Comments on: Deep Thought Thursday: How much time should you spend on the computer

By: Alyson B. Stanfield

Alyson B. Stanfield — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:14:46 +0000

Tina: Yep! I’m all for the timer. It really works. Lisa, Tina: I understand that you categorize online tasks differently. That makes sense. Lyn: I’m trying to avoid the email/online thing first thing in the morning. We can get so caught up in it. I’d like to structure my day so email is later on and mornings are reserved for stuff that really needs well-rested brain power. Jean: Yes, I’ve been known to scare a crowd of artists. Cynthia: Met Anne. Cool!

By: Carrie Cahill Mulligan

Carrie Cahill Mulligan — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:21:41 +0000

Because I have a mindless day-job (checking ids at the gym), I could spend hours on the computer, social networking, and drifting around reading blogs. But the point of the day-job was that it also allows me to work on my fiber art. So, lately I have made a point of working on my hats first. Then, a few hours before the end of my shift, I allow myself to go online. Also, I only have dial-up internet available at home, so I tend not to go online over the weekend. That allows me uninterrupted time with my sweetheart in the garden, doing chores, or just being together.

By: Elsa

Elsa — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 06:40:40 +0000

Although I spend a fair amount of time at the computer (editing and creating work as well) ultimately I feel it may actually save time; especially if you compare it to writing/sending query letters, photographing slides, preparing packets, post office trips, schlepping portfolios and goodness knows what else. Not to say one wouldn’t do these things at all, but probably not as much. I’m feeling that participating in the internet world, whether it be blogging, emailing or updating your website, can give one a lot more exposure, and immediately. Come to think of it, I bet it ultimately saves energy as well. (!) Someone recently told me they googled me (and found my blog) to see what I’d been up to. And then they bought a piece of my work. This was very cool! Some days I spend an hour on the computer and some days it’s several hours. I do not have a set schedule for how long ‘x’ should take; perhaps I should. Tina’s and others’ tips are great. But here’s something I’ve noticed: If I leave my computer turned off for two days I’m usually really inspired to be with it again. PS Christine Kane (who I found thanks to Alyson’s blog) has a great post/YouTube interview about blogging benefits here: http://christinekane.com/blog/if-you-were-a-real-artist-you-wouldnt-need-a-blog/

By: Laura K. Aiken

Laura K. Aiken — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:47:10 +0000

I spend way too much time on the computer. BUT, with that said, there is no way around it. It is something all the time. If you had a store front, you would be doing the same thing only not on the computer. Such as looking for new ways to promote your store, what your competition is, who needs to know about your work ….you get the picture. I have fault the computer life long enough and have finally settled that it is our way of life now. It is our leg work and our “work of mouth” work. 90% push work, 10% acutal hands on creation work. I love it. I (think) I accept it.

By: Susie Monday

Susie Monday — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:18:36 +0000

Addendum: I am always looking for tools to make this computer time easier and more efficient. My latest tool is the Flock browser, seems to make it easier to have all the social networking tools and “friends’ lists all in one place for quick updates to teaching schedules, exhibits, etc.

By: Susie Monday

Susie Monday — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:15:32 +0000

2 – 3 hours a day and then on-and-off for Twitter or for recreational Stumbling around! That’s the minimum, not counting days when you are building a new website, working on resumes, bios, newsletters. The computer IS my workdesk, so I can’t really separate the “art biz” time from the computer time. Thus we are back to the question: How much time does an artist need to spend promoting her work, organizing his “office”, creating new materials or product (like postcards, newsletters, etc. I think you wrote a book about this, Alyson!

By: Ben Oliver

Ben Oliver — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:55:37 +0000

Sad to say but am on the computer working more hours a day then i spend with family. I am a developer for a large agency and try to work on the side as well. Life is getting to expensive and if you don’t put in the time then your family might suffer more then you not being there. You thought pain at the pump was bad before. One project I’m working on is to help not only local artists in my area but also my friend who is the gallery owner. Help me help them. http://www.umWell.com

By: Tesia Blackburn

Tesia Blackburn — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:07:38 +0000

Thank you Alyson for a great question! One of my students just asked me this today! As I was ranting at them about Goggle alerts, blogs and so forth and they were groaning and said….no, no I want to paint! Welcome to the real world. It is 8 pm in San Francisco. I am updating my blog and sending out 1200 emails. This is the life blood of my career. I spent 3 hours today on the computer, putting together a proposal for a high rise condo project that will net me a goodly amount of money. Time wasted? Hardly! Before that I had a 3 hour online conference with paying students (the ones groaning about computers). My advice is to think about how much time you spend making art (or wanting to) and then double that, so you can make more art. Then take that number of hours and spend it on the computer. I don’t actually do any social networking on the computer at all because I view the computer as a work tool so when I’m ready to turn off, I turn the computer off. My new favorite phrase? “Sleeping is for sissies!”

By: Sari

Sari — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:51:20 +0000

I say, if you’re feeling low, sit in front of the computer,( is ‘chasing rabbits’ the term for doing something fun & sort of productive ?) until you have a vague suntan & you kind of glow around the eyes a bit…the gamma rays or whatever they are called now seem to be a real mood enhancer…when you are feeling happier, wean yourself off this addictive light & seek out humans & or puppy dogs & gardens for reflection…

By: Helen Harris

Helen Harris — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:38:54 +0000

While tweeting on twitter yesterday I reached the saturation point of internet overload. I announced “Enough!”,and went off to paint. Recently, thanks to your book and blogs I have added Twitter, Facebook,gone on to 2 Squidoo lenses and opened an Etsy shop!The time spent setting up these things and the intensity of my learning curve is now easing off to maintenance time. Whew! I like Lyn Bishop’s hour in the morning and hour or two at the close of day schedule.It gives me a sense of bracketting my painting time, knowing that it is my time to paint and only paint.I’m going to give it a try along with Tina’s timer!