We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Devan Martin Friedrichs. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Devan below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Devan with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My work ethic as a creative definitely came from my experience as a collegiate swimmer. Even though life as a creative is much more free-flowing, the skills I learned from college athletics have immensely helped me to navigate the world as an adult. It has helped my resiliency, tenacity, overall hard-working attitude, and my time management skills.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a visual artist and co-founder of the Cosmic Roots Collective in Atlanta, GA. I showcase my work in galleries and at markets in the Atlanta & greater Atlanta area. The Cosmic Roots Collective hosts events in Atlanta that highlight the creative gifts of local artists.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I feel that the three qualities/skills that have been most impactful in my journey have been reflection, time management and patience. Reflection has been an important part of my days and weeks as I grow as an artist- I find its crucial for me to take the time and reflect on what I have done while placing myself in what has happened around me. It has helped me to find my footing when things get crazy or I feel lost in processes. Time management was a skill that I learned the value of while I was competing as a collegiate swimmer. Being able to not only maintain my studies and athletics, but also excel in them has proved to give me strength and wisdom to get things done in my day-to-day life now. Patience has proved to be essential as well because I’ve had to learn how to not grow frustrated when things aren’t happening at the rate I would like to them. I have learned that there are many aspects of the creative life that cannot be rushed, and it’s important to let things happen naturally. For people who are just starting their journey I would encourage them to take the time to hone in on these things as well. Make space to journal and reflect so you can recognize your own growth. Combine time management with patience and take the time to allow for things to develop, making sure you aren’t overexerting yourself in any one particular area of life.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
I am facing a challenge lately that I feel is pretty unique. My mother is unfortunately losing her battle with brain cancer and our family made the decision to have her go on hospice a couple of months ago. Looking back to all that I was doing just 3 months ago, to how much things have changed now has been a really big adjustment. I went from being in my studio at my home in Smyrna nearly everyday to spending a majority of my time up at my parents house in Johns Creek, Georgia. It is hard to switch it up when things are flowing nicely, not to mention the lack of time I have had lately to sit down and just create. But, I do feel like it is teaching me things that I can’t even recognize yet & these things will surely help me to grow and develop. It’s made me recognize how necessary it is to be flexible with yourself when life happens. I have also learned the importance of a daily creative habit to keep me going, regardless of the circumstances or settings around.
Contact Info:
- Website: creativelyflowing.com
- Instagram: @creativelyflowing
- Facebook: Creatively Flowing
