As artists, our creativity thrives when we have a clear direction. Setting creative intentions for artists is like giving yourself a roadmap—it helps you stay focused, inspired, and aligned with your artistic goals. Without one, it’s easy to get sidetracked by daily responsibilities, whether it’s work, family, or the endless scroll of social media.

For me, as a mom of two, setting creative intentions is essential. If I don’t, I end up getting completely wrapped up in my kids’ schedules and find myself at the end of the day wondering where my art time went. Sound familiar? Let’s walk through a step-by-step guide to setting artistic goals and sticking to them.

Step 1: Define Your “Why”

Before diving into the details, take a moment to ask yourself why you want to pursue your art. Is it for relaxation? To build a portfolio? To explore self-expression?

Write down your reasons and revisit them when you need a boost of motivation.

Tip: I often remind myself that my art is not just about creating beautiful things but about finding moments of stillness and self-discovery amid the chaos of motherhood.

Step 2: Set Clear, Achievable Goals

Once you know your why, break it down into tangible goals. Instead of a vague intention like “paint more,” try setting a specific goal such as:

• Shoot for 30 minutes every day with your paints.
• Complete a new watercolor series by the end of the quarter.
• Experiment with a new technique each week.

Check out this blogpost for some inspiration: Painting Loose Watercolor Florals Dos and Don’ts

Step 3: Create a Dedicated Space

Having a designated space for your art, even if it’s just a small corner of a room, signals to your brain that it’s time to create.

I set up a little corner in my studio space at Canopy in Austin, but when I’m home with my kids, I have a portable art kit ready to go.

Step 4: Build a Routine

Consistency is key to making progress. Whether it’s daily, weekly, or monthly, having a routine helps form a creative habit.

Try setting aside specific times that work for you—morning, lunch breaks, or evening wind-downs.

Pro Tip: Start with smaller sessions and gradually increase the time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Step 5: Stay Flexible and Kind to Yourself

Life happens, and sometimes your creative time might get interrupted. That’s okay! The goal is to be consistent, not perfect.

Some days I can paint for an hour; other days, I’m happy if I get five minutes to sketch. Give yourself grace and celebrate any progress you make.

Step 6: Find Accountability and Inspiration

Sharing your intentions with a friend, fellow artist, or an online community can keep you motivated. Engaging with like-minded creatives helps you stay inspired and accountable.

If you’re looking for community support, I host a watercolor challenge every quarter on my Substack paid tier. It’s always amazing to see us progress together and show up for one another.

I also offer 6 week live online watercolor class series. The Series is a rotating curriculum of live watercolor tutorials you can take from the comfort of your own home.

We meet as a group weekly to learn essential watercolor techniques and gain confidence in putting paint to the page. Some recurring topics include “The Beginner Series”, “Creatures and Critters”, “Watercolor Inks”, and “Watercolor Florals”.

These are intimate live lessons that leave plenty of time for questions and feedback. If you can’t make it live, sessions are sent to your inbox and available for 2 months after.

Recommended Resource: Join My 6 Week Live Online Watercolor Series

Step 7: Reflect and Adjust

Every month, take time to reflect on your progress. Are you meeting your goals? Do you need to adjust your routine or intention?

I personally love journaling about my creative journey, noting what worked and what didn’t, and setting new intentions accordingly.

FAQs on Setting Creative Intentions

• How do I stay motivated to follow my artistic goals?

Revisit your “why” often and seek inspiration from fellow artists.

My why didn’t come right away. It was more of a visceral, I need to do this or I will go crazy, kinda why. Either way, after much thought and hard tries to get in down on paper I now have this…

I started painting hoping to have a creative outlet that lets me relax. It gave me this and so much more. The greatest gift my watercolor practice gave me on top of time to slow into the present moment, was a re-initiation to my intuition.

This was a part of me that I had forgotten and felt suddenly available to me ~ in small glimmers at first ✨

Following my intuition was a process of leaning into self-trust. A skill that impacted my daily life as much as my painting practice. In my workshops I now get to witness students start to lean into their inclinations ~ their natural style ~ and shift their energy to allow themselves to experience the present moment through painting.

I teach because I am passionate about watercolor, but also because every time I get to help guide someone through their perfectionism or self-doubt to a place of ease and fluidity with the brush, I revisit those first feelings of self-trust.

• What if I don’t have time for art every day?

Start small, even 10 minutes counts. Flexibility is key.

When I was first starting out I tried to touch my paintbrush everyday even for a few minutes. Some days I would get there, somedays I would get out of bed and just do a little doodle… somedays I wouldn’t at all and that was okay too.

• Is it necessary to have a dedicated art space?

While helpful, even a portable setup works well for staying consistent.

When my kids were small and my free time even smaller… I left a little watercolor kit and stack of 5″x7″ cotton paper on my kitchen hutch. I’d dock there during naps and any little moment I had 🙂

---

Setting creative intentions isn’t about rigid rules; it’s about guiding yourself toward a more fulfilling artistic practice. By defining your why, setting achievable goals, and staying flexible, you can cultivate a watercolor practice (or any art form) rooted in self-discovery and care.

Ready to set your creative goals for the year? Subscribe to my Substack for more inspiration and actionable steps to create a watercolor practice that fits into your life beautifully.