Creative Tribes

Even without my practice, I have an eclectic group of creative people in my life. My creative tribe includes filmmakers, glass mosaic artists, photographers, writers, dog trainers, programmers, entrepreneurs, dance instructors, chefs, musicians, architects, and teachers.

It shouldn't be surprising that most of the members of my creative tribe are multitalented. For example, my glass mosaic friend is also a musician. My dog trainer friend is also a photographer. My dance instructor friend is also a programmer. Most creative people dabble in other creative fields. It's just the way our minds are wired; we love creativity in general.

Having a creative tribe is a lot like having a jam session with a jazz band. We riff on each other's ideas, give each other constant feedback, and we sometimes collaborate. Most importantly, my creative tribe encourages and challenges me to push myself, and hold myself accountable for the work I do, and don't do.

Creativity is meant to be shared. Creative endeavors go stagnant when left in isolation. If you feel your creativity is lacking mojo, or if you are having difficulty completing any of your creative projects, more than likely, you don't have a creative tribe in your life. You're not getting the feedback, encouragement, or accountability that is needed to keep the creative juices flowing.

It could also be that you're hanging around the wrong creative tribe. If the members of the creative tribe aren't challenging each other, you've ceased to be a tribe. You're more like casual acquaintances rather than an actual tribe.

A creative tribe is more than just a diverse group of people who want to be creative. Creative tribe members should challenge one another, and be engaged in each other's works. Creative tribes should actually care about the success and failures of its members. The creative tribe itself should be a work of art in progress.