The DIY Creative
prag-mat-ic
adjectivedealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way based on practical rather than theoretical considerations.
Learning by doing is the backbone of anything we know and love today. If it weren't for the 'try' there would be no cars, planes, internet, electric guitar, reality TV...you get the idea. Being a pragmatist has been the only way I've ever figured out anything. In the last few years I have finally been older number wise than the amount of jobs I've had, I'm in my mid-thirties mind you. For instance, if I hadn't waited tables for roughly 44 days I might not understand the importance of a good tip. I could go and on, but I'll spare you and get to it.
The DIY Creative is me. It's all of us to a certain extent and I'm certain we can all relate to each other in ways most cannot at the water cooler. We've pulled all nighters on accident trying to get a good mix or searching for the right tones. We've taken horrible gigs that we knew were horrible but in the back of our minds thought "this could be the one." We've thrown more sketches in the trash than we've shown to even loved ones, hit backspace too many times to count, thought the worst of our craft, been unable to take a compliment for our work, the list goes on and on and on. It's the torture of the creative and the creative process. At least for me. The purpose of this site and venture is multi-tiered and complex, at least it was while I was staring at the ceiling last night thinking on my next move. But at the heart of this is a desire to tear away the unspoken competitive spirit creatives carry and to build a community where we are able to work together, highlight our peers, celebrate and congratulate without warrant, and to share.
The label I've released most if not all of my music under has been called PragmaticSound. I built a guitar many years ago and even had a custom waterslide logo made for it that says "Pragmatic Soundcaster" a nod to the Fender Stratocaster (I'll post a picture later) but it's been a phrase and meaning that's stuck with me. If you're a musician, artist, writer, producer, painter, designer, architect of anything creative - this is for us. I'm unsure where this quote came from but it reads "if you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together." My personal belief is that as creatives we are better banding together than vying for more plays than our peers, or getting the repost or tag. So, if you've made it this far, I appreciate it - we will be featuring creatives frequently and providing ways to connect and do what we do best. Create.
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Same page, man. My wife and I have been talking through this so much for the past year or two, reflecting on our selfishness and the uselessness of it. Glad to see you putting some words together on the subject.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I don't know that what I said made a ton of sense but it is something I feel strongly about and it's taken years and maturity to figure that the piece that's missing is the community. I appreciate the comment! - a
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