I'm going to borrow a bit from TimC, who got me thinking on a subject I've wanted to ask. Thanks, Tim.
Anyone is welcome to respond to this thread and offer advice, so please do.

But what I'm looking for are responses from those who may not be "full-time artists," meaning those who perhaps work full-time outside the art world, with life bogged down with so many things, who find art as a more of a hobby in any spare time available...

Having taken many many art courses of various types in high school and college, I always felt immersed in some form of art "creation." Now a few years out, I feel as though one might feel after taking a few years of a foreign language in a classroom setting: you "use it or lose it." While I may not speak as much French as I did years ago, I do not want to lose my practice of art due to outside pressures.

SO, in such a busy, hectic world, what do you do to bring art- drawing, painting, anything- info your schedule? What motivates and insipres you? How do you make time to be sure and lay out your creativity on a regular basis?

For me, it's often my daughter. She's quite the artist herself, and when I can spend time with her and draw at the same time, that's a good thing.

Otherwise, though, I've been wondering the same thing myself. Things these days are just so hectic I find it very hard to make time for art.

Ditto. I guess because of the recession, I have found more time to draw/paint. But work has to come first, sadly! Art for me is purely a hobby that I fit in. I would dearly love to do this as a full time occupation, but I fear my talents are lacking. (despite the avid reasurances from members of this forum)

as a mom of 3 boys it can be tough to find time. mostly I spend an hr or 2 on drawing after work. I work so late that everyone is in bed when I get off and my job is so stressful I'm wound up. so for me it helps me wind down when I draw.

I also get the kids together to color while I draw. they always try to mimic whatever I'm working on.

my husband is supportive to. especially because we've been together 10 years and I have only got back into drawing a few months ago. till then he had never seen me draw. on weekends he takes the kids while I have some me time.

this weekend for my birthday he even bought me a portable easel that has a drawer for all my pencils n stuff.

This is a great topic... i think that it is something that most people struggle with. I work full time, have grand children, older parents, a husband, I enjoy traveling, camping, running.. so pretty much I have a full schedule! I am currently taking the online drawing classes being offered on drawspace... and until I signed on, I really felt like I didn't have time! Now, I make time! I feel that it is so important for my well-being that I make the time available. Cindy Wider is teaching a series of units called Paint in your PJ's, the premise is that you can work in small blocks of time if need be, so if you set your workspace up accordingly.. you can come back to it when you have a few moments. A few moments don't cut it for me... I get lost in the process... I love drawing, I get such personal satisfaction from it and the more I enjoy it, the more I seem to find time for it.

I seem to find time each day to set down and draw if its making a card for a birthday or a portrait of a child for a friend ..I relax when I draw ..some people play a game or have a drink to settle the days events .. me I pick up a pencil if only for a few min .

The lack of time is very recognizable. Even though I don't have grand children (I am 21) as a fulltime student I often wish I had more time!
When I want to spend time drawing and painting it is best for me to take a course. That way I am a littlebit forced to make time. Often when I have to go to class, I don't want to go because of the feeling that I'm way too busy. But as soon as I enter the room, I enjoy my evening and I always come back home very relaxed
Drawing at home I find difficult because I haven't got enough experience to make a nice fast sketch. I always have to sit down for at least 45-60 minutes to make something satisfying.

It always seems to be a strungle between study, work, boyfriend, household, friends, hobbies, visiting parents etc. But even when I don't have time to draw myself, I really enjoy reading your messages on this forum and look at the beautiful paintings and drawings you make. Most of the time you inspire me to say 'tonight I'm locking myself up in my room to draw and I let nobody interrupt me' and I'm lucky enough to have a boyfriend who leaves me be at those times.. Most of the time he even puts on some music for me and brings me a cup of tea, the sweetheart.

My story is the same as everyone else's here - full-time job, two-hour commute to get to job, caregiver for husband, cats, dog. For so many of us our obligations are all-consuming on good days, overwhelming on bad. Where do you find the quiet time to do what makes you happy? There have been books written on that subject, I'll not repeat them.

For me personally, drawing is a refuge and a retreat. I keep a sketch pad and basic supplies with me all the time, and either draw in my car on lunch breaks, or when the temperature soars above 90 (like today) you can find me at a Starbucks drawing for a few minutes. Any time I can get to draw at home is precious.

Sometimes, there are simply too many other activities going on in life to make room for art. More than once I've had to take a serious look at all the activities in my life and find what I could do without in order to have time for the things I love. Housecleaning was the first to go.

Hope this was helpful.

ncgirl.... I agree..it is about choices! Housecleaning was the first to go for me too! and the truth is I don't miss it!
(plus my husband now does laundry!

Wow, thanks for the great- though maybe it's not so great that we're all so incredibly busy- responses!
I by no means want to add these comments as a "closer," so keep 'em coming!

Steve- your work amazes me, as does the fact that you are not a full time artist. Love your work.

Twentse- as I say sometimes with my girlfriends, I think we must share a brain... haha. It's good to know there's someone out there a lot like me.

NCgirl- I LOVE that housekeeping is the first to go- good move. Unfortunately, as I still live with my rents to save up some $$. this doesn't always fly so well.

Thanks to everyone! It's good to know, for all of us I think, that we're not alone and can find a place to empathize.

My inspiration/motivation is between 50 and 60 long with two masts

Seriously though, most of it comes from reaching the goals I set for myself and the businesses. I like working for myself and being in control of my own fate.

This is always an interesting topic. With the recession, I lost my job in December and haven't found another yet. So along with the normal issues about time, frustration and aggravation with the job market is stressful and un-motivating. To get that motivation back and keep it there can be a little of a trick. Sitting around the house waiting for the phone to ring (if you're not there to catch the call, you won't ever get the job) is murder. And all the running around (seems endless at times), surely tires out a day quick.

So, I keep drawing journals and take one everywhere. In March, I decided to start a website about drawing with my portfolio. If I want the site to succeed, I have to keep up with it. To put content on the site, there are little drawings needed to illustrate points and ideas. It is a great way to get the creative juices flowing. There are news articles for current events on the site, so I'm also catching up on the latest art news as I go along. Seeing what art is new, viewing other's work whether online or at the museums, very inspiring. They're all great ways, for me anyway, to refresh what the job market is taking out; motivation.

And of course there are forums like this one that add an enormous amount of encouragement. So cool.