~Rosethorn-Halo

Hannah M Viera

Profile

Gallery

Prints

Faves

Journal

Outside Hobbies: Good or Bad?

Wed Oct 7, 2009, 10:27 PM

Mood: Regretful
Listening to: Relient K's newest album
Reading: books about Eugenics
Watching: Castle
Playing: Risk
Eating: Ice Cream
Drinking: water

Do you ever get the feeling that you're too unfocused?

When I was little, I used to think having tons of interests was a good thing. I read books on every subject I could. I thought when I grew up those sort of talents would naturally be narrowed down or decrease in some way, but instead they grow as my curiosity grows. I don't have time for acting but I feel really torn that I can't audition for certain local musicals and that I've forgotten all those monologues or that my voice is not quite as strong or that my fighting skills are going to pot or that I never seem to find time to paint or study Spanish/Latin/Japanese anymore. At the same time, I'm trying to learn Bass, sewing, and find a life-drawing class. I never write novels, lyrics, or poetry anymore but I feel depressed when the gap between my work and other authors is so large. The problem is that I make time--out of time that should be devoted to one specific project at the moment--but not enough to do more than maintain the status quo--so everything stays in a stand-off. People are always telling me that if you want to be a good artist, you should cultivate alot of outside skills and be as diverse as possible since all those things strengthen your art. But it seems to me that all these distractions simply weaken it.

What do you think?

Do alot of outside hobbies help or hinder your work?

--Hannah

4 Comments

Devious Comments

~~love 0 0~~

~~joy 0 0~~

~~wow 0 0~~

~~mad 0 0~~

~~sad 0 0~~

~~fear 0 0~~

~~neutral 0 0~~

*LiquidPorkchop Oct 12, 2009, 11:35:59 AM

Yeah, they def weaken it. I have so many hobbies, and so much on my mind with it all, and then you throw in life, and it leaves you hella unfocused. With me, so much that I rarely draw anymore, which is a sad, sad thing. You have to pick and choose what gets your time, and make the most of which activity you choose as well. Good luck!

--
Heh..

~shylittleunicorn Oct 20, 2009, 9:37:32 PM

For me, I have so many things I want to do but I have homework looming over me that I really cant do much - so I have to force myself NOT to be creative and want to do whatever I want and be responsible. Artists cant help wanting to be artistic but its the forcing that hurts the creativity.

I think that being a good drawer requires a lot of drawing of whatever you want, and maybe some skills in hand-eye coordination, (which can be so sosososososooooo many things) to help you build your hands for drawing. So I also like to sew and make soap and other crafty stuff, and that helps make planning and control part of the process instead of a frustration.

I think forcing yourself to do something you dont want to do or to get depressed doesnt help being creative, no matter how much you think it would help. Like taking tylenol and asprin and ibprofin and vicodin for just one itty bitty head ache only makes you sick, not fabulous. So basically, my motto is that I, at some point, have to do what Im responsible for, but I also have to do what I want to do to be happy and that makes me even more creative.

Yesss... Im not sure exactly if I helped or not.

But I really like your gallery! You're a really good artist NOW but you also have POTENTIAL and you will grow not matter what you decide you want to do.

--
Hey everyone, in case you cant read my icon, it says:

MOVED to ~PumpkinPieSoup

thanks! ^.^

~Rosethorn-Halo Oct 20, 2009, 10:51:04 PM

Your response is so sweet! And not just because of the nice sentiments! Your literary voice or manner of speaking is so soothing to read. I like your style, and agree with your sentiments. Being forced to practice too little creativity can be just as bad as too much. I'm starting to balance out...I find that it's important to make time for God, music, cleaning and exercise, and everything else falls into place. Drawing is pretty much involuntary. And I do design at work all the time. I found out that for myself and alot of other artists, playing an instrument, singing or even playing rock band helps artist block...something about boosting spirits helps creativity. I think it sounds cool that you make crafts. I used to make soap and candles with my friend, but I had no talent for it. I like jewelry-making a little better. ^_^ Anyways, it was awesome to meet you. I hope I run into you again on devart.

--
John F. Kennedy:
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.

~shylittleunicorn Oct 20, 2009, 11:25:18 PM

Aawe, don't mention it, I aint that swell at writin'!

(*rereads and finds many spelling mistakes*)

Yes, exercise is important! I don't like the way I feel if I don't at least go for a walk during the day.

I like that you said drawing is involuntary. I know what you mean, it's like a primal urge to put your ideas into something solid, something you can see and feel.

It's good that you are finding a balance!