by Georgia Lange

Summer is upon us, and many of us are excited about taking a little vacation time. This is particularly true for those of us who have been in school for these past several months. Just because school is out doesn’t mean you should quit working; art is a constant process, and long periods of “time off” can be a waste of creative potential. For a true artist, the work is never finished. There are dozens of ways to keep busy while still having fun. Remember, experience itself can be a work of art (see our previous article on this topic for some more food-for-thought). Here are a couple of ideas to keep your creative juices flowing over the summer.

• Wherever you go, always be armed and ready with a camera and a sketchbook. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

• Getting a second job, an internship, or some volunteer work helps to build experience. Although the job market is still problematic in this economy, volunteer work is always welcome and has a big payoff when it comes to building up the resume.

• Start a new series, or work on one that you have already started. Galleries love to see a consistent body of work where all the pieces relate to one another (or at least look good together on the same wall).

• Social networking is crucial these days. It never hurts to get yourself out there and build up your audience. Do this online and in person; use sites like Flickr, Facebook, Etsy, and Twitter and go to as many social gatherings as possible. Remember that the goal is to meet new people.

• Get feedback from as many people as you can. When you meet someone new, direct them to your website or show them your sketchbook (which you should carry with you at all times). Getting feedback outside of the classroom gives you a better understanding of what market your work falls into, helping you to navigate your career accordingly.

If you would like to comment on this article, or share with us your ideas on how to stay actively creative while enjoyng the freedom of summer, please double click on the title of this article and let us know your thoughts. Let’s get a conversation going!