used, down to what I used often and most - anything else is stored away sensibly and, when the time comes can be made more obvious then. If I were starting again or had a smaller space, I would prioritise what was pragmatic - if my canvases needed to be smaller then that is what I would do; if I could only really draw, then so be it; if it was just the kitchen table, then I would have a box of equipment in there that could be stashed and stored in an instant. Other simple things that have helped give me a nudge, which are pretty common, take a sketchbook and pen or pencil with you - I even have one by my bed (I would have one in every room but my wife tells me off).
Work to a deadline (even self-imposed) - sometimes there is a deadline, as above, make that deadline obvious and clear. Put it on your phone, calendar or scrawl it in the studio (I started making a very small note on paintings with the deadline - it gets covered over but is a great nudge and I think an important part of the painting process). If there is no deadline, you can impose one yourself - how many drawings this week, month or year? Even better, how many in an hour? Other things that help with this are looking for open calls or competitions (follow #s on social media to get nudged to these regularly).
Get yourself inspired & make it enjoyable (don’t wait for it to happen) - last but not least! We often wait for inspiration to strike but that does not really happen. Instead we should go out and take action to get inspired. That could be taking in an exhibition, watching something about art, or even better, doing it! Not only is this fun and enjoyable but it really gives you a skip in your step and I am sure many of you have travelled back from an exhibition, eager to get on with something - you have got to seize that momentum because it can be transformative.
I think that is it from me. Hopefully this post serves as a nudge for some. The video below from struthless also gave me an effective nudge and some top drawing tips (it’s really great advice) - see what you think and check his site out HERE!