The polyamorous creative

your side art

You’re a writer, working on a book. And, you also love to knit in the evenings. You spend time looking for new patterns and you hang out with knitters. But your main focus is writing. 

If we are bringing our work to the world, we’re encouraged to focus and to niche. We’re told we have to focus just on one thing. I found this challenging when, as a young artist, I was interested in so many things. I took classes in calligraphy, watercolor, oil painting, singing, acting, and more. I loved them all. I realized that if I wanted to excel, I would have to focus on one medium. It takes a lot of energy and time to develop skill and mastery and I wasn’t going to do it if I were dancing with a bunch of art forms at once. 

So I drilled down on writing. I took classes. I set goals. I had dreams and plans and ambition for my writing. 

But I couldn’t keep the other parts of me in the musty basement. Soon, the visual artist came out and wanted to keep a drawing journal. Then the painter returned and wanted to bring color into the drawings. 

Most of us are gifted with many enthusiasms. To stifle these is to dim our vitality. I found that the focus of my writing life was well-served by having an art form that was just for play. I had no agenda or goals. I just liked to draw and paint for fun. I also cook and make at least one new recipe a week. This is a highly creative art for me, but I don’t need to be a professional chef to have this as a legitimate art form in my life.

How to balance all your passions? I’m not going to tell you about time blocking or other productivity tools. There’s plenty of that elsewhere, and I am sure you’ve used things like time blocking, the Pomodoro method, and shutting yourself in a dark closet as Joyce Carol Oates does. 

You may have your main art where you want to excel and have goals. And then there’s the thing that’s just for fun. Here is your permission slip to have a side art. Knowing the roles each medium plays in your life will hopefully make it easier to enjoy them all, guilt-free. 

INVITATION 

Step One 

Make a list of all the art forms that currently interest you. 

Step Two 

Number them in order of priority. 

Know your main priority. Be clear about the role your side art plays. Allocate your energy and time according to those priorities. 

What’s important about focusing on your #1 medium? How do you benefit from your side art? 

Affirmation: I prioritize easily and enjoy my many talents. 

In the comments: What is your main art and what is your main side art? Share just two, please.