Step into the fascinating world of artists’ daily lives, where each day unfolds uniquely, inspiring us in countless ways. These visionary creators not only dedicate themselves to their art but also prioritize their families and well-being. Today, we dive into the routines of five women artists, discovering how they balance their creative passions with life’s demands. Join us as we uncover the captivating rhythms and rituals that shape their days, offering insights and inspiration for all who seek to unleash their artistic spirit.

1. Yana Beylinson

Investigating themes of spirituality and our connection to the divine, painter Yana Beylinson dives deep into the botanical complexities of floral composition, employing the immediacy and ephemeral nature of live subjects as a catalyst for purposeful and focused action without the interference of daily distractions. On asking what a typical day looks like, Yana shares-

I wake up early and have breakfast with my family. After my younger son leaves for school, I make a fresh cup of tea and walk to my studio. This is a sacred space for me, and I enter it as such, with reverence and gratitude. The building was a pool house in our backyard which I refitted to be a proper artist studio, with a good light, white walls, and an abundance of good energy. After checking my emails I make a plan for the day. If it is a painting day, I sit down in front of the painting in progress and think about the next step. I light up my favorite incense and put on devotional music (Deva Premal is my favorite). I go into painting like stepping into a clear healing stream. I keep working until 4 pm when my son comes back from school. Then I redirect to the second portion of my day: we go to his activities or a park, have dinner, and walk the dog. I usually come back to my studio later in the evening to clean up and to put my painting to bed – which means resolving the edges that are too hard. Since I work wet into wet, it needs to be done sooner rather than later. On my teaching days, I don’t paint and devote all of my time and energy to my students. I teach on Zoom with private students, with a unique approach for every person.

2. Jean Cherouny

Jean Cherouny is an American abstract expressionist artist, best known for her distinctive
“Rollerblade Paintings” and public performances that burst with athletic energy, yet
possess an ethereal, meditative quality. Cherouny’s “action paintings” feature an eye-catching interplay of vibrant colors, repetitive patterns, and intricate textures. Each rolling wheel on the canvas represents movement and flow and embodies a striking synthesis of personal creativity and athleticism. Jean sharing a day in her life-

I wake up early to read and write after a walk or rollerblading. I like to study the works hanging in the studio then throw down the canvas and start my process. My goal is to stay loose in my painting. I move back and forth between the large painting on the floor which is a piece of canvas. I get lost in time. By the afternoon the layers have dried. It gets hot here so I hold off and stay in the air conditioning doing work on my website or meeting with artists on Zoom or in person. Before bed, I like to reflect in my journal and do a few sketches with my markers. To paint is to stay sane according to Louise Bourgeois. I think of her as I work and the many artists that came before me. While I paint in layers, I am not afraid because each layer speaks some truth to me. This truth is that the colors connect me to my inner peace and struggle. Ultimately, I want to find a stopping place that balances that truth with what I think is new and powerful. During my morning observations of nature and light here in Aruba many of the colors come into my focus especially the green and blue because of the ocean that surrounds me. As an abstract painter, I look to the old masters and modern painters who inspire my work. I keep saying to myself, “The joy of my painting comes from not knowing what will come next, letting go of my inner emotions to experience the paint.

3. Debra Cook Shapiro

Debra is an oil painter who mainly works on the themes of parties and celebrations, figurative work in beautiful outdoor settings. The vibrantly costumed figures capture the joy of those moments that are common but all too rare in our lives. This is what Debra has to share on asking how a typical day looks like for her-

I start the morning with a ten minute minutes of gratitude, planks, some weight-lifting, and a few moments of silence or reading before entering the studio. I raise the studio shades to get the north and west light on my easel and write my 3 intentions for my mindset and painting agenda for the day on a Post-it. I leave my notifications off for the first two hours while I am fresh for 25-minute Pomodoro painting or writing segments with no breaks for coffee, food, phone, or other distractions until the timer sounds. I start by refreshing my palette and organizing the room for the first few minutes. The room is small and every inch counts so I have to optimize placement and remove anything I don’t absolutely need for the task at hand. I like to have my first-morning session in silence while my concentration is at a peak. If I can’t calm my thoughts or stay focused I listen to Tibetan sound bowls on the app, Insight Timer, or meditations from The Miracle Morning to center myself. I exercise or take a walk in the middle of the day for an hour and a half and resume painting as I listen to podcasts, a book, or music. I have a few hours after dinner when I catch up on computer work and life’s business that I have learned to put at the end of the day after my painting goals have been prioritized. It has been a game-changer for my productivity as I have a mind that is resistant to staying focused unless I train it and remove tempting distractions like Instagram and my phone texts.

4. Melissa Gile

Melissa Gile’s work is inspired by her journey of finding a sense of home after she left Seattle in 2014 and since then has made more than 15 moves within Europe and the United States. Gile is currently working out of her home studio located in Hamburg, Germany. Melissa sharing a day in her life-

My studio days are so segmented by nature that I have to split them with other responsibilities like a day job. I am grateful for my home studio for this, which is perfectly suited for short bursts in the studio. In general, I like to begin and end my days with studio time about 2-5 days a week depending on my goals for the season. Kind of like doing regular sports, this routine strengthens my creative muscles and keeps me mentally tuned into my current projects. In the mornings before work, I steal 20-45 minutes to paint while I drink my coffee. In the evenings after dinner, I like to work my way back into the studio by making myself tea and journaling about my day. I find this time to check in with myself grounds me, and provides me with a solid foundation before getting back into the studio.

5. Sheela Becton

Sheela Becton was born and raised in India and moved to the US in 1997. She lives in Silver
Spring, Maryland, where she embraces her love for painting. The brushwork in her art
often tells the story of her memories from life and travels in India, showcasing the rich
tapestry of her cultural heritage. Through color, form, and texture she blends the elements of nature and cultural heritage on her canvas and aims to create a space where viewers can reflect on their own connection to the world around them. Her art is an invitation to explore the universal themes of harmony, balance, and interconnectedness that transcend cultural boundaries. Sheela on asking what a typical day looks like for her-

I always like to start my day in the studio with a few minutes of meditation to ground myself. I usually have multiple paintings going on at one time and I spend about 3-5 hours in the studio; so, I like to organize my thoughts on what I would like to work on that day to make sure I am bringing my vision or story for a painting to fruition. Although I start with everything I need organized as the day passes It gets messy building synergy between chaos and creativity.

Read the full interviews of the artists here. For more inspiration visit our Artists interview section on our website.