What would happen if you stopped consuming and focused only on creating? If you cut the reading, the TV, the internet browsing, and other outside influences we put INto our minds – influences that interfere with what we put OUT when we create.

That’s the challenge my friend Joel invited his readers to try for 5 days or 3 or as long as you choose as part of a “Continuous Creation Challenge”.

I took on this challenge 3 separate times, and I’m here to share my unique results, struggles, and aha-moments with you.

But most importantly I’m going to explain to you why continuous creation is a bigger challenge if you’re a PARENT.

First, here’s the most important thing to note about the CCC -

Joel says, “there’s no “right” way to do a Continuous Creation Challenge.” 

You choose what you stop consuming and for how long. If the way you do it is different from everyone else, nobody will tell you “you’re doing it wrong”. Plus, he has these cool resources to help you organize and personalize your experience.

Second, don’t trust your results the first time around.

Like most experiments, it’s not enough to do it once. If you try a challenge like this and don’t see the benefit right away (but, you probably will) then do it again. The most important thing I learned is that what I need to stop consuming is different from other people. And it took the 3rd attempt to get to this aha-moment.

Third, there is no third. On to my results…

I’m what you would call a professional starter. I start things. Lots of things. Finishing? Not so much. So, when I began this challenge, I made a list of all my open projects. After looking at the list, I couldn’t choose one, so I played around with all of them in hopes to rekindle my enthusiasm for at least one or two of them. 

What I worked on 

I worked on various projects like, creating a new website, writing fiction and finishing a few essays.

What I thought I needed to stop consuming

I chose to cut out what most people, instinctively would – email, social media, TV, and reading. And it turned out that most of these usual suspects weren’t so bad. 

Email and social media are methods of communication for me. To cut those things out would mean to cut out a major part of my adult interaction. As a single mom who spends the majority of her time at home with a 6 and 3-year-old, I found the thought of cutting out any bit of adult interaction depressing — depression, in turn is worse for my creativity than consuming ever would be.

And when it comes to TV – I don’t watch much to begin with. TV has never been an addiction or a distraction for me, as it is for others. 

Reading was one thing I consume A LOT of that I felt was worth giving up for a few days. Yup, the one thing everyone thinks is SO good for you is what was most distracting.  When I read, my mind shifts into hyper-focus and hours can pass before I realize how much time has gone.

Reading anything self-helpy is especially distracting because I only find a small percentage of it useful because it’s not tailored to my personal needs. Writers who write in the genre of self-help are typically giving you advice based on their experience.

[cue irony]

Just like I’m doing right now.

I’m sharing with you my results from my personal experience. There’s a chance that what works for me is not what you need to do at all. I think if I were to cut out reading self-help for a month that would be very beneficial. It would force me to trust my own decision and problem solving capabilities instead of relying on advice from every random stranger with a laptop and a blog.

Now, on to the final epiphany I had, on the 3rd attempt of this challenge…

In which I overlook the obvious…

Even though I cut a lot of my consuming, I still didn’t get much creating done until attempt 3 because I overlooked one obvious fact:  

I’m a mom. The one thing I consume more than anything else is my children’s wants and needs – 24/7.

So, I didn’t need a break from TV or social media as much as I needed a break from my kids if I was going to create continuously.

I’m not saying that if you’re a Creative and a parent, then get rid of your kids ’cause they’re crampin’ your artsy crafty style. I’m saying that for me, kids and continuous creation didn’t mix – artist and mother are two different roles that I have no interest in combining.

I’m grateful for both roles, but I get the most out of them when I separate them. When I dedicate a set time to my children and a separate set time for creating. 

This is an important realization for me because, like many moms, I’ve been conditioned to believe that if I’m not spending and enjoying! every minute with my kids then I’m falling short somehow. Which is nonsense.

So, let the UN-conditioning begin.

I’m re-conditioning myself to believe – without guilt –  that my children don’t need me all the time.

When I think about my own father and the life he lived, and everything he created with his talents, I remember that I had someone very talented to look up to. If I never give myself the time and space I need to use my talents, then I won’t be giving my children the same example my father gave me. 

So, if you’re a parent, and you decide to take on this continuous creation challenge, don’t feel guilty about seeking out your support system so you get the space you need to create.

If I had to leave you with one final thought, it’s this:

Distractions are relative.

What’s distracting for you, might not be for me and vice versa.

The real challenge of the Continuous Creation Challenge was figuring out what I, specifically, needed to stop consuming.

What about you?

Are you ready to consume less and create more?

What would you cut and how long would you go?

Naturally, some Marvel fans were outraged, heaven-forbid a screenwriter or director uses their imagination to surprise the audience.

I think what many fans don’t appreciate is that screenwriting, directing, and all that goes into a film – it’s all creative work. There’s room for some self-expression.

Books turned into films are not the only creative adaptations.

People also adapt paintings, music, costumes, etc. 

The challenge and risk of adapting

The challenge lies in taking what’s already loved and changing it while still maintaining the spirit of the original inspiration.

The only risk is that when you put your work out there it’ll be under intense scrutiny by fans who are protective of the original work. 

For example, take a look at my favorite fictional character:

Sherlock Holmes.

We’ve seen Holmes classically adapted in the 80′s-90′s British series, Sherlock Holmes.

A contemporary adaptation in the series, Sherlock. 

A more comical adaptation in the show, Elementary.
(OK, it’s not meant to be a comedy but I can’t take that show seriously)

And a completely different approach with the show House which uses Sherlock Holmes as inspiration to create something different.

And there’s a lot more adaptations than that.

Sherlock Holmes has been portrayed by more than 75 actors and holds the Guinness World Record for “Most Portrayed Literary Human Character in Film & TV.”

I couldn’t imagine dealing with the critics and over-protective fans when attempting to take on a character that is so well-known. When the series, Elementary, launched, Holmes fans responded with comments like:

“Another abuse of the Greatest Detective.”

“Doyle is rolling around in his grave over this.”

“This is by all means a mockery . Hopefully it will fall into oblivion .”

“Some things “Classic” should be left alone.”

“The American versions of British television is terrible in general.”

“Kill it with fire.”

The friction between fandom and creating

I’ve written before about the benefits of shifting away from a fan mindset. I’m not against being a fan of anything. I do consider myself a Sherlock Holmes fan. But acting like a fan is very limiting. It can cause you to put a piece of creative work on a pedestal and then there’s little room for imagining how the work could be different.

Once you enter fandom, there’s no creating,
only appreciating or idolizing what’s already been done.
(and whining and complaining if anything changes)

Why give thought to creative adaptations at all?

Because it opens your mind. When you consider how something could be changed, you stop being the fan or the audience and it challenges you to, in a sense, create beside the very Artist you admire. 

No piece of creative work is untouchable.
(in the sense that you can use whatever you want as inspiration) 

And very little in this world is actually original.

You could say that everything is an adaptation to some degree.

We all build upon what we know, what we feel, read, see, and hear.

As much as people like to say, “creativity is making something from nothing” – it’s just not true. 

Creativity is made up of our unique interpretation of everything we consume and our ability to create interesting connections.

Even the great detective said himself,

“Everything comes in circles… The old wheel turns, and the same spoke comes up. It’s all been done before, and will be again.”

(-Arthur Conan Doyle, The Valley of Fear )

A pro practices. They don’t just play the part. They live it.

Burlesque dancer, Dita Von Teese lives and breathes the Art of Seduction.

Dita doesn’t spend all week in her sweat pants waiting for an opportunity to seduce. She doesn’t play the part only if she has a show to do or a date on Friday night.

Seduction is her life.

In a recent video, she went on to explain that if you say to yourself, “I need to figure out how to seduce someone” and you’ve never thought about it before, then it won’t come naturally to you.

That’s why she indulges in her Art on a daily basis.

Dita says…

“The most important part of seduction
is when you’re well-practiced in it.”

Isn’t that true of any Art?

Dita knows that everything affects how sexy she feels. She knows it’s not only about how she looks, but the fragrances and lighting in her home, and the entire atmosphere.

She knows how to indulge in her Art and nurture her creativity.

And it’s this practice of her craft that makes her a pro.

Anybody can doll themselves up at the last-minute and play the part.

That doesn’t mean that’s who they are.

That doesn’t mean that’s what they live.

Just like a real extrovert indulges in being outgoing on a regular basis. Not only on Saturday nights.

Just like a professional writer will write daily. Not only when he’s inspired or has a brilliant idea.

Just like a professional photographer is able to capture everyday moments artistically. Not only when someone poses or when there’s a perfect ‘Kodak moment’. No, he’s capable of finding the moment everywhere, everyday.

I think that when you consciously or unconsciously decide this is what I want to do, then you begin to live it. You practice.

It happened to me when I first started decorating cakes. I indulged in that craft so much, one of my bosses called me a “cake nerd”. Eventually, I went to culinary school to learn baking and confectionery arts professionally and I practiced it for 12+ years.

Though I’m a stay at home mom and don’t practice it much now, I know that any craft I’ve begun to learn since then has evolved in the same manner – like writing, for example. I start by practicing. And eventually it begins to feel natural.

Without the practice, then I’m just playing a part.

Anybody can play a part.

Anybody can try to figure out how to write a book and upload it to Amazon. That doesn’t mean they’re living a writer’s life.

Anybody can quickly search for tutorials to learn how to draw and even upload their work to RedBubble. That doesn’t make them an Artist.

Any amateur can do research and play a part for a day or for a moment.

But, real professionals indulge in their practice daily.

**

How do you indulge in the practice of your craft?

How does your atmosphere nurture your creativity?

I sat through the movie Lincoln last night which was kind of hard to do.

It’s a good story, but I’m a very visual person and it was so dark and dreary. Blacks, browns, and greys were most prominent on the screen and so much of it is either shot in a dark lit room or outside at night. And I’m not sure if it was just me, but most of the actors voices were a bit muffled. These factors would’ve been enough to put me to sleep.

The only reason I sat through it is because the way Lincoln was portrayed reminded me of my father – His love for storytelling, the humor, the positive attitude and light-hearted demeanor even in hard times. All this likability underneath a distinguished and dignified presence. I enjoyed watching his character.

If it wasn’t for these personal reasons, I couldn’t have sat through it.

This reminded me, once again, that personal reasons are almost impossible to compete with.

I’ve written about this before. About how we don’t have control over what someone’s personal reason is for liking or not liking what we create.

This makes me better understand why Andy Warhol said:  “Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.”

I think Warhol knew he didn’t have control over how his work would be received so there was no use worrying about that.

All that matters is that you keep creating.

Because an artist doesn’t know in advance if they’re going to make a personal connection. Sometimes they don’t know afterwards, either.

Perhaps, if more people shared how a piece of creative work personally affected them instead of just saying “I like it” or “I don’t like it” then more Artists could better appreciate the impact of their work. More Artists could understand why their job matters. They could see how what they create goes far beyond mere self-expression.

So, I encourage you to do that, if you’d like.

Next time a piece of creative work affects you in a personal way, be vulnerable enough to share why. Because when we share our personal reasons, we give Artists another reason to keep creating.

[ From Denise:  A few weeks ago, I wrote an Article about how labels and comparisons weaken creativity. Today, David is going to share with you the other side of that idea: How labels and comparisons STRENGTHEN creativity... ]

Understanding the roles we play in society and with each other, the labels we give ourselves, is as important as anything I can think of. Learning our roles, arguing about them, playing with them, nurturing them, and ultimately owning them is how labels fuel our creativity.

First, my beef with so-called Artists

Maybe I’m picking a fight, but I don’t like namby pamby dabblers calling themselves Artists.

Making art is not easy.

Oh sure, those moments of Flow can feel effortless, but that’s only because we ride a thin line where our skills barely rise to meet the challenges we set for ourselves, and along that line, we lose our selves. Time disappears. We emerge transformed.

If you aren’t doing that, calling yourself an Artist in my presence will raise a sneer.

And if you aren’t actually making art, grrr…

People have always called me an Artist, but I couldn’t always agree. I have a degree in fine art, and I can draw like a demon, but that doesn’t make me an Artist.

There was a period of ten years when I didn’t make art. I wasn’t an Artist then, and I’d say so, which bothered some people, like they were counting on me to personify their ideal of Artist. That reaction made me more resolute to own the label.

I’m an Artist now. I even turned pro.

Maybe you’re thinking, “Jeez, Delp. Give up your obsession! Labels are too restrictive. Titles are for The Man.” Denise outlined many ways labels can cramp our creativity, but give me a few hundred more words before you toss them aside.

We all play many roles.

Yes dammit, I’m an Artist. I’m also a Designer, Singer, Gardner, Father, Friend, Son, Lover, Entrepreneur, and as a Teacher, I help people first come to grips with the different roles they play in their lives.

By understanding who we are in different situations, we can shape our behavior, craft our goals, and more thoroughly engage with the rich worlds inside those roles.

In contrast, it’s hard to get your act together if you don’t know your roles.

For example, it took me almost a decade out of art school to separate my roles as Artist and Designer / Service Provider. I kept bashing them together, flailing at both.

I love confronting the questions at the edge of what our culture deems acceptable, provoking, taunting, seducing, dealing blows to the mythical stories we hold dear. As James Baldwin so aptly identified us, “Artists are here to disturb the peace.”

That’s why playing the role of Artist with my design clients was a big mistake. They wanted me to solve business problems and help communicate clearly to their customers. As an Artist I was always sabotaging my attempts.

I remember asking a client in all seriousness, “Don’t you love that distorted, distressed type? I know it’s almost illegible, but don’t you think working a little harder to read is a good thing sometimes?”

I was young.

When I learned my role as a Designer, my rates doubled, right away. I understood I was a partner in someone else’s business, and my clients felt my dedication to their needs. My skills found a purpose. I got much better at it.

As an Artist, once I separated my roles, I found my voice, literally.

I moved from painting into singing and songwriting and writing plays. The questions I posed to my audience were no longer bound by service to a business. As an Artist my challenge was to engage people at the edge of their comfort. I got much better at it.

So what is an Artist?

Whether or not you call yourself an Artist is semantics. (That’s a good thing. Words have meaning. Attaching words to what we do helps create meaning.)

I’m fairly clear about what being an Artist means to me:

To make art is to lure people into an argument they can’t back out of. Shock them, entrance them, fool them, or knock their socks off, but leave no doubt they have experienced personal alteration.

In my opinion, if you are comforting us with a story we already know, you’re something else, maybe an Entertainer— or a Babysitter. We need those, too, but I’m not going to call you an Artist.

Do you call yourself an Artist? What does that mean to you?

An Artist turns pro: The case of Diana Gameros

Diana Gameros is an Artist. When I met her, she knocked my socks off. I couldn’t believe this gorgeous woman who sings like and angel was playing the tiny restaurant where I ate. People shook their heads in confusion, “What is she doing here?”

Diana was an Artist, but she hadn’t turned pro.

Our first conversations were about her frustration. When she was a Student she understood her role, and the structure of classes shaped her goals. She aced school.

Without that structure she didn’t know how to focus her energy. She knew she wanted to share her music with a broader audience but was overwhelmed by a lack of focus.

As a Musician, she knows how to show up for gigs and do her awesome thing. It was soon after we identified her role as a Professional that she changed her behavior and found focus with her career. She turned pro.

Steven Pressfield describes what it means to turn pro in The War of Art, his masterful kick in the pants for Artists of all varieties. Reductively summarized: Do the work. Refine your craft. Put in the hours until everything that is set against your doing the work, as he names it, Resistance, loses out to your habits.

“Resistance hates when we turn pro.”

Diana knew that embracing the role of Professional started with fundraising for her first CD. It was hard work every day. She had to learn how to compose a campaign and ask for help, specifically and strategically, without compromising her generous spirit.

While this sounds like pure drudgery, it wasn’t.

She collaborated with other artists to create promotional materials. She reached out to producers, video editors, and her fans and found her generosity reciprocated.

Her fundraising campaign was a big success, and she’s been in the studio recording for the last few months.

So, it’s true that turning pro isn’t always about the discipline to make art. It’s also about doing everything else that supports your role as an Artist.

Creativity isn’t cordoned off for Artists.
Pick a role and turn pro.

Don’t fool yourself thinking creativity is relegated to Artists. Creativity is something anyone can learn and practice. I think of creativity as the energy we put into making the world better.

If you are driven by curiosity and the desire to innovate, you produce work that people can respond to, and you respond to those responses by adapting and producing more refined work, you are one creative human fireball in my book.

Some of the most creative people I know are not Artists.

They are Mothers, Gardners, CEOs, Physicians, Yoga Instructors, Scientists, even one Accountant I know.

They embrace their roles. They dig deep to live up to their ideals of those labels. They turn pro. They own them.

What creative roles to you play?
Which one do you own like it’s no one else’s business?

__________________________________________________

You can connect with David on: 

Twitter 

Facebook

And his website:  Pilot Fire

Ratatouille is one of my favorite movies. I’m sure my years working in the culinary arts has a lot to do with my affection for it.

For those who don’t know: it’s the story about a rat named Remy, who has a gift for culinary arts. But, because he’s a rat in a human’s world, being a chef is a crazy dream to realize. But, with the help of a human chef with little talent, that changes.

I was watching it last night, and realized there is plenty to learn about creativity from this wonderful Pixar film.

Here are just a FEW of the lessons I picked up from it….

The New Needs Friends

The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations.
The new needs friends.

When you’re launching something new into the world, something you created, something different from what people are used to…

Sometimes, no matter how good it is, it might not be received with open arms. At least, not INITIALLY.

It might make people uncomfortable because it’s different.

It can take time to accept something new.

The new needs friends.

So, it helps to create for yourself a small network of highly supportive people when you’re launching your creations, if you don’t already have one.

Ignore Criticism

In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little, yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so.

Don’t take criticism to heart.

And more often than not… don’t listen to it at all.

I’ve found that very few critics offer real valuable criticism.

The kind that you really learn from.

The kind that is thoughtful.

And makes your work better, ya know?

The good kind of criticism? That’s more rare.

The rest, you could do without.

Fixing What’s Broken IS Creating

After watching a batch of soup getting ruined by another chef, Gusteau says to Remy…

What are you waiting for?
You know how to fix it. This is your chance! 

Sometimes creativity and making Art is simply fixing what other people have ruined. Or what other people didn’t get quite right.

Sometimes, you’re building on an idea that’s already been worked on.

Just because the idea isn’t yours, doesn’t mean you need to hold back.

You know how to fix it. What are you waiting for?

Create Because it’s What You Do 

Django: Where are you going?
Remy: Back to the restaurant! They’ll fail without me!
Django: Why do you care?
Remy: Because I’m a cook!

Just yesterday, I said to a friend…

“I’m going through a ‘why am I doing this’ phase again”.

Ya know, when you wonder…what’s the point of writing, having a blog, trying to start a business, or any other creative endeavor…. Why do I care?!

The reason we keep showing up is because this is what we are.

Remy was a cook. He couldn’t deny it. He cared.

Sometimes, the answer to “what’s the point?” is as simple as…

Because I’m a [fill in the blank].

It’s what you do, so do it. That simple.

Let Go and Choose Growth

You could fill a book – a lot of books – with things Dad doesn’t know. And they have. Which is why I read.

Remy knew there was more to life than what he had seen thus far.

A creative needs to let go of attachment to ‘how they were raised’ or what any other authority figure, mentor, guru, or peer has tried to indoctrinate in them. 

If you’re going to create anything new, you gotta go beyond that. 

Support Other Artists With THEIR Vision

It was *his* job to be unexpected.
It is *our* job to follow the recipe. 

Sometimes, in a creative collaboration, not everyone is THE Artist.

Sometimes one Artist needs a team of people to help them carry out their vision. You might not like that statement, especially if you’re a solopreneur and work independently.

Yes, you can offer suggestions and ideas. 

But ultimately a team is following a single “recipe” to carry out a single vision.

And if you are not THE Artist that doesn’t make your role less valuable. 

We all need each other to fulfill our dreams and goals.

Ideas Are Literally EVERYWHERE

Gusteau: There is excellence all around you. You need only to be aware to stop and savor it.
Remy: Oh, Gusteau was right….. Each flavor was totally unique. But, combine one flavor with another, and something new was created!

Ya know that question all creatives get asked?

Where do your ideas come from?!

As if there really is some profound answer to that question.

Like we have to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro to get our ideas.

Ideas are EVERYWHERE.

Even in the most seemingly ordinary activity.

You can find excellence if you stop and savor it.

Write it down. Come back to it later.

Combine it with other ideas and create something unique.

Think about it. The idea for this article came from a Disney movie.

Not EVERYONE Will Be an Artist

In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteau’s famous motto, “Anyone can cook.” But I realize, only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist; but a great artist *can* come from *anywhere*.

I don’t believe we are all Artists. 

Sorry, but I don’t.

Anyone CAN regardless of their background or any other stereotype. 

I think we’re all creative in some way. Some more than others.

But not everyone will become a talented Artist in their chosen field.

And that’s OK. Because WE ALL MATTER regardless of our titles.

An “Artist” is not better than a “non-Artist”. 

Do you not think the dishwasher in a Restaurant is a highly valued part of the creative process?

These positions that nobody every wants to talk about merit our respect.

When one cook calls out sick, the kitchen manages.

When the dishwasher calls out, disaster ensues. Believe me.

The point here is to acknowledge and respect the people who contribute to your success as an Artist.

***

So… I could go on about Ratatouille. Really, I could.

But, I’d rather hear from you. Have you seen this movie? 

Did any of my points resonate with you?

At least 3 times in the last month, I discovered artwork via facebook I was interested in BUYING. But, each time, the image would have no credit, Artist’s name, link.. or anything.

Fortunately, I’m resourceful and can use key words to search for an image and discover the Artist. But, not everyone will do what I did.

No link and they’re moving on.

I know this is nothing new, but let’s address it, anyways…

When you discover an image online – art, photography, or other creative work – there’s one thing you know for certain:

You know if you like it.

You also know if you like it so much, you want to share it with friends.

What you don’t always know for certain is whether that image was created for fun only, or also for PROFIT.

You don’t always know which images are a product of someone’s livelihood.

Why don’t we always know?

Because too many images are shared without proper credit.

I’ve done it without realizing it. Maybe you have too.

And it will continue to happen.

Writing this article won’t stop it. 1000 articles like this won’t stop it.

The point is to spread awareness.

Awareness is lacking these days because we’re in a hurry.

In a hurry to share, pin, tweet, plus. To get it on our walls, streams, and boards like now.

But, what if I told you it isn’t hard to share and credit? Yes. For real.

But, wait…

Shouldn’t an Artist be happy if their work is being shared at all?
(credit or not)

Their ego is happy, I’m sure. Their bank accounts? Not so much.

It may feel good for a Professional Artist to see their work shared and loved a million times, but in the end… that piece of Art is still their JOB.

And just like it would be disheartening for you to go into an office and not have your hard work noticed, it’s also disheartening for an Artist to see people benefit from the fruits of their labor and not receive credit.

Maybe we forget to view Art as a job because many inspirational and motivational-type writers portray making Art like it’s so sexy… it’s not about the money… it’s a passion… and it’s all about the pleasure and joy of creating… ooh la la… 

Well, pleasureable or not…

For many, it’s what pays the bills. It’s business, too.

And there’s no shame in that game. Caring about money & your livelihood does NOT corrupt the Art. It creates connection between the Artist and the people who want to support their work. 

So, let’s give credit where it’s due. 

We’re going to share our good finds with friends, anyway. So, why not support another person’s life work while we’re at it?

Here are a few things
I keep in mind when sharing Art:

On Pinterest, before I re-pin, I click on the image to see where it leads to. Because I’ve noticed Pinterest is turning into a place to drive traffic to lame tumblr blogs that don’t credit Artists like ever.

A re-blog of un-credited Artwork that was re-blogged by a re-blogger will not get a re-pin from me.

On a Google Image search I do the same – click on the image first. It may lead to an Artist’s store or personal website. If so, hopefully that site has…

SOCIAL SHARING BUTTONS.

Those ‘like, share, pin, and +1′ buttons are not just there to keep score. It helps you share work with the proper credit easily.

So when I discover good finds on Etsy, Society6, DeviantART, and other Handmade shops, I use the sharing buttons.

Do NOT download the image to  your computer, so you can share it without credit. Share the love with social sharing buttons. I can’t stress that enough.

On facebook, it’s tricky. Images get shared SO quickly. I, frequently, discover shared Artwork on facebook created by Artists I’ve personally connected with on Society6 without any credit given to them.

And we can’t go back to the beginning where the image was first shared improperly. What’s done is done. Let’s not stress about the past.

But, could we keep this in mind now?

The next time you discover great Art, share it with credit, so when people re-share it – and they will – each share is supporting a hard-working Artist?

That’s worth the effort, amirite?

And here are a few things to keep
in mind if you find YOUR Art UN-credited:

Speak up!

It’s yours. Be proud of your work.

Be nice, but be assertive too!

They, obviously, like your work. And I’m sure you want them to keep sharing your work in the future. So, be polite.

But, firmly, tell them how you expect them to correct the situation and follow-up to make sure they did. When they do, thank them :)

Would you add anything to my thoughts?

What else should we keep in mind when sharing an Artist’s work online?…

Labels have the potential to sabotage your creativity before you start. Because labels, like ‘different’, don’t exist without comparisons.

Remarkable and different exists because of mediocre and the same. 

Non-conformity exists because of conformity. 

Hipsters exists because of how they compare themselves with the mainstream.

The irony is, you already ARE different.

There’s no need to force it, or to check just to be sure. But, the internet has put our lives and our work out there, and magnified everything.

It’s as if we never knew how boring or awesome we were, until someone put everyone else’s life online for all to see. Now it’s easier and more convenient than ever to compare yourself to people.

And comparison isn’t only the thief of joy.
It’s the thief of potential creation.

Here’s how I’ve seen it play out for myself and others:

Good idea → excitement about good idea → sudden realization (after a Google search) that it’s been done before and it’s been done better → DEATH of good idea.

So, what do you do when your ideas are killed by these fleeting thoughts that they might be too mediocre to exist?

Be CURIOUS, not insecure.

How curiosity works:

I like this idea. But, I wonder if it could work better if this changed…

How insecurity works:

This works. But, I wonder if I would look better (more different, unique, artistic) if I made this change…

Instead of being quick to compare with superficial labels, it pays to go deeper. If you must compare, you can do so with curiosity, and then move on to exploration. Compare to learn, to see what works and what doesn’t.

What the internet has REALLY done is saved us a ridiculous amount of time because now, we can see millions of people’s ideas.

Today, innovation should be happening more frequently, and at a greater speed because of how quickly we can research and compare and question our findings.

What kills innovation is that many have become more concerned with being seen, standing out, being different, remarkable, or fitting into any other number of labels when none of that matters. 

We could be focusing on the real work instead.

The ‘Artist’ Label

The latest trend in labeling I’ve observed is that of calling oneself an Artist. That’s the new idea that’s spreading.

Focusing on this label of being an “Artist” is yet again, a new distraction from doing the work Artists actually do.

Artists don’t talk about their titles.
They talk about what they’re working on.

What troubles me most about the ‘Artist trend’ is it has the potential to breed an overly confident generation of lost creative souls.

Lost because they’re too ‘high’ on the idea of being an Artist and never take the time to do the work required to become one, leaving them unfulfilled from their roles (or label).

Jeffrey Davis touched on this, in a recent article on The Creativity Post:

“Hubris without apprenticeship or without a pursuit of excellence or mastery within a field often leads at best to junk art that doesn’t land the way a creator wants it to and at worst to someone deeply frustrated and isolated in her creative endeavors because she doesn’t understand what she doesn’t know about the inherent yet delightful challenges within an artistic field.” 

How I learned about the UN-importance of labels

It took me a long time to call myself a Pastry Chef, because I’ve always focused on the work. I never thought about the label until people asked me what I do for a living.

The majority of my time was spent doing my job and learning from my mentors. And my mentors didn’t care about labels either.

In fact, when I did decide to go to Culinary School (AFTER years of apprenticeship and working), one of my mentors laughed at me.

He told me I would never learn anything about my craft in school. I wouldn’t learn anything about what it really takes by wearing a white coat. By having a piece a paper and label validate what I do. 

I don’t regret going to school. But, I learned he was right.

Titles are for business cards and email signatures, or your social media profiles and your website’s ‘about’ page, and they help you reply to the all-too-common question…

“What, exactly, do you do for work?”

So, yes, labels serve a purpose, as most things do.

But, your creativity is found in THE WORK.

In lifelong learning, and ‘delightful challenges’. 

Rarely, in the labels.

What are your thoughts?

Do you think some labels have become too trendy? Taking the focus away from the work that matters? 

Do you ever get the feeling much of what you read is reaffirming what you know? And when you stumble upon something different, it still isn’t noteworthy enough to leave an impact?

When ideas spread, it isn’t long before we keep hearing and reading about them. Sometimes, in new or creative ways. But, still the same idea.

And that’s OK. Because it’s limitless how one idea can evolve.

But, it’s important to also read something that challenges us.

We hear those clichés about thinking outside of the box and getting out of our comfort zones, but are we doing that with what we read?

Are we open to reading what makes us uncomfortable?

Or are we afraid to learn something that challenges what we know?

I’m going to share 3 books that challenged what I know.

That had different ideas than what I was used to. And it changed me for the better. Because it inspired me to not hold back a genuine expression, even if it’s not a popular one.

And as a creative, that’s what I want to do.

Then, in the comments, share something you’ve read that made you think differently…

““The question is why one should be so inwardly preoccupied at all. Why not reach out to others in love and solidarity or peer into the natural world for some glimmer of understanding? Why retreat into anxious introspection when, as Emerson might have said, there is a vast world outside to explore? Why spend so much time working on oneself when there is so much real work to be done?” 

This book is about the down side to positive thinking.

Barbara begins by telling us about her experience of being diagnosed with Breast Cancer. How she found herself facing the harsh truth of her mortality while surrounded by cutesy pink merchandise and tired clichés about looking on the bright side.

As someone who recently lost her father to cancer, I can tell you, there is no sugar-coating dying, and to do so in the face of said person who is dying is not only condescending, but delusional and lacks compassion.

Barbara shed light on the idea that no matter how many positive affirmations we repeat to ourselves and to others, it’s not, necessarily, making us any happier or successful and she backs it up with research.

How this book changed me:  Besides making me feel more compassion for my own father while he was ill, it made me realize there is such a thing as being too positive.

I’ll turn up the dial on my positivity when I DO positive things with my life, and when I  DO  positive things that impact those around me in a REAL substantial way.

“Why do people think Artists are so special?
It’s just another job.”

OK, this book was not challenging to read. It’s a memoir of sorts. 241 pages of Warhol’s random musings and personal philosophies about Art, business, life, love, and underwear power.

On my Goodreads profile, I called this book:  ”The most brilliant piece of nonsense I’ve ever read.” When I read it, I didn’t feel like there was a book in my hand, but rather a friend sitting beside me.

It’s casual and candid.
He doesn’t talk about Art in a grandiose or motivational way.

There is no talk of muses. There is no inspirational manifesto about self-expression that leaves you temporarily high until the reality of hard work sets in.

Nope. Andy was a working Artist who had no problem allowing money to motivate him to make Art. That’s a different kind of message compared to what I was used to reading in regards to creating Art.

How this book changed me:  It made me want to be more intentional about Art as a business – and stop isolating myself in self-expression.

And it made me approach my work with more humility – which is what’s needed when you have to get dirty and do real work.

Self-help is an enterprise wherein people holding the thinnest of credentials diagnose in basically normal people symptoms of inflated or invented maladies, so that they may then implement remedies that have never been shown to work. An entire generation of baby boomers searching desperately for answers to the riddle of midlife has entrusted itself to a select set of dubious healers who are profiting handsomely, if not always sincerely, from that desperation.

Wow, strong words… 

Salerno delivers a straight-forward critique on the self-help and actualization movement (SHAM). Some might think he’s being harsh, but I think part of his intention is not only to shed new light on how this industry works…

I view it as a way to  show compassion towards those who have lost precious time and money seeking answers in all the wrong places.

Why do such people need compassion?

Because as Steve points out, if “SHAM” doesn’t work for you, then it’s your fault – it’s always your fault. When their methods don’t work, you just need more of it (conveniently), or you’re doing it wrong. You’re being a “victim”.

I applaud Steve Salerno for his willingness to make people uncomfortable.

You don’t have to agree with everything he says, but I believe there’s value in  thinking outside of your shamtastic box once in a while.

How this book changed me:  It made me feel OK about questioning things that don’t seem quite right and trust my gut. There is value in a critical examination of a genre or industry or a movie, for that matter. There’s a lot we can learn when we question things.

Wrecked by Jeff Goins and Mortality by Christopher Hitchens are two more I could have rambled on about, but we’re clocking in at close to 1000 words here, so I’ll open up the conversation to you…

Tell me, do you typically read what reaffirms what you know or do you look to challenge yourself more? 

Last week, as I was typing up my interview with Aaron Wood, one thing he said really stood out to me:

“People aren’t working together.
They’re working to get their art seen first or seen the most.”

That statement stayed with me. Because I believe it’s true. It happens. We create and we want what we create to be SEEN and adored. That is all.

I know creating can be very personal.

It seems like a lonely job, by nature. But, it doesn’t have to be.

We could do better than that. Better for ourselves and for our peers. 

So, let’s learn how to collaborate a little more, OK?

I’m going to suggest some ways HOW. And then I HOPE you add your own suggestions in the comments, because I don’t have all the answers.

I know Stephen King said, “write with the door closed” and it’s true:  I need silence when I write. But, with creating, in general, a little company goes a long way, so I’m going to suggest you try something different.

The Andy Warhol Way

Part of what made Andy Warhol such a brilliant Artist was that he didn’t work alone. I’ve read about his “coloring parties” where people would come over and help him color his drawings.

His peers didn’t just help him produce Art.

He listened to them.

They exchanged ideas.

They fed off of each other’s creativity.

This collaboration process is exactly what made up “the factory” or Andy Warhol Enterprises – a multi-million dollar business. 

Collaborating in Our Virtual Worlds

Realistically, we can’t always get together in person and create.

If Warhol was that resourceful with his peers back then, imagine how he would have capitalized on social media if he was an Artist of THIS generation?

“I’m the type who’d be happy not going anywhere as long as I was sure I knew exactly what was happening at the places I wasn’t going to. I’m the type who’d like to sit home and watch every party that I’m invited to on a monitor in my bedroom.”
― Andy Warhol

Umm, yeah… I have this weird feeling Warhol would’ve embraced social media just fine ;)

Maybe he would’ve approached it a lot like my friend, Aaron…

Build a huge following right from Google+ by creating lots of art, generously share his ideas and progress with his friends, ask for feedback, create lots more art, and build relationships every chance he got.

So, if you can’t meet in person (and I know in person is better) there’s still plenty of opportunity to collaborate in our virtual hangouts.

Does the idea of factory-like collaboration intimidate you?

No worries. Keep it simple and intimate.

Get yourself a peer editor.

And don’t skip this if you’re not a writer.

All creative work requires editing. Writing, painting, photography, sewing, crafts, singing, knitting, and so-on. We begin creating and then we adjust, refine, and repeat until it’s right (or good enough).

Who do you ask to help you with this editing process?

Here’s what Jeff Goins suggests and I completely agree:

This should be someone bold — a person who will call you out and hold you accountable. 

You need a person you can trust. So that when this person criticizes your work, you know it’s not to tear you down, but to build you up.

(Read more here.)

Sometimes, I’m scared to allow someone to see my unfinished work.

When I was a kid and I was drawing and someone would walk by, I would hover over my work. And if someone dared ask to see my progress, I would quickly say, “noooo… it’s not DONE!” 

I still have moments where I act like that. I’m not that dramatic about it anymore, but I still have “hovering moments”.

But, when I look back and compare my hovering moments with my collaborative moments – times where I would allow someone to be a part of my creative process – there’s no question…

More often than not, the collaborative moments produced better results.

I read an article about how collaboration is simply SHARING.

Share your resources, connections, your stories of success and failure.

Build relationships with other Artists based on this one simple idea:  

SHARE.

“If you seek to be creative, start by being generous.
Like blue, indigo and violet, they live together.”
~Seth Godin

When I first read the above quote in the book, Graceful, I didn’t quite get it. What does generosity have to do with creativity?… Sooo much!

Imagine if every creative generously shared the things I mentioned above? How do you think that would impact your work? Would you be more creative?… Umm, yeah!

Many creatives hold on way too tight to their ideas and what they’re working on. As if, creativity is a well that can dry up. As if, we need to protect it out of fear of losing it. 

It is SO much the opposite.

The more you create and exchange ideas and insight, the better your ideas will evolve.

But, I’d rather hear from you! How else could creatives collaborate?

By the way, by commenting and sharing your own suggestions, you’re collaborating with me on this very article. You’re helping me offer the most insight and depth to my readers.

So… THANK YOU, in advance ;)