01-08-2013, 03:25 AM
I'm a parent of a very active 3 year old. It's really tough to "find" time to work and study, but you have to MAKE time. I think it presents a very specific challenge to freelancers and artist, but it's not impossible.
When she was younger, it was easy to plop her into a bouncy seat with a toy and work for 5-10 minutes at a time. Or draw "over" her when she fell asleep in my lap while feeding.
Now that she's a little older, she can play on her own for a while, in the same room as me while I study/work. It's harder to concentrate, but you do what you have to to get it done. Later hours, less sleep, but you're a parent, you're awake already LOL!
You definitely have to look for creative solutions to unique situations when trying to work with kids around. Have a specific play area in the room your computer resides and learn which activities and toys will entertain him/her for longer. If your partner is supportive in your pursuit of a freelance/fulltime artist career, work out a "schedule" where you have a couple of hours every other night or so to buckle down and study/work while she takes care of the kid, and make sure you do the same for her in return. She'll need breaks and she'll need time to herself. That's very, very important, plus it gives you valuable time WITH your kid.
Have a sketchbook within a few feet of you at all times. Do 1-2 minute gesture studies of your kid and the toys and everything. It may not seem related to your desired genre, but you'd be amazed how well it helps you to grow as an artist when you have a "moving target" to sketch. LOL!
Hm, what else...I can't think of anything right now, but feel free to ask specific questions and stuff. :)
When she was younger, it was easy to plop her into a bouncy seat with a toy and work for 5-10 minutes at a time. Or draw "over" her when she fell asleep in my lap while feeding.
Now that she's a little older, she can play on her own for a while, in the same room as me while I study/work. It's harder to concentrate, but you do what you have to to get it done. Later hours, less sleep, but you're a parent, you're awake already LOL!
You definitely have to look for creative solutions to unique situations when trying to work with kids around. Have a specific play area in the room your computer resides and learn which activities and toys will entertain him/her for longer. If your partner is supportive in your pursuit of a freelance/fulltime artist career, work out a "schedule" where you have a couple of hours every other night or so to buckle down and study/work while she takes care of the kid, and make sure you do the same for her in return. She'll need breaks and she'll need time to herself. That's very, very important, plus it gives you valuable time WITH your kid.
Have a sketchbook within a few feet of you at all times. Do 1-2 minute gesture studies of your kid and the toys and everything. It may not seem related to your desired genre, but you'd be amazed how well it helps you to grow as an artist when you have a "moving target" to sketch. LOL!
Hm, what else...I can't think of anything right now, but feel free to ask specific questions and stuff. :)