Like most North American women, I’ve read countless dieting tips over the years. One that’s on my mind today is the suggestion to serve meals on a salad plate, instead of a dinner plate, because the smaller size will help smaller amounts of food look like more, in addition to helping you scale back your portion sizes (there simply isn’t room for too much). I’ve been trying something similar with my artwork this week and just wanted to share these small successes.

Having a pad of 4″ x 6″ watercolor paper has been a game changer for me. I know, I know, I could’ve cut larger sheets into any size I wanted/needed, but I rarely did. I’d stare at the large sheet of untouched paper and dither over what size to cut it down to or whether to leave it whole, especially when I just wanted the exercise of painting, with no real goal or subject in mind. Meanwhile, the little pad of paper is ready-to-go and prevents me from getting lost down that rabbit hole. Plus, the size keeps my subjects simpler. A tree. A few flowers. A simple scene. Done.

I feel the same way about rock painting. Small surface = fewer decisions (always a plus). Even better, they cost (almost) nothing so I don’t sweat “wasting” them the way I would an actual canvas. Here’s what I cranked out as part of my 7 hours this week.

There’s really so much I could apply the “salad plate rule” to. Can’t wrap my head around the next month or even week? Focus on today. Too many things need my attention and I’m frozen by indecisiveness? Make a list of everything I’m worried about, then pick one to tackle. Too hot to walk for 30 minutes? Take a walk around the block, breathing deeply and appreciating my body’s ability to move. Judging myself for not blogging for the last few days? Share pics and a few observations about what I’ve been working on, and call it good.