What Should I Write? Write What You Like

- February 17, 2018

This week the class assignment was to read chapter three from Austin Kleon’s book, Steal Like an Artist. Chapter Three is titled Write the Book You Want to Read. Don’t worry. I haven’t changed careers again.

In chapter three, Kleon is essentially trying to prescribe a problem solving skill to unlocking creative thinking. He’s saying don’t worry about what other people like. According to Kleon, this type of thinking blocks ideas. Rather we should just make what we like and eventually this act will lead to other ideas.

Now we should note that he leads his argument with “we make art because we like art.” If you’re an artist, his words may give you inspiration. However, this blog is primarily for graphic designers. Do graphic designers really have that luxury? I don’t know. I’m not a paid graphic designer yet. I am going to bet it’s very far and few between.

Nevertheless, what I will take away from this chapter is the self-guided affirmative philosophy behind Kleon’s message. It’s not a new idea, but it is one that we should reinforce often and that is we should work towards manifesting the life that we want to live.

Now we come to part of this week’s blog where I have to discuss how I would manifest my own life. What would my life be like if I were to rewrite it? What might be the next few years of my story?

In the next few years, all I want is happiness. And to me, happiness is getting a good job with benefits and raising a family before I get too old to enjoy any of it. That’s all I want. Plain and simple. So, how do I manifest that life? I work hard and keep moving forward. Never look back. Except for this blog.

If I rewrote my life, I would probably choose not to volunteer at the men's shelter, start a 20 year career as a social worker. Before I started social work I was illustrating for The Octopus, painting murals, hustling my artwork in downtown Champaign and Urbana. I sketched everyday. I had a ton of art materials. I was a part of the C-U art scene. I was even invited to show my work at the Krannert Art Center. Problem was I couldn't see from in the inside that I was making progress.

When I look back, I had a very promising career as an artist, but I loved being a social worker. I was good at it. Social work takes a lot of your soul. By the end of the day, I didn't have much left in me. Nevertheless, I felt I was making a difference in the community. That meant a lot to me.

It's depressing to look back and think where I might be now. Who knows. Maybe I would be a full time artist. Maybe I would be famous. I don't know. I'll never know, but I don't regret it. I can't regret it. There's nothing I can do to change the past.

What can I do differently now? I can retrain my brain. Sketch everyday. Follow all of my graphic design instructor's assignments. Go to every art/graphic design event. Get involved in the art community again. Network, network and network. I was on the path once before. All I can do is try. In other words, I have to fake it until I make it at something else. Shh. Don't tell anyone.

Side Notes: Sharing my little gems.

A good example of someone who was able to write their own story early in her career is Jessica Hische. In the video she talks about her passion projects to exercise her artistic muscles and how they become happy accidents that led to developing her career. I am just captivated by her career and her body of work. She's a good example how someone has been able to combine family life with her career choices. I'm becoming a fan.

And last but not least. If Art Chantry and I collaborated, and I was leading the crew here is what we would make together. I've also posted the inspiration.