Happy Friday, wonderful readers, and welcome to our third discussion-based Open Mic! Join in the conversation at any time during the weekend, and invite your friends — the stage is open to all. Guest posts will return next week with flash fiction from Ja’Nese Dixon.
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Last week we explored our toughest challenges, what holds us back in life. This week, let’s go in the other direction and uncover our impulses toward growth and creation.
First off, by way of introducing yourself to the group: Do you call yourself an artist (if you like, substitute writer, painter, dancer, etc)?
Second, regardless of your answer to the first question: How does creativity manifest itself in your life? Is it too much (you’re often overwhelmed by projects)? Is it too little (you know you’re creative but haven’t found the perfect outlet)? Or is it a good balance?
Get thee to the comments and share! Remember, comments are threaded so you can reply to others, and I encourage you to do so. Converse!
satsumabug.com | Lisa Hsia 
Since last summer it’s become easier for me to call myself a writer and an artist. I’ve become adamant about it at some points, because I think I’ve done myself a disservice by shying away from saying it. I think I’ve been afraid of being put down, and of people thinking I’m weird. I don’t have time to even think about that crap anymore.
When I was working that awful job around Christmastime, I rarely wrote. I’m not good at rote memorization, so that seemed to be occupying most of my brain. I felt stifled then, so I guess I’m not sure how to manifest creativity with the pressures of a full time or a part time job, even if I am having ideas. These days, having the space to write when the muse comes calling, at least feels good in that respect.
Ré
Like you, Ré, I’ve been shy about calling myself a writer and artist, but after VONA last summer I decided to just do it. Sometimes I still qualify it with “not published,” but most of the time I don’t bother, and let it be what it is. But it is still tricky… when I’m doing a lot of art I feel like I’m not being enough of a writer, and when I’m doing a lot of writing I feel like not enough of a visual artist. Then I wonder whose expectations I’m trying to live up to anyway… it’s not like these are card-carrying groups with stiff regulations anyway!
Have you seen the Slice of Life writing project? Stacie (girlgriot) is doing it and just reading her slices and other people’s is inspiring me to feel more writery. 🙂
Do I call myself an artist? No. I am a dabbler. And that is fine. Actually, I consider my life my art, and not art my life. So I am happy to explore in lots of different directions. And I am inspired by everything, though not all at once. Books, magazines, galleries, museums, people I know who are creative, blogs (and this one in particular!), places I visit and love. Now that I have lots of time to do so, I try to honor that creative urge no matter what direction it takes me in. There is joy in just going where it leads!
“There is joy in just going where it leads!” I so agree! Much, much joy!
I was just reading last November’s issue of O Magazine (Oprah’s) and it was all about finding your calling. There were a couple of wonderful pieces about the importance of just following what interests you, no matter where it leads — whether to a job, a career, or just plain enjoyment! It’s advice I’m still learning to take, day by day!
I do call myself a writer and an artist. Sometimes that statement comes easily to me, sometimes it feels like someone else’s clothes I’m putting on and I’m afraid someone will say, “That dress you’re wearing– it doesn’t fit you.” It depends very much on the person I’m saying it to, too, because not everyone gets that you can be a writer and artist without being published or famous or exhibiting.
I would say that creativity manifests itself in my life in really overwhelming ways. I’ve been blessed with so many creative talents that it’s only in the past couple of years that I’ve recognized I can’t say yes to them all. I often envy people with one outstanding talent because I think it’s so much easier to focus when you know you’re just a writer or a sculptor or a dancer… but then, on the other hand, the more I see of creative people, the rarer a breed this single-talent artist seems to be! So maybe most creative people are sharing this boat with me… but maybe they’re not doing all their things at once, like I so often try to do. (I mentioned this in my response to Ré’s comment above, too.)
But I feel a lot of guilt and do a lot of second-guessing about where I spend my time. I was reading Willona’s great post on attending a writing conference, and it brought up these thoughts I’ve had for ages, about what I’m not doing and think I should be doing, for my education and self-challenging. I know I should be reading voraciously in the genres I work in (fiction, memoir, graphic novel), workshopping with fellow writers, and writing every day — but then when will I find time to go to museums and on artist dates, study art books, go out in the world to observe, and draw or paint every day? I worry about it constantly.
But then, everyone has to start somewhere, and maybe where I am is the right place for me.
It’s hard for me to find time for everything, too. I’ve been trying to read a book that I’m very interested in, but it’s going slowly because of my own writing, personal commitments, cleaning, and attempting to cook (because it’s cheaper than the Amy’s dinners I’d rather eat.) I’ve also been aching to start sketching and work out a new knit or crochet pattern. Is there anyone (who sleeps) who doesn’t feel like they only have time to do 20% of what they really want to do? I’ve been coming to terms with where I am at the moment, too. We’ve got to be okay because time only moves forward. Right?
Looks like it! 😐 And we have to try not to compare ourselves with others, too — that’s where I always run into trouble!
Lisa, I have a dear friend from childhood who is an artist. After college she worked in graphic design because she was told she couldn’t make a living in art. But she hated graphic design. So she quit. She and her husband moved to Eureka CA and she worked for many years at another job totally unrelated to art. Then a few years ago (15 or so) she discovered she could still draw! And has been painting ever since — 6 days a week, 8 to 5. Admittedly, she goes to lots of workshops, and shows, and does plein-air when ever she can. I love her work, and she is actually my #1 inspiration. But that kind of intensity would burn me out very fast. You are already ahead of the game as you have started serious work on your craft early and are learning to balance your life. My friend is trying to make up for all the years she wasn’t painting. Don’t lose your perspective — you are in a wonderful place right now. Enjoy everything!
Thank you dearly for the wise words, Sherry. Your friend does indeed sound like quite an inspiration! And you’re right; her intensity would burn me out, too, even though it’s precisely the kind of schedule I think I should be keeping, on those days when I’m feeling bad about my work habits. 🙂