This year, I made the conscious decision to step away from social media—a choice I didn't make lightly but one that felt increasingly necessary. Over time, I realised that the digital environment no longer supported my values or the way I approach creativity. The endless stream of ads, webinars, and courses promoting quick, easy-to-sell art began to clash with my deeper intentions.
I found myself observing a surge of artists churning out work designed for rapid sales, often at the cost of quality and meaning. The constant messaging around “painting fast," “selling more," and “making thousands in a month" initially piqued my interest. I even signed up for a few free webinars, curious about their promises to create “simple" and “profitable" art. But I couldn’t shake the growing sense of disconnect. Instead of fuelling my creative spirit, it left me feeling disillusioned, and far removed from the mindful, heart-centred approach that grounds my practice.
As I reflected, I kept coming back to this quote by Lao Tzu:
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."
It made me realise that my approach to slow living and art has value. Like nature, creativity unfolds in layers, each with its gentle rhythm. When we rush through it, we lose the depth and meaning that comes from allowing the process to evolve naturally.
Why are you rushing?
What are you rushing towards?
And most importantly, what are you missing?
I needed to ask myself these questions. Creativity, much like life, requires space to breathe and unfold. When we rush, we miss the layers of meaning and depth that come from being fully present in the process.
Art, for me, has never been about producing something quickly or selling it for the sake of income. I believe in a slower, more intentional approach to the creative process, one that honours the time, thought, and emotion behind each piece. When I step into the studio, it’s not about how fast I can finish a painting or how much money it might make. It’s about connection, connecting to the present moment, to myself, and to the piece I’m creating.
I’m reminded of this beautiful reflection from the artist Agnes Martin:
“The value of art is in the observer. When we come to a work of art, we bring our whole self, our minds and our hearts. And if we are quiet and slow, the art will open itself to us."
Slow creativity allows space for reflection, contemplation, and personal growth. It’s like sowing seeds—you give your ideas room to grow, nurturing them over time. It creates space for true embodiment, allowing your ideas to take root within you. This process embraces the natural ebb and flow of creativity, the challenges and breakthroughs, and brings a deep satisfaction to your inner ecology. As you strengthen this inner landscape, your voice grows stronger too. There’s beauty in taking your time, pausing to breathe, and fully immersing yourself in the slow creative journey.
In the words of Rainer Maria Rilke:
“No great art has ever been made quickly or with ease. Every work carries with it the weight of years of exploration, contemplation, and passion."
The autumn equinox invites us to reflect and root ourselves. It’s an especially relevant time to step away from social media as we head into the season of Wintering. This time of year symbolises balance and the harvest of our efforts, urging us to reconnect with our values and intentions. Just as trees establish deeper roots to weather the changing seasons, this month is the perfect time to start grounding yourself in a creative practice that nurtures authenticity and depth.
So, step away and go offline and embrace the unpublic, private creative space. In this quiet, you’ll rediscover the joy of creating slowly, with intention, and without the pressure of external validation.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the rush to produce and sell, I invite you to explore a slower, more meaningful way to create.
Embrace the journey, not the outcome.
Join me for a ten-week Heart-Centred Painting course, where we will slow down, connect deeply to the creative process, and focus on crafting just one meaningful piece of art over time. This course is designed to help you reconnect with your artistic heart, guiding you to create from a place of intention and inner reflection.
Click the link below to learn more and sign up—let’s create something that truly matters, together.
Book a class with me at The Peaceful Paintbrush, and let’s explore the heart song together...
As you continue to infuse your art with love and wisdom, may you find renewed energy and passion in each carefully chosen word and note!
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