Recently, I've been doing a little painting at work (this is a pic of 3 of my 4 mini paintings). Our group of designers has been painting these small canvases for table centerpieces for a Tuscan-themed awards event. For some reason, it got me thinking about how my hobbies effect my life. Especially since I've got lots of other artistic endeavors in my life right now that take up a good bit of time. I'm hardwired for creativity. That's my thing, it's what I do, it's what I crave to do with my life and my time. However, my favorite hobbies are not ones that are super active. I wish I loved exercise. I wish I loved hiking (which I do like hiking, but my body does not, and I live in a sweltering hot climate as well). I like to draw and paint and design things on my computer. Guess what that gets me? Lots of time SITTING. Lots and lots. I do freelance design from home, I run my own group of art folks in another online dimension where we exchange hand-drawn art 4 times a year and I am part of another group that does a graphic design 'zine that is awesome. I get high off of creativity. I wish I got high off of exercise.
Is it my fault that the things I enjoy happen to be sedentary? I know that the key to life is "everything in moderation" but, I barely have time to squeeze in the things I love, let alone the things I don't (aka: exercise). I guess there are hazards to every hobby - including people who do active hobbies. One day the guy who mountain climbs for fun, could break a limb that causes him to have a limp forever... who knows. But, my hobbies have an immediate effect.
This is just an observation from my corner of the world and I'm about to generalize and sterotype a little bit. Since I have made you aware of the fact that I know I'm doing it, hopefully ya'll won't get too pissed off :) Just know that I love all people - any shape, size, background, and personality type... I get a long with folks and I do embrace the differences. What a boring world we would have without them! Anyway, back to the generalizing and sterotyping...
How many creative jocks do you know? How many people have you ever met who are way into fitness AND draw, paint, etc.? I've noticed that it's not a combination I've ever ran into. There are a lot of health guru's in the creative world. They are the ones who aren't after six-pack abs, but are about the organic side of health. I also get the feeling that they aren't always about the exercise either. A lot of times they don't exercise a lot, they just do enough to maintain their bodies and a lot of times they are kind of sensual tree-hugger types. I've just never met a gym rat who has a creative bone in their body. It's almost like it's a personality combination that just doesn't happen...somehow brains can't be hard-wired to enjoy both of those activities.
I think that creatives tend to be more into food that other people. Something about that sensual side of our brains that admires visual forms and conceptualizing taps into the part of the brain that loves the rush that you get from something that tastes good. Food in and of itself is creative. It's a mastery of blended tastes and the art of making that work. Cooking is definitely a major form of creativity. It happens to be one area that I don't enjoy (how ironic...I don't like to cook it, just eat it).
I'm not really sure if my random observation makes any sense to anyone else but me! Sometimes I just get all introspective about myself and try to figure out what makes me tick. I am who I am. Artsy and full of head-hunger....I just want to be a healthier me. It may not have been a part of my initial design, but I'm in the process of performing an upgrade. I wish it were as easy as that. Insert a disk...install program...and viola! A new, healthier me. Me 2.0. ha :) But I would only be available for the Mac. Gotta love nerdy design humor!
7 comments:
Girrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrl........we have so much in common.
I know, right. I saw your blog and I was like "We must become friends". :)
Thanks for following!
Yep, that is so NOT me! I don't have a creative bone in my body! No creativity in any sense of the word. I struggle to draw a stick man! Everyone else in my family is creative though. Go figure! And my daughter is left handed, so that is suppose to mean she is more creative. hmmmm....... I do, however, like to exercise. I don't do it as much as I should, but I do enjoy it when I do do it. And I agree with you, I have never met anyone with both of those qualities.
Interesting idea... i liked the thought of 'how many creative jocks have you met' ahahaha so true.... there are two different types of people... im trying to balance both. I paint (if you look at older posts you will see i have a post dedicated ot my paintings) but i havent for a good year now... i painted when i was depressed and very emotional... now that im of a healthier frame of mind i dont tend to paint as much... its weird... like to think im still creative and use creative thinking just in different means :)
If you painted that little painting then thats awesome!
ash x
ps. thanks for the compliment on my size... i know it seems like im smaller in my photos but i was and still am incredibly over weight... the reason i may look smaller is that im tall but seriously im one chunky chick, if you met me in real life you would see. With the way i dress i hide it pretty well. Either way you will get there... hey its nice to think someone would want o be my size, although i do think they would be a little crazy to want that :P
I have a similar problem with my cello hobby. I find I can either exercise or practice. But doing both is a bit difficult. Especially if I exercise first as the adrenaline gets going and I find it hard to concentrate when I play.
P.S. Thanks for your comments - I hope you haven't been too hard on yourself :-)
@seeing in colour - yep, those were 3 little 5x7 inch paintings I did :) and Thanks! I still think you are gorgeous and would LOVE to be starting out where you are, girly!
I love this post! It is a really interesting thought, that physical people don't tend to have a creative focus and vice versa. I think you might be on to something...
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