I wrote this note for my MFA illustration class:

   Summer break is over and Fall semester begins. This is the time when most of you have to switch gears from being relaxed to a hectic schedule at school. All the sudden you have all these projects at school and you feel overwhelmed. Art school is no different than an academic university, you have deadlines, projects, and term papers to complete. Everybody has a schedule and obligations to complete during the day.

   A common phrase I’ve heard in my classes at the beginning of the semester is “I’m too busy!” And there’s a certain tendency to use this as an excuse for a poorly executed assignment. Most of our busyness problem comes from poor time management, and a lack of balance between personal life and work/school.

   Some of you might even think that teachers have an easy going schedule, and the only thing we have to do is critique and grade your work. I’m going to share my list of commitments from last week.

• I had to complete the online training for new instructors by the end of the week.
• Every day I have to drop off and pick up my wife from work. Her job is 45 minutes away from our home. That means it takes me 3 hours  per day.
• I’ve had two illustration deadlines to meet. To be more specific, from sketch to finish!
• There were a couple of dinners with my in-laws.
• I’ve had to check in with my online classes every day.
• I teach private lessons for three students. Each class is 2 hours long/4 times a week.
• I’ve had to take my cat to the vet, because she was dying from poisoning.
• I’m working on sketches for seasonal promotional pieces.
• Also, I still do my small painting of the day on my sketchbook.
• I’ve had to spend quality time with my wife. Taking her to dinner/movies.
• During some time in the day I have to get my coffee and eat lunch.
• I still have to take my dog out for walks.
• I’ve had to pick up some boxes/furniture from the storage facility
• I’ve had to send prints for my clients.

   At the end of the day, no matter how much stuff goes on my life I have to complete my obligations. They do not stop me from doing my job. I enjoy what I do, and will always give my clients professional sketches and illustrations. Nor, will I tell my online students that I’m not available to critique their work.

   This busyness fever was present when I was in college, and a handful of my classmates used it as an excuse for poor work. They forgot their parents were paying a highly expensive tuition, and most importantly, they forgot to nurture their career. They didn’t realize how lucky they were to learn from big names in the industry. They took for granted the resources the school offered them, and now are working at miserable jobs.

   Like every career, to be a successful at illustration takes dedication, time, and the will to be better. There’s a certain illusion that if you chose a “normal” career your life will be stable. In the world there are plenty of mediocre lawyers, accountants, doctors, engineers, and so on. It’s not a matter of talent, it’s a matter of attitude.

    I share this with you because I care about what my students learn. Last night I had the same chat with one of my private students. He was so stubborn, that he didn’t want to do the exercise I gave. I said I could let him do whatever he wanted, because at the end of the day I get paid for my time go home and sleep happy. But I clarified to him that my main concern was for him to become a better artist. To learn something new. Student success is the most rewarding part of teaching, and not the $ like some might think.

     The same I say to you! You’re MFA students and you should set your bar higher. During this semester there will be bigger and tougher assignments. And I expect better things from you. In a couple of years you will graduate and your work has to compete with every professional out there! And you have to be at their level.

    I clarify that you should NOT go to the other extreme and not take care of your health! Remember, the key word here is time management. Write down everything you do during the day, and try to organize it. Make yourself a schedule!

    Love what you do, don’t see it as a chore because you’re going to be miserable. Don’t blame your poor time management for your mediocre piece. Ask yourself how good you want to be. Be curious! You guys have a great gift, which is the ability to draw and create. Consider yourselves lucky.

                                                 JM