Creative Communities – The Happy Artist’s Secret Weapon

[Dan Goodwin]

For many of us who create, we do it not in joyous public celebration of our creativity and artistic expressions, throwing caution to the wind and not caring who sees and experiences us in full creative flow.

Instead we toil in isolation, struggling in stark loneliness, wondering not only whether we’ll ever finish this latest piece, but also whether anyone else will ever see and appreciate it. Maybe wondering if anyone else in the world even CARES that we’re showing up to create at all.

However passionate you are about your art, we all need support, encouragement and nurturing from others who understand, those who “get” why we create, and don’t dismiss it as a ”nice little hobby” or an “arty farty phase” we’re going through.

Creativity and you is a relationship for life, a til-the-death pact sworn in blood, not a fleeting affair with the depth and lasting power of a drunken one night stand.

So how can you help yourself in finding the kind of community support your creativity will thrive under?

In the wired up times we live in there are more groups and communities than ever before, for every creative pursuit and art form imaginable.

Why would you want to join a creative community?

Aren’t they just a place where people compete and belittle each other’s work? A kind of surrogate school playground of elitist cliques and in-crowds, the haves and the have-nots, the geeks and the cool kids, just for you to relive the worst memories of your youth, like being last to be picked for the sports team or being told your writing is juvenile and littered with grammatical errors?

Unfortunately, yes there are stories of “communities” who offer this kind of priceless support. There the ones to completely avoid!

There are other communities who offer a far healthier alternative.

Most of us would first think of what we could “get” from a creative community. And there’s plenty. Encouragement from other creatives, discussions on all matter of creative issues and dilemmas, group projects in specific media, the opportunity to share your own writing, crafts, photography and more to an appreciative and objective audience, direct interaction with others like you who know the creative highs and despairing lows of the creative life, the chance to form new creative collaborations... The list goes on.

But what we don’t usually expect are the benefits we get from giving of our own support and encouragement, of helping others unravel their own creativity in its multitude of glorious shapes and expressions.

Knowing that just your words, your presence, inspires someone else to write for the first time in years, or to create some of the most honest art of their lives, is an irreplaceable feeling.

Communities works both ways, the give and the get. The beauty is, the more you give, the more you get back, and the more want to give again.

It’s a upward expanding spiral of creative flowing energy that once you’re aboard you can ride as long as you want.

The reasons for becoming part of a creative community are overwhelmingly positive.

If you’re completely happy and fulfilled in miserable uncreative isolation, then maybe joining a creative community is not right for you. For the rest of us, it can be the biggest single positive impact our creative lives will ever have.

To listen to the audio podcast for this article, click on the link below:
Creative Communities- The Happy Artist's Secret Weapon.mp3

What benefits have you gained from joining a creative community? What have you been able to do being part of a community that you would have struggled to do as easily on your own? Share your thoughts and comments below:

[Valerie]

Yes, I have only been on here a short time and already feel like part of the family. If I had to give it one word it would be "positive". And that can only promote creativity.
I can see me coming on here often to get my daily dose of positivity. And hopefully I can spread it around, both here and off line.

[Detta]

I so agree with everything said - everyone here is so supportive and inspiring. It is the only community I have kept up with, it doesn't matter if you have been here a long time or are very new, you immediately feel right at home and grow to know really quickly, that you are accepted just as you are. It really is a one of kind community as communities go!

[Dan Goodwin]

I think we're really blessed with the group of people we have here. Though there are many different kinds of artists, there is a common goal of wanting to support each other, learn from each other and create work together. Long may it continue to thrive...

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

Great discussion!

Communities like this really do help people who wouldn't otherwise have the confidence to take steps toward being more creative because of the reasons you cited, Dan. In a group like this where creativity is the main focus, the destructive comments are much less common than elsewhere.

I've belonged to online communities of creative people in the past ... and have experienced the clique mentality many times. It's refreshing to have the type of community where competition and ego are left at the door ... newcomers are welcomed and encouraged and creativity blooms. It's really a joy to be a part of!

Joining this community has helped me see my creative efforts as an essential part of my overall happiness in life, not something that can be ignored. It's helped me to realize the importance of regular time to create, to begin to set goals and not feel paralyzed about ever reaching them, to explore beyond my preconceived limitations, and to uncover and face some irrational fears about creating. As others have said, it's about finding the real me, and I feel accepted and supported in doing that here!

[Valerie]

Thanks, Dan and yes Jules. I wouldn't know anyone who does what I do, or many who even care, if it weren't for online communities like this. I also believe the internet will break down barriers, help end prejudice and increase tollerance and awareness. Also, it may be my imagination, but I think people are more open and willing to talk to strangers they meet in their everyday life because they are now so used to talking to strangers online and making new friends.

Interesting discussion, Dan. Anyone can find a community online to share what they are interested in and get the negative voices out of their head from the cliques and in-crowds as you say. Although there are still plenty of cometitive folk online. Even in my business, which is sad. The good news is you don't have to put up with them. Gotta love the delete key :)
Valerie

[Jules]

Hey Valerie!
One of Dan's articles is what brought me out to make my first post here, and to share my art. Dan's the man!
I used to think the inner net was contributing to a social break down as well. After finding CCS and having discussions with some who had the same thoughts and feelings as me- some who did the smae type of art...I changed that belief.

For a minor example- I love to do small art. In my town it does not 'qualify' and it was not accepted for exibits. I get on line and I find out I am not the only one who loves this small art- there are thousands (if not millions) ...They are just all so scattered around the world I could have never met them, or even known. So I have actually expanded my social network rather than help break it down.

I also feel strong world wide internet connections and friendships can eventually save mother earth as well as end some prejudices due to cultrual misunderstandings.
That is my large view. My small view is one of relief that there are others who think and feel as I do :-)

[Dan Goodwin]

Welcome Valerie! I'm glad my nudging helped you to take the step to join us...

The internet is incredibly powerful, because we can find the people that are into the same stuff we're into very easily, in a way we never can in the offline world. The ability to browse people's profiles, blogs, websites, artwork and more before we take the step and connect with them is something that's never been feasible with meeting people in person.

It's an exciting brave new world : )

I look forward to seeing more of the real Valerie...

Dan

[Valerie]

Ok Dan, you have convinced me. Thanks to your gentle nudging I have decided to come out of my shell and join, and this article is what got me off the fence. So, I thank you for that.
I too, agree with Jules and the part you quoted. I have been lurking for a while and have seen it happen here over and over again and it is so refreshing and heartwarming and exciting all at once.
I used to think that the internet was stifling relationships and pulling us farther apart. But then, through communities like this one, I began to see the benefits of being able to find like minded friends, all over the world, that can accept you for who you are. Who you can show your work to and they don't look at you like you have two heads. Very rare in the brick and mortar world. At least for me.

Even before I joined I have been helped tremendously by people who don't even know it. Just through reading some of the threads. When one person responds to help another they are not only helping that person, but maybe 10 or 100 people.
This year I started looking for Valerie. I think I might just find her here.
Thank you everyone that has unknowingly helped me along my journey, and thank you Dan for starting this community.
Valerie

[Dan Goodwin]

Jules, you describe perfectly the kind of destructive communities we need to avoid. It's unfortunate that some people join these having never been a part of any art community before and as a result think that all communities are as competitive, judgmental, and about putting others down to raise yourself.

I love your description:

"I also really love watching someone who at first feels like the least creative person in the world, then they try new things, stomp out inner critics, get encouragement and then explode all over the place with creative projects."

That's exactly why I do what I do...

[Jules]

I attempted to join in my local art community-I still participate in a limited way. This is because it is the 'wrong' community just as you described above. This local community feels like it is all about judgement and other's wanting to feel superior with their particular art. I get the feeling they do not want to show other's their craft out of fear the other become more proficient.
In that atmosphere my creative flow damns up. I actually begin to lose my desire to create and all the critics- inner and outer get the better of me.
I hang around enough to be able to exhibit and have met two or three others who are uncomfortable with that as well.

In the CCS community on the other hand, I have never felt that stagnant vibe. Instead I have run into people who have done nothing but support me in what I already do and encourage me to try new things. People who are happy and willing to share their craft or art with me and are completely devoid of that type of envy or fear which numbs creativity.
The bad community offered me destructive criticism. CCS offers constructive criticism. I need this type of caring input. Often someone else can spot something in my work that I am just to close to see.
I also really love watching someone who at first feels like the least creative person in the world, then they try new things, stomp out inner critics, get encouragement and then explode all over the place with creative projects.

Yes, there really is a difference in communities and I am ever so grateful that I follwed a trail of links to find this one.