clevermanka (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
clevermanka) wrote2023-04-16 10:23 am
clevermanka) wrote2023-04-16 10:23 am
Problem solving as a vocation
Had an insight this morning about the way I think and what sort of thinking supplies me with dopamine hits.
I realized in my third semester of art school that I am not an artist and frankly had no interest in being one. Before anyone jumps to my unnecessary defense, I define an artist as someone who has a vision, a need to share it, and the dedication to develop the skills necessary to share that vision the way they want (or as close as they can, anyway). Instead, I'm a craftsperson. I like the process of learning techniques and practicing them for the sake of the technique itself more than the act of creation or sharing a vision. And I love applying technique to solve a problem.
My toxic ex once told me I'd have been a good engineer, but alas my style of intelligence rarely extends to scientific concepts. I failed Intro to Astronomy and I struggled to understand the freaking Krebs cycle in basic biology class. I suspect I have a sizeable side order of dyscalculia, too. Forget physics and calculus, lol no.
Solving artistic problems, though? Love it. Someone once mentioned they were impressed how I covered a piece of furniture with a variety of spray paints because I didn't have a single can with sufficient paint to cover. It seemed like such an obvious solution to me but life's rich tapestry, you know? I've always enjoyed incorporating the concept of use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without not because I've been on a tight budget my whole life (that's a recent development), but because doing so is fun for me. What else can I use that item for? How can I make something using only the items on hand? And since I've been doing it for so long I can usually make the result pretty, not just functional.
When I started writing fic I realized this extended to that as well. I'm not so great at developing plot, but I am good at figuring out how to get characters from Point A to Point B. Need motivation for someone acting out of character? Or a way to get the McGuffin? I'm on it.
It applies to reading tarot cards and writing rituals, too. I didn't design the tools or techniques but I'm good at using them to find possible solutions and adapting them to the specific need. It's all just problem solving.
Anyway, this isn't terribly deep or anything, just nice to be reminded that I'm good at some things. Now I need to figure out how to effectively market those skills because unfortunately, capitalism isn't a problem I can solve.
This post brought to you by my fucking up an art project on Friday (bc I was Working While Fatigued) and today I need to decide which of the three fixes I want to use.
I realized in my third semester of art school that I am not an artist and frankly had no interest in being one. Before anyone jumps to my unnecessary defense, I define an artist as someone who has a vision, a need to share it, and the dedication to develop the skills necessary to share that vision the way they want (or as close as they can, anyway). Instead, I'm a craftsperson. I like the process of learning techniques and practicing them for the sake of the technique itself more than the act of creation or sharing a vision. And I love applying technique to solve a problem.
My toxic ex once told me I'd have been a good engineer, but alas my style of intelligence rarely extends to scientific concepts. I failed Intro to Astronomy and I struggled to understand the freaking Krebs cycle in basic biology class. I suspect I have a sizeable side order of dyscalculia, too. Forget physics and calculus, lol no.
Solving artistic problems, though? Love it. Someone once mentioned they were impressed how I covered a piece of furniture with a variety of spray paints because I didn't have a single can with sufficient paint to cover. It seemed like such an obvious solution to me but life's rich tapestry, you know? I've always enjoyed incorporating the concept of use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without not because I've been on a tight budget my whole life (that's a recent development), but because doing so is fun for me. What else can I use that item for? How can I make something using only the items on hand? And since I've been doing it for so long I can usually make the result pretty, not just functional.
When I started writing fic I realized this extended to that as well. I'm not so great at developing plot, but I am good at figuring out how to get characters from Point A to Point B. Need motivation for someone acting out of character? Or a way to get the McGuffin? I'm on it.
It applies to reading tarot cards and writing rituals, too. I didn't design the tools or techniques but I'm good at using them to find possible solutions and adapting them to the specific need. It's all just problem solving.
Anyway, this isn't terribly deep or anything, just nice to be reminded that I'm good at some things. Now I need to figure out how to effectively market those skills because unfortunately, capitalism isn't a problem I can solve.
This post brought to you by my fucking up an art project on Friday (bc I was Working While Fatigued) and today I need to decide which of the three fixes I want to use.
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