Creative Types

Having recently turned forty three, I have come to the realization that I can do things. I don’t just mean I can make it rain, a special skill of mine that only works if I have washing hanging on the line, or that I can pick out the most inappropriate piece of conversation from a class of chattering students, and draw everyone’s attention to it: “You did WHAT with a Garibaldi biscuit?”

Somewhere between the ages of seven and forty I learned that I couldn't do things. I was not clever enough, fast enough, strong enough; my all time favorite is that I wasn't able to learn to ride a motor bike, because …I would be too weak to lift if off me. Notice the implication of immediate failure; I would be so shit at motorbike riding that no sooner had I broom broomed away than the thing would be on top of me, wheels spinning and I in my frailness yelping Hey-Alp like Penelope Pitstop.

From time to time I tell my students about competitions; mostly 3D modeling and they won’t enter, because they say there are not good enough yet. Just over a year ago a colleague told me I had had won the competition at December House and I replied. “I think you got that wrong.”She hadn't.

It turned out I could write, one of the few things I ever really believed I could do. But that was it: that was my one good thing. I never understood how a pop singer could also act, design a fashion range and make a perfume. How a stand- up comedian could write a children’s book, make a movie, and hold an art exhibition. I didn't believe that they could be good at all those things. Sometimes they’re not good at all those things. Further more the pop singer; comedian, celebrity chef or whatever usually has some help. They don’t go in the lab and mix the perfumes themselves, or draw the patterns and cut the fabric. I saw Danni Minogue on TV where her contribution to a fashion range appeared to be creating a mood board of other clothes she liked and talking about colours. I could do that! Do you see? You could do that too.

On the other hand there is absolutely no reason why a pop singer, comedian or chef can’t pen a good children’s book or act or paint. They are by their very nature creative types, specializing in entertainment; they will be “acting” when they are on stage. It should be of no surprise that Einstein played violin, or that he had a great imagination, he was a creative type you see.

But here’s the thing, we are all creative types, good at baking, at gardening, at building kitchen cupboards, at sewing, at making things from matchsticks. Chances are you are good at several things. So when someone asks can you host an embroidery evening or run an up-cycle workshop? If it appeals, then you should probably go for it. If it goes wrong like my no sew rag rug, then you learn from it, even if all you have learned is that you are absolutely brilliant at turning strips of fabric into an impenetrable tangle of knots.

Illustrated by http://andyartisand.carbonmade.com/

*disclaimer: Johnny didn't do anything with a Garibaldi biscuit, I deliberately miss-hear for sake of a good laugh.