I Participated in a Puttython!

“Putts Puttyman” mixed media on recycled cardboard.

A few weeks ago I took part in an event that was referred to as a “Puttython.” it was instigated by Erin over at [Re]made by Hand and was hosted by Emily on the membership section or her site Puttylike.com. Essentially, the Puttython was a 24 hour celebration of being a multipotentialite, a term coined by Emily to describe the folks who subscribe to a philosophy of embracing and including multiple interest into your life’s work rather that being locked into a single niche or speciality.

The event was deemed a success as several of us “putty peeps” worked on our various interests throughout the day and met every four hours for a group “huddle.” During these informal 15 – 20 minute meetings, which were held in Google+ hangouts, we would touch base with one another and just talk about whatever we were currently working on. During the course of the 24 hour period there we several huddles, an open mic and a Twitter party was held in the wee hours of the following morning.

For the most part, I spent my day happily bouncing from one creative project to another without any preconceived idea, timeline or commitment t finish anything. I simply enjoyed the freedom I gave myself to happily work on whatever project I wanted, when I wanted and for however long I desired to do so. There was no pressure of deadlines or feelings of neglecting my other interests and obligations. I did work on a few jobs for clients as well as a couple projects which I am doing for both fun and to help build my own brand.

What was interesting to observe was that I seemed to have gotten more done on that day and was more productive than the days when I have a list of tasks in place. I do have a Get Things Done system in place which include various bits and pieces of the secret weapon and The Pomodoro technique.  However, I attribute my motivation mostly on wanting to show the other participants in the Puttython that I am no slouch. I have only been an official “Puttypeep” for a little over a month and I didn’t want to make a crummy first impression.

The reason I bring up my involvement with the Puttython and Puttylike.com is because I think it ties in nicely with my post about wanting to mash up my various interests and hobbies in order to achieve richer and more expressive creative work. I had joined the Puttylike group because I was drawn to it’s clear message of it being ok and encouraged to embrace multiple interest and skills. This concept particularly struck a deep chord with me on the creative level because it had defined something which I have been trying to get my own head around for several years and was so eloquently explained by Emily in her post and on her site.

I have done quite a bit of reading and watched more than a few videos about some of the theories on the creative processes of the brain and have learned that creativity is best cultivated by blending seemingly unrelated topics and looking for areas or common threads where they overlap and overarching themes can be found. This is an artistic avenue that I have been going down throughout my life but have begun to realize it recently. It’s during these creative sessions when I allow myself to experiment and open up to various ideas when the possibilities reveal themselves and my artistic mind kicks in and creative doors open wide.

Suddenly It makes some sense why a label peeled from a can of food that I enjoy belongs in my art journal pages. Or the wiring, circuit board and hardware from obsolete electronic equipment that I have used to the point of failure is now dismantled and has found its way into an assemblage or is now included in a garden art sculpture. The more I experiment with blending, bending, mashing and smooshing my hobbies and interests into one another the more ways I find to create something unique and fresh which speaks to me a secret language that is rich with meaning. Perhaps symbolic only to me and possibly anyone else who takes the time to look past the surface and peer a little deeper within. But isn’t that one of life’s greatest games, the game of hide and seek!

So what are ways you combine your multiple talents, skills and hobbies? Inquiring Puttypeeps want to know!

If you are interested in learning more about the multipotentialites, the Puttytribe or would like to read Emily’s account of the Puttython, I highly recommend that you visit the Puttylike site. Also there is a very interesting episode of Radio Enso where she is interviewed by the show’s host Greg Berg.