Just listened to your audio while I draw some moths. As a professional illustrator I’ve realised I had abandoned my own sense of play in my work, Just drawing for my portfolio. It’s nice take a more child like perspective again with my personal work.
Hi Raj. I’m a new subscriber and this was the first post I listened to. So much here I can relate to. I’ve been working in the creative industry for 28 years, the last 10 as a CD at a marketing agency. I’ve always championed the pursuit of personal projects alongside the day job. My experience is that they tend to feed into each other. It’s great to hear people like yourself creating a voice for this. I’ve been tempted many times myself, but the thing is, while still being employed it honestly feels like I’m restricted in how open and honest I can talk about certain things. Most others doing similar things to yourself are freelance / business owners and have the freedom to own their voice without the fear of contradicting their employers stance on things. And also it’s great to hear a UK voice!
Hi Martin! Thanks so much for being here and for taking the time to listen! It is reassuring to hear you relate to my perspective on the work vs personal projects thing. I noticed that when I would talk about my own stuff at work, sometimes I would get push back and get comments like 'well you have to pick one, are you a designer or an artist' and it almost seemed as though I was not taking my design 'seriously' enough. It is so ODD! So I get that awkwardness about walking the line of personal exploration while not contradicting the employers approach. I personally am so excited when I discover my colleagues are creating something outside of their day jobs - I always want to know more! Surely we all want to work with energised excited creative people?! Sometimes the day job just doesn't deliver that, and we are almost scared to say that out loud!...but there are days when you're in the thick of brand guidelines or something and you just need to balance it out with something at the opposite end of the spectrum. I hope to share some nice conversations with some of the fab people I have worked with soon!
I work as a community gardener. Not obviously a creative profession but certainly there are creative elements, decisions to make about texture, colour, shape, repetition etc that is akin to creating art. All of it of course in collaboration with mother nature who might have other ideas! I'm usually too knackered to do any art in the evenings after work but what really helps is that I am in a fortunate position (and luckily found a job that allowed me!) to work 4 days a week, which gives me a longer weekend to get creative at home. And also being outdoors so much during the week means I don't feel so bad spending the weekend holed up drawing indoors! I'm just doing it for fun at the moment and I think that helps too, no pressure to make anything more of it.
This could possibly be the IDEAL way around for work and personal project balance! I LOVE the idea of being outdoors for work all week, and making time for 'indoors/online' stuff at the weekend. Sounds HEAVENLY. Also the no pressure making is possibly the purest, nicest way to create. Thanks for sharing!
This was lovely to listen to while bottling kombucha! I can totally relate to embracing creativity away from a screen. 😊 Looking forward to the next podcast!
Thanks so much for your kind words and support Beth! Oooh I have always been curious about making Kombucha - so delicious! **Looks up how to make Kombucha at home**
Just listened to your audio while I draw some moths. As a professional illustrator I’ve realised I had abandoned my own sense of play in my work, Just drawing for my portfolio. It’s nice take a more child like perspective again with my personal work.
Yes I think this is something that happens to all of us. Sometimes its just because there isn't enough time in the day! Thanks for listening. :-)
Hi Raj. I’m a new subscriber and this was the first post I listened to. So much here I can relate to. I’ve been working in the creative industry for 28 years, the last 10 as a CD at a marketing agency. I’ve always championed the pursuit of personal projects alongside the day job. My experience is that they tend to feed into each other. It’s great to hear people like yourself creating a voice for this. I’ve been tempted many times myself, but the thing is, while still being employed it honestly feels like I’m restricted in how open and honest I can talk about certain things. Most others doing similar things to yourself are freelance / business owners and have the freedom to own their voice without the fear of contradicting their employers stance on things. And also it’s great to hear a UK voice!
Hi Martin! Thanks so much for being here and for taking the time to listen! It is reassuring to hear you relate to my perspective on the work vs personal projects thing. I noticed that when I would talk about my own stuff at work, sometimes I would get push back and get comments like 'well you have to pick one, are you a designer or an artist' and it almost seemed as though I was not taking my design 'seriously' enough. It is so ODD! So I get that awkwardness about walking the line of personal exploration while not contradicting the employers approach. I personally am so excited when I discover my colleagues are creating something outside of their day jobs - I always want to know more! Surely we all want to work with energised excited creative people?! Sometimes the day job just doesn't deliver that, and we are almost scared to say that out loud!...but there are days when you're in the thick of brand guidelines or something and you just need to balance it out with something at the opposite end of the spectrum. I hope to share some nice conversations with some of the fab people I have worked with soon!
I work as a community gardener. Not obviously a creative profession but certainly there are creative elements, decisions to make about texture, colour, shape, repetition etc that is akin to creating art. All of it of course in collaboration with mother nature who might have other ideas! I'm usually too knackered to do any art in the evenings after work but what really helps is that I am in a fortunate position (and luckily found a job that allowed me!) to work 4 days a week, which gives me a longer weekend to get creative at home. And also being outdoors so much during the week means I don't feel so bad spending the weekend holed up drawing indoors! I'm just doing it for fun at the moment and I think that helps too, no pressure to make anything more of it.
This could possibly be the IDEAL way around for work and personal project balance! I LOVE the idea of being outdoors for work all week, and making time for 'indoors/online' stuff at the weekend. Sounds HEAVENLY. Also the no pressure making is possibly the purest, nicest way to create. Thanks for sharing!
This was lovely to listen to while bottling kombucha! I can totally relate to embracing creativity away from a screen. 😊 Looking forward to the next podcast!
Thanks so much for your kind words and support Beth! Oooh I have always been curious about making Kombucha - so delicious! **Looks up how to make Kombucha at home**