I’ve committed to manifest the art-making section of my vision board. My schedule is tight, but I’ve decided to spend this summer cultivating daily art habits, no matter how tiny… even if it’s on the scale of nanoparticles because I’m determined to manifest “making art consistently.”
I do believe that manifesting starts with aligning your core self with your intentions then getting into action. According to productivity experts, the best actions are consistent and, initially, rather small in scope.
The book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear is really brilliant and I’ve applied its principles to work projects. It has great advice to manifest concrete change in your life but its principles of daily tiny habits doesn’t work with me for art making.
This is why I pulled out one of my favorite I Ching Hexagrams called “The Taming Power of the Small” to get inspired by its poetic depiction of productivity and maybe inspire you along the way.
It’s an ancient (think 1040 BC) Chinese divination text considered a foundational work in Chinese philosophy and cosmology. Traditionally, the I Ching is used as a divination tool. Practitioners ask a question and then generate a hexagram using methods such as casting yarrow sticks or tossing coins.
The resulting hexagram is then interpreted to provide guidance and insight. I’ve been throwing I Ching coins since high school so the 64 Hexagrams in the book are all too familiar to me now. And one of my favorites is the Hexagram 9, known as “The Taming Power of the Small.”
The image for Hexagram 9 is one of wind blowing clouds symbolizing rains are coming, even when the skies remain dry for now. It embodies the feeling of “not quite yet” teaching patience and faith in the natural unfolding of events.
The Taming Power of the Small embraces taking small steps, recognizing the value in each gentle action. This process involves accepting restrictions quietly and being content with gradual progress.
There are notable differences between the more contemporary Atomic Habits versus I Ching Hexagram 9, “The Taming Power of the Small.” While both approaches advocate for the power of small, consistent actions, my spiritual and artistically driven nature means that the methodology behind Atomic Habits doesn’t fully resonate with me.
Atomic Habits revolves around the idea that performing small daily habits can help create a new identity, which in turn solidifies those habits. However, as someone who already identifies as an artist, the act of doing art isn’t about making a new identity—it’s about expressing my existing essence.
For me, artistic creation is an act of self-love, giving myself time to nurture my spirit, and a way to tell stories in the material world by touching and making things without interacting with the digital world. My focus is on the intrinsic joy of creating rather than the extrinsic goal of identity formation or creating a lifetime of systems.
By adopting the Taming Power of the Small, I’m learning to appreciate the subtler, quieter ways of manifesting my creative aspirations. It’s a practice that aligns with my spiritual beliefs, allowing me to connect deeply with my work and trust in gradual, gentle growth.
Accepting restrictions quietly and being content with gradual progress is a significant challenge for me. My frustration over not being able to create art full-time, or even part-time, has sometimes left me feeling hollow and disillusioned.
However, Hexagram 9 imparts a crucial lesson: the rains are coming, even when the skies remain dry. It encourages me to persevere in my creative endeavors regardless of immediate outcomes, trusting that patience and steady effort will eventually yield results.
What I appreciate about the advice from the I Ching is that it underscores the importance of patience, restraint, and humility in achieving success. This perspective is particularly valuable as I re-enter the world of painting and art-making with a new attitude.
Instead of aiming to create great art, I am cultivating virtuous qualities and allowing myself the privilege of enjoying the benefits of creating art even without any visible gain.
This shift in focus allows me to appreciate the journey itself, making the process of creating art more fulfilling and meaningful. The emphasis is on the act of creation and how beautiful that feeling of creating can be if done consistently and I do need to be reminded of that.
In recent years, I’ve become less prolific as an artist because my work hasn’t generated income, leading to the practical issue of accumulating unsold paintings. With every move, these artworks have to be packed and transported, which has added to my frustration and sense of stagnation.
My self-worth around being an artist has never been that healthy. I rarely share my work with others and miss out on the positive feedback loop that could improve my confidence and motivation. This lack of external validation has made it difficult to sustain an enthusiastic and regular art practice.
Basically, I’ve lost my permission slip to make art consistently and with joy. And I want it back.
While I yearn to thrust my entirety into creating with passion and dedication, practical constraints prevent me from pursuing it on a larger scale.
Although I believe in manifestation, my art-making is clouded by limiting beliefs that make it seem impossible to go big right now. However, I’m not giving up, instead, I’m adopting a different approach that may lead to greater success than I’ve experienced in the past.
This is where the wisdom of Hexagram 9 comes into play. It offers me a source of comfort and guidance, suggesting that small, consistent efforts can still lead to meaningful progress even with a rather weak platform of confidence and faith (few clouds in sky with dry air).
In practical terms, this means approaching challenges with careful planning and incremental progress. For instance, dedicating a few minutes daily to sketching or experimenting with new techniques may seem insignificant, but over time, these small efforts accumulate into substantial artistic growth and a sense of well-being.
Also, embracing the Taming Power of the Small encourages a deeper connection with the present moment. It teaches me to be mindful of the here and now, to savor the act of creation without being consumed by the end goal.
This mindfulness fosters a sense of peace and contentment, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the creative process. When I paint, I am not just making art; I am engaging in a meditative practice that nurtures my spirit and sharpens my awareness.
By applying the wisdom of I Ching Hexagram 9, I am gradually re-entering my creative work and painting with less regret and more serenity.
I am hopeful that this approach will help me reconnect with my creativity in a profound and lasting way. The Taming Power of the Small is an exquisite practice in manifesting great things into existence, and with patient eagerness, I will see the results whenever they are ready to happen.
This gentle philosophy allows me to maintain hope and motivation even in the face of setbacks, knowing that every small step I take is a step closer to realizing my artistic vision and in every small step there are a few ounces of joy to be experienced.