It is really strange that I just now think that this is important: A working place.

You'll think: That is hilarious, why is she even blogging about this? 

But during my struggle of becoming an illustrator in today's hard times I really felt that I had to work on my working attitude. I had to find out: What distinguishs a professional illustrator from me? 

Before I rearranged my desk I just worked everywhere. When I got a commission, I worked lying/sitting in the bed, on the floor, on my sofa, on the balcony, just everywhere. The problem with this is (as long as you don't have a studio), that you have to tidy up your stuff when it's in the way etc. This means, that you get your work out of sight/out of focus and sometimes I even just wasn't in the mood to draw for I didn't want to tidy up afterwards.

Another enemy: Distraction. When I was lying in my bed and illustrated something I sometimes wasn't able to feel and build up the working spirit. I got distracted by my notebook (Facebook, Twitter, Art Communities) and started to work sloppily. I played with my dog, cooked etc. I forgot what I did there: I had to work! Even if it's something you also do in your "freetime", it is work and if you want to thrive as an artist, you really really have to take this to heart.

I arranged my working space. I ordered a cutting mat with a scala at the sides (I really love the Ecobra-mats!) and organized everything I would need during my illustration-/working-process and which DOESN'T has to be put away. Never ever ever ever!

This helps ms focus so much. When I am sitting at the desk I know: I am working now. This is important. When my dog sees me sitting there she knows: OK, she's busy now, I have to play with somebody else. When I feel that I get unconcentrated, I just leave everything as it is and return later or the next day without need to stow it away. It just helps so much!

If you want to archieve your goals you have to make IT all about attitude and consistancy, and something so mundane as a working station can be so important and even be worth a blog post.