Aggie Lim

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It only takes 20

June 3, 2014 By: Aggie4 Comments

From time to time my creativity arrives at a fence, I say fence not wall because I can see where I want to be but can’t find the gap to fit through.

I was describing how “paralysed” I felt about my inability to find that gap to hubby, and he responded with “paralysed?! that’s quite severe!”  But that’s how I felt.  I wanted to get creative but yet I wasn’t .

I struggled with getting all my art supplies right, and what else I may need, and having the right chair, table, light, am I comfortable?  And on and on it goes.

The Epiphany of an Event

What I’ve came to realise on this particular day that from time to time I create an “event” in my mind.

When things are an event, psychologically there’s a bit of preparation involved.  And I tend to be the type of person who has to get it “right” and not have anything forgotten about.

So knowing this, and having just listened to Michael Nobb’s podcast.  I set aside 20 mins on my timer (that I picked up at the post office when I went to check the mail), letting go of the notion of my creative moment being an event.

I thought to myself what am I going to draw in my 20 mins? Here’s another fleeting  ‘getting in my head”thought that I quickly erased.

So I looked up and saw my Japanese alarm clock that my old Japanese flat mate bought for me from Japan (advice from Danny Gregory and Michael Nobbs to draw what’s in front of you).

Starting off with a contour then filling in the inside of my drawing I became lost in my creative mind.

I allowed myself to draw bad, as Michael Nobb’s has recommended and the permission to make mistakes as Tommy Kane has mentioned in Sketchbook Skool.

Now, it’s a matter of developing my 20mins into a habit.

20 mins a Day

 

Japanese Alarm Clock 20 mins is all you’ll need.

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Comments

  1. Mudd says

    June 6, 2014 at 10:49 pm

    I absolutely LOVE your style! That clock is too cute… and would make a lovely start to a story! With your very own writing to tell it, too — NOT typed-in words. So nice to see that we all have the same challenges when it comes to simply “playing” -vs- “creating art.” We so need to let our inner kid have fun… and that’s exactly what the 20-minute thing is all about.

    You go, girl!!!

    LOVE YOU
    xox

    Reply
    • Aggie says

      June 8, 2014 at 5:34 pm

      Hi Mudd! thanks so much for your lovely compliments 🙂 Hmmm I love your ideas about story telling. Do you think I should have a sketchbook dedicated to just that or to keep it my my current sketchbook? I totally agree with you, I consider a myself to be like Peter Pan, the boy who (in my case the girl) who never grew up! 🙂 I love to play and have fun.

      xx

      Reply
  2. Lisa says

    June 11, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    What an absolutely awesome post! That really describes how I sometimes feel about getting creative and I can spend an entire day that I have available to be creative and begin procrastinating! Thanks for the innovative way to jump the fence and get going! Get rid of all inhibitions and have fun! This post has really helped me get back on track and I have been enjoying drawing daily and actually looking forward to it, rather than being paralysed! Thanks Ag! Keep up the great posts! 🙂 x

    Reply
    • Aggie says

      June 13, 2014 at 6:50 am

      That’s absolutely awesome Lisa!!! There’s nothing worse than being or feeling paralysed when you know you want to be creative. I look forward to hearing more about your creativity and your creative works!! 🙂 . Glad you are enjoying the posts too 🙂

      Reply

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Hi I’m Aggie

I'm a writer, artist and blogger. In my previous life I was a psychologist. Exploring life and happiness through writing, sketching, food, travel, and people has taught me to seek joy in everything I do and be grateful for what I have. I have a playful curiosity. I like to rock climb for fun, write to tell stories, share my thoughts and insights, and sketch from daily life embracing everyday-ness .
My mission is to live authentically and mindfully everyday, and to live on purpose with passion.
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