When art makes you square (A debate/discussion)

TheThoughtfulBoxful 2017-09-16 01:47:29 UTC #1

As creatives, sometimes we get so caught up in creating content, developing characters, and crafting other worlds, that art becomes the only thing on out minds. It's great for us... but it can get annoying for our friends/family/coworkers who might not be as "enthusiastic" as we are about the creative field. How does one become "well rounded" in a sense that art isn't the only thing you ever talk about/do/think about?

What are some of your hobbies/other interests outside of art/comiking/writing?

For me, I read the news (like most people) and tend to keep my projects to myself until I'm absolutely ready to share. That way, I don't torment people by talking about art/writing/creative block all the time. It's hard, and sometimes when I need to vent, I'll do it, but I still try.

(Get it? Well-rounded? Square? Ah, nevermind...)

Rayenae 2017-09-16 02:00:35 UTC #2

I have this problem. I've got a very obsessive personality, so when I get into something it's all I think about night and day. I do have some hobbies outside of art, though, so I think I just need to work on compartmentalizing and forcing myself to think about other stuff when I'm not working on my art.

I game (tabletop) with a group of friends regularly. I think I would benefit from putting more thought into that outside of actually playing it. Stuff like planning ahead for my character in RPGs, or planning strategies for board games.

I'm really into fashion as well, mostly alt and jfash, so I suppose I could spend more time on that... but honestly it just makes me want to spend money I don't have -_-

Heliox14 2017-09-16 02:14:23 UTC #3

For me, I try to stay updated on the news (like how the Philippines might end up as a military state), and downloading music either by ripping them off YT or good ol' Pirate Bay (or other similar sites).
I'm also (kinda) interested in fashion, especially when it comes to polos, t-shirts, and/or sneakers. Even though I don't have money .

keii4ii 2017-09-16 02:30:10 UTC #4

I embrace my non-roundedness and do not seek out the company of those who dislike that aspect of me.

jono_thompson 2017-09-16 02:38:08 UTC #5

Art is a lifestyle. As a creative it is important to absorb yourself in creative expression and be able to talk with friends and family about it. It also keeps you inspired. When you look at the world through the lense of art you see the world in a different perspective - which I believe is a great thing as it gets us out of the daily working routine mentalities that people can get so easily caught up in.

I think also art is such a broad spectrum of creativity, as when I feel like I've done alot of cartooning for a while I like to spend my time 'relaxing' by throwing paint on a canvas and creatively expressing myself that way.

I also have other hobbies and outlets that aren't so artistic such as longboarding down the streets, having solo dance parties when no-one is home, reading a good book with a cup of tea or philosophizing with friends. But in the end a lot of what I do is mainly fueled by my creative inspirations and ambitions which is a good thing - keeps me energized!

TheThoughtfulBoxful 2017-09-16 02:39:07 UTC #6

This is sort of why I rejoined the forums. I missed the artsy ppl, lol.^

But in all seriousness, I'm not saying that it's bad to strongly invested in art, or that the people who might not be as interested as you are in it don't care that you're a creative person. All I meant was: people have a variety of interests, and while grouping with like-minded people is great and easy to assimilate into, it's important to be able to relate to other people about a variety of DIFFERENT things. Not saying it's bad to love art at all, or to only hang out with people like you. But, interesting statement, nonetheless.

keii4ii 2017-09-16 02:48:04 UTC #7

I don't know, I don't think it's important for me to relate to somebody's love for golf. If my father played golf, for instance (which he doesn't, but...), I wouldn't have to be into golf to love him or to talk to him?

That said, creative endeavors should not happen in a vacuum, and you need to absorb and learn from outside sources. That's different from branching out to become more "well rounded" because the goal is to become a better creator.

J.Lovelace 2017-09-16 03:21:06 UTC #8

I never talk about my art "offline" (except sometimes to my brother, but it's mostly ranting about pet peeves), but I also don't have a shared topic with the people around me, we just don't have anything in common. I don't have any need to become well-rounded either. So, to them I seem like a very boring person, that never says anything more than I have to. But the joke's on them, because if they'd try to be a little more openminded, I would certainly open up and would have so much to say and show them.
I just don't like talking about the things I enjoy if I clearly know/see the other person is not interested in that kind of stuff.

Hmm... My other hobbies include computers and learning about science... I guess.

IdiotWithPencil 2017-09-16 04:22:34 UTC #9

I really don't have this problem since I usually prefer to talk about other topics with friends, mostly games or movies, also funny stuff from reddit :D.

I guess I just don't let art become my be all end all (also I just go to a art course where I talk about art and other stuff with my teach and other students ;D)

IdiotWithPencil 2017-09-16 04:33:15 UTC #10

relate doesn't mean you have to love golf but that you can understand some one who loves it and that you can be empathetic to them even when you don't like/understand it the same way they do, I don't like soccer but that doesn't mean I can't relate to a friend being sad cause his favourite team lost or being ecstatic cause they beat the world cup .

also everybody should be verse in a bunch of different topics, just cause it helps eliminate ignorance

keii4ii 2017-09-16 05:57:44 UTC #11

I don't disagree with you about the idea of relating. The thing is, OP specifically brought up the idea of learning more about an interest in order to relate to other people who have that interest. That seems to be against what you're saying, and it's what I'm disagreeing with.

There's also the aspect of respecting each other's field. My dad has a passion for history; I don't. We rarely ever talk to each other about history or about art/comics. If there's something about history he wants to talk about, he has other people for that, like my brother. I don't see that as a bad thing. He respects my interests from distance, and I his.

If I'm upset because of something related to comics... (which happens often...) now, I'm not the chatty type and I usually don't feel the need to share it with every person who's close to me. But if I wanted to share it with him specifically, I could still find a way to explain it without putting him through Webcomics 101, you know?

Again, it doesn't seem to be your opinion that I'm disagreeing with.

Pandastrophic 2017-09-16 07:00:28 UTC #12

I read books and play video games sometimes, whenever I'm not drawing. Drawing takes up most of my day but when I'm with other people I hardly talk about my art or my comic.
I have a few friends who don't have anything in common with my hobbies and I don't in theirs but we just talk about life stuff? hobbies/interests aren't the only thing you bond about with people.

TheThoughtfulBoxful 2017-09-16 12:32:12 UTC #13

So I guess the way I presented my argument was misworded; I meant more of what @IdiotWithPencil had said about being empathetic/willing to listen to someone else about what they're interested in, as you would want someone to do the same for you if need be.

Would you talk about cats a dog park? Sure, you love cats, but it's a dog park. Keep your discussion focused on dogs. Though with this example, you have to ask why would someone intentionally put themselves in a situation in which they're the odd one out? EDIT: Somehow, this relates to our discussion, I swear...

So I guess I'll wrap this up with the orignal question: Does art make you square?

IMO, it depends. I love illustrating and on my freest days, I'll spend hours just designing characters, or brainstorming, or writing a paragraph here and there, but I think it's healthy for creatives to have a balance of interests. You'll often find more inspiration to fuel your creative endeavors, and you'll have productive alternatives for when creative blocks hit.

shaylafarley5 2017-09-16 14:18:30 UTC #14

I talk about tv series,music, games and movies. Not everyone can help with my plot since I wont let them read that far but they do help with design ideas

indagold 2017-09-16 14:36:15 UTC #15

... I never talk about art. Maybe once i'll mention to a friend I finished a comic chapter but it never gets into the conversation. It'd be weird to be honest, like a plumber going non stop "woweee I sure do LOVVEEE plumbing. Don't you guys LOVEE your toilets because they WORK??? WOowowowow!"

tayo_rafferty 2017-09-16 14:54:39 UTC #16

I've been getting really into chess recently. I use Chess.com to play against people around the world. I'm jogging too because I don't want to have heart problems when I'm older and I'm starting to get a basic understanding of marketing and advertising when it comes to consumer interaction and the consumption of media.

keii4ii 2017-09-16 15:08:51 UTC #17

I think that's the assumption here causing the misunderstandings. Do unto others, sure. But I DON'T want to talk to my non-creator family and friends about my struggles (or successes) as a creator. I DON'T want to talk about my dog to people who don't like dogs. If I really, really want to, it'll be for reasons other than "it's on my mind." e.g. If I wanted to go to an indie comic convention out of state, I'd be away for the weekend, and I would let my folks know about that. If and only if they ask more about it, I would tell them more.

Well, you can just not talk while you're there. Or better, you can just not go to a dog park. Both of those things (not talking + not going to a place where it would be odd to talk about the things I like talking about) are strategies I'm comfortable using.

lunaartemisasama 2017-09-16 15:29:15 UTC #18

It's cubism (sorry I had to write it lol).

I just talk about life in general lol, like... yeah I am still alive! Cheers!, the news and travelling,

Rhombik 2017-09-16 16:15:54 UTC #19

I have a few hobbies and my job is not very art related so I tend to fall back onto these with my non-art friends. My roommate bears most of the brunt as he's there when I have my midnight rages over not being able to draw a hand or whatever.

I hike, I travel, I'm learning a language and I read a far bit. Luckily these are quite universal interests.

Puns are good. They help you stay in shape. ha ha ha...

joannekwan 2017-09-17 06:19:28 UTC #20

Fuuuuuuuuuck. I never talk about my art irl. LOL
At most I'll talk with my husband about a couple of my characters, like, if he'd rather date Beau or Andreas (he's team Andreas all the way). Or I'll ask him about plot points and if they makes sense or whatever, but never anything really in depth.

In general I don't talk much about my work because I don't want to feel like it's gotta be about "me me me." So I try to take interest in other people's lives. Even if I don't share a passion for that hobby, like knitting for one friend, I'll comment on how nice his newest piece is or if he has another piece planned if it's brought up.

Anyway, with irl friends, we talk about each others' lives, relationships, work, TV, movies, sometimes video games, and gossip. Gossip is so good. hahaha