On being a creative generalist

The other day, I created a flyer for my opera society’s upcoming play. I created it using dip pens and inks, tracing the pictures. Within the theming of our show, the flyer is meant to look as if it was produced by the Major General’s daughters (a group of girls in their mid-to-late teens); for this concept, any inaccuracies in my work actually add to the effect. Overall, I’m very pleased with how it came out.

But it got me thinking. If I’d aimed to produce something that didn’t look quite so rough and ready, but had straighter lines and letters that were less irregular, I wouldn’t have been able to do it. Because I haven’t studied calligraphy, I haven’t practiced and worked at it until I’m good. I’m armed solely with a sense of what’s artistically appropriate, a vaguely steady hand, and a willingness to try new things.

I try a lot of creative pursuits. I’m attempting to write a novel (which I started for NaNoWriMo and continued working on afterwards). I’m helping a friend design and print board games. I sing, and dabble at piano, and every so often get the urge to record a track. I’m getting into theatre lighting design. I can build (rudimentary) things out of wood. I have my own app on the App Store, and I’m working on an update.

But, aside (maybe) from the app, none of these things am I particularly good at. Someone who has chosen one of them as their main focus, and put in the effort to get really good, will always be better than me. Because I’m a generalist at everything I do. And sometimes I feel like it’s hardly worth me trying, when my work will always be compared to people who have put in far more effort at that skill than I have.

Maybe the solution is to choose one thing to focus on long-term, and abandon the other things. Then, hopefully, I’d get to a point where I’m proud of how good I am at that one thing. But that would be a bit sad too, as when I’m not focussed on comparing my abilities to others, I do enjoy all these pastimes.

There’s no moral here. Just another chapter in my figuring out what to do in life. Until I figure it out, I guess I’ll keep making art, even when I’m not very good at it!

Oh, and come to my show. 25th-28th May, central London.