The Creative Life — tamara white

**Alexandra Bell, “Commissioned Painting: Two Paintings by Alexandra Bell,” 2022**

It’s been a minute since I sent out a blog post. Life somehow hijacks my best intentions. Despite my goal to create a daily habit of meditating, writing, and creating, it sometimes comes down to calling a plumber or walking the dog in the few precious moments that are elusively empty.

I’ve been thinking a lot about imposter syndrome after reading an article in The New York Times Style Magazine on the creative life. Editor-in-chief Hanya Yanagihara reminds us that we, as artists, don’t always feel like artists. We question our own processes. Sometimes finding inspiration not in our work but in hearing of the routines and struggles of others. “what do they do, these other people, to make art happen? How do they create? What might their struggles illuminate about our own?”

I constantly struggle with calling myself an artist. I have told myself that I'm not a real artist because I don't sell my art regularly or because I'm not represented by a gallery. I have a Ph.D., yet I'm not a real artist because I don't hold an MFA. I have written about how we are all creators and artists every day, tasked with adding flair through the choice of our clothes or the gardens we plant. Yet, I've led myself to believe that I'm not a real artist because I am not like…. [insert name of world-famous artist here.]

**Louis Fratino, “Dining Table Studio,” 2022**

The Times asked 40 artists to offer advice to other artists, young, mid-career, and late in the game. These were some of my favorites from the piece.

“Once you make a commitment to being an artist, the universe makes room for you somehow. But you have to make a commitment.” – Marilyn Minter, 73, visual artist

“Be kinder than you dare to people.” – Brontez Purnell, 39, writer and musician

“It’s important that you never try to copy or sound like anyone else. But you can admire their work…” – Bernadette Peters, 74, actor

“You need faith — and I don’t mean church but a belief in the thing that we can’t see.” – Uzo Aduba, 41, actor

“Learn how to advocate for yourself.” Joaquina Kalukango, 33, actor

“Spend time alone.” Willy Chavarria, 54, fashion designer

“You don’t have to know everything, because how could you?” Sutton Foster, 47, actor

“Don’t wear yourself out.” Justin Vivian Bond, 58, performer

“Art and activism are inextricably bound. There’s no choice any longer.” – Andre De Shields, 76, actor

“Try to get enough sleep. Eat sensibly. Stay politically active. Keep reading; keep rereading; keep observing; keep synthesizing.” Tony Kushner, 65, playwright

We are all directors in our lives and the world that we create for ourselves. Yanaghihara so adequately states, “art making is mysterious. It is also tedious. And somewhere between those two poles is where the artist lives: magic and drudgery, day after day, for all the lucky years of our lives.

For whatever reason, writing this made me think of James Lipton. My favorite part of Inside the Actors Studio was when the interview would end with ten questions. And so, I will sign off by answering them.

1. What’s your favorite word? Vincenzo not because it’s tied to anyone, but because it sounds so beautiful saying it.

2. What’s your least favorite word? Hashtag

3. What turns you on? Music and art

4. What turns you off? Cruelty and narcissism

5. What sound or noise do you love? The sound of my children laughing. Preferably together.

6. What sound or noise do you hate? The sound of D*n%ld tR$*@s voice

7. What’s your favorite curse word? Fuck

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Lead singer for my imaginary grunge band – Psycho Kitty.

9. What profession would you not like to do? Plumber [though it’s a very commendable job].

10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? You were right about me all along.

stay creative and let’s be nice to one another.

trw