How early should I start preparing my art or music portfolio?

Don’t wait until the night before the deadline to grab a paintbrush or an instrument and cross your fingers. Start early, my friend. Aim for at least six months in advance. Why? Because portfolios take time to develop. You need space to create, reflect, tweak, and critique. Also, you might want to throw in some revisions based on feedback, and that doesn’t happen overnight. Starting early also gives you time to not panic and re-record that song 37 times. Plus, when you have extra time, you can actually enjoy the process—like a fine wine, your portfolio needs time to breathe. Start early. Breathe. Thank me later.