SOLEIL AUGUST 2ND ISSUE

alling ourselves a creative
can be difficult. It is vague,
not specific. Are you a writer?
A painter? A poet? A photographer?
An editor? A dancer?
A designer? An illustrator?
Forms and applications ask for a
specific identity. It is a difficult
question to answer when a
person can be so much.
A person does not have to be tied
down to only one creative outlet.
Life isn’t an elective. A person
can be a writer, a painter, a
poet, and a photographer. There
is an energy that wants to present
itself. This energy presents
itself through creative outlets.
It is okay that it be several. We
are not two-dimensional, we are
complex and our work should be
complex as well.
An animator that paints? Does
that devalue the work in animation?
Is having multi-creative talents
undervalued? I am told to
be more specific as to what I can
bring to the table. But what if it is
okay that I am a photographer, a
screenwriter, an editor, a designer,
and writer. I am foremost a
storyteller. I use art to imbue my
energy into something concrete.
Carefully hone your skills and
determine how much time you
would like to give to each of your
new and old creative endeavors.
How to prioritize time in order to
give all the creative outlets
attention can be difficult. Keeping
a journal and simply listing anything
creative that you worked
on that day can be an easy way
to look back and point out what
you need to give more or less
attention to. Each day attempt
to work on something creatively
new. Take your curiosity and run
with it. Curious about sculpture
after years of drawing?
Do it. There are infinite blogs,
websites, and videos online that
can aid in learning. Try anything
you are remotely interested in.
Read, watch, and learn. Take
note of what it is you are most
passionate about. Continue to
work with what you are passionate
about. You may find the new
mediums you learn may present
themselves in your projects.
Connect with creatives. Follow
fellow writers, painters, poets,
photographers etc. online.
Viewing similar or completely
different work can be inspiring.
It is a smart use of social media
that allows you to connect with
creatives and artists from all
around the world.
Social media allows you a look
into different lives, and different
creative approaches. Use the
free tools available to your advantage.
Look into sites that can help display
your art and work. Seek a
home for your projects. Whether
it be a personal journal you can
look back on, an account on a
social site, a gallery, or prints.
Take pictures of all your endeavors
and label them with dates
and what your end goal is. Being
open to criticism is important
to improving your work and
growing as a creative. Surrounding
yourself with your work, and
sharing with your friends and
family can be conducive to cre
ating an art-driven environment
for yourself. Seeing your work
receive feedback and love from
family and friends may push you
to continue to create.
Learning new mediums and embracing
new creative paths and
projects will make you a better
artist, a better human being, and
will facilitate growth. I can’t say
this enough, surround yourself
with your work and be proud of
it!
No one can really tell you that
you aren’t good at whatever
makes you happy. Creativity is a
gift that not many harness. Hone
in on the ones that make you
happiest, and your life will be
Learning new mediums and embracing
new creative paths and
projects will make you a better
artist, a better human being, and
will facilitate growth.
I can’t say this enough, surround
yourself with your work and be
proud of it!
No one can really tell you that
you aren’t good at whatever
makes you happy. Creativity is
a gift that not many harness.
Hone in on the ones that make
you happiest, and your life will
be one of wealth and joy. one of
wealth and joy.