As art teachers, it can be so easy to get caught up in the teaching part of our jobs that we sometimes struggle to find the time to make art for ourselves. After full days of facilitating artmaking for students and sorting and preparing art supplies, some days, the last thing we want to do is make our own. When we do find time to create art, there is often the pressure to create something “good” or turn it into a creative pursuit. If you’re trying to figure out how to get back into the groove of your own artmaking practice, summer is your time to let loose and embrace your creative flow.
Here are five ways to reignite your love for artmaking and encourage your own creativity in the months ahead!
1. Experiment with a new medium.
As seasoned artists, it’s easy to lock into the mediums that we love best. Like with our students, it’s important that we occasionally branch out and try something new. There are so many different art mediums to explore, and summer is the perfect time to set aside uninterrupted time to get curious.
One of the fun things about experimenting with a new art medium is that it invites you to learn. We encourage our students to foster a growth mindset, and it’s important that we do the same for ourselves. While you can certainly set a goal of creating a finished piece of art, simply experimenting can free you from pressure.
Not only can you discover a new passion, but it will remind you of what these beginning stages feel like, so you can better meet your students where they are. Even if a new medium doesn’t become your life purpose, it’s still a great way to challenge yourself, inform and improve the artmaking that you already do and love, and treat yourself to some new art supplies!
2. Treat yourself to new art supplies!
Speaking of—who doesn’t love a fresh set of paint pens? The joy isn’t just in the creating—it starts the moment you find new art supplies. Whether you’re upgrading your current collection or trying something new, buying the right art tools and materials is always an exciting and satisfying experience. Walking through the aisles of one of your favorite craft supply stores is a great way to find ideas and inspiration. Each item comes with so much potential, which can get your creative juices pumping! The feel of a new pen or the rich color of a brand-new box of untouched pastels can make you feel like anything is possible.
Shopping for your own art doesn’t have to be professional-grade, expensive items, although it can be! Throw the new neon pack of crayons and obnoxious glitter glue in your cart, too. It’s always neat to see what more “juvenile” art supplies can do and how you elevate them for your students in the classroom. When you find a magical art supply that you can’t wait to show your students, consider how you can use it to update a stale lesson or create a captivating one-day activity.
3. Join an artmaking club.
Sometimes friends are our most inspiring motivators! Meeting up with other creatives is a great way to hold ourselves accountable for setting aside the time to make art. Regular feedback is also an essential part of maintaining creative flow with your work. If you’re having a hard time feeling motivated, get together with other art teachers, just like you. Enroll in a virtual studio course or register for an in-person workshop through your local arts guild or library. Signing up for a class that meets with a regular cadence and deadlines can push you to show up and produce work.
For something more low-key, establish your own gathering where your friends bring snacks and a project to work on while you listen to music and chat. In some cases, it may be helpful to get out and meet in a public place, like a local pottery studio or a nature reserve. If you’d rather stay in the comfort of your own home, join an online community, like The Art of Ed Community, which even offers a monthly art club!
4. Surround yourself with art.
It’s so much easier to make art when you feel inspired, and what better way than to surround yourself with art? Besides an art museum, there are plenty of opportunities to see artwork in other places. If you live in a city, there are many “mural tours” you can do. Philadelphia Mural Arts is an example of an organization that strives to create artwork all around the city.
If you’re in a more rural area, schools are another way to encounter fresh art! Visiting a local school’s art show or even checking out their theater productions is a fun and affordable way to see artists in your community. Plus, it’s an opportunity to support art programs. Mark your calendars for First Fridays, art fairs, and summer craft festivals, too.
You can also surround yourself with art in your home. Fill your walls with things that bring you a smile, whether that’s inspirational photos from your summer travels, student drawings, or a budding collection of artwork from artist friends. Keep your brand-new art supplies out on the table so they’re within reach and sight. You’re more likely to create if it’s accessible, even if it’s five minutes here and there.
5. Set aside time and space for creativity.
While it may sound silly, it’s important to set aside time. It’s tempting to fill empty calendar space, and before you know it, summer is over, and you haven’t made anything! Your creative work deserves space in your schedule, like any other priority. Just like any calendar event, make this non-negotiable, undisturbed time, as you would for a meeting or a doctor’s appointment. Consider your summer routine and identify pockets of time where you can consistently devote attention to your art. Communicate your plans with others, if needed, to establish boundaries and gain support from those around you.
Once you have stretches of time set aside, break them into two parts. In the first part, take a few minutes to prepare and clear your mind. Go for a walk, do a quick workout, knock a looming task off your to-do list, or call a friend to run your artmaking idea by. This time is key to ensure you enter your artmaking time distraction-free and with an open mind. In the second part, make lots of art! Work for at least 30 minutes to an hour to get in the groove and foster creative flow.
It’s also super important to create an environment that signals to your brain that it’s time to create. Set up a dedicated work space that is inviting and free of distractions. You don’t need a whole room; you can build a temporary studio space that works for you, using what you have! Turn off notifications, play music that inspires you, or light a candle—whatever helps get your creativity flowing. Remember, it’s not about making the perfect artwork—it’s about making time and space where you can.
As an art teacher, your creativity is vital not just to inspire your students, but also for yourself as a balanced person and visual artist. Tapping into your creative flow models how to think imaginatively, take risks, and see the world through a novel lens. In the fast-paced demands of education, it’s easy to put your own art on the back burner, so use your summer break to reignite artmaking endeavors. Let loose with a new medium and art supplies, a supportive art teacher community, and intentional time and space. You deserve to rejuvenate through a state of creative flow!
What are your artmaking plans for the summer?
What other tips would you add to this list to help other art teachers enter creative flow?
To chat about creative flow with other art teachers, join us in The Art of Ed Community!
Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.
