We were lucky to catch up with Alivia Knight recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alivia, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Most of the time, my creativity feels like a candle that is trying it’s best not to be blown out during a hurricane. Before that, it felt like a skill I could only use when I was depressed or catatonic- in place of communication.
Recently though, my creativity has been keeping me alive. You see, around six months ago, I was diagnosed with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES). To make a long story short, my whole life has done a complete 180 – from not being able to drive anymore, to becoming dependent on more people in my life – everything has altered.
For the first month or so, I don’t remember retaining a whole lot during the day. I just remember drawing, painting or writing. About two months into the diagnosis, I started singing classes – so my day changed to drawing, painting, writing and singing. Three months after the diagnosis, piano classes were added to my weekly schedule. Which means my days are now filled with drawing, painting, writing, singing, and learning to play piano.
During this time period, I have been forgetful, agitated, confused, frustrated and I have been drowning in a feeling of helplessness. Yet when I needed it to, my creativity took the reigns and kept me a float. I wish I could give you bullet point answers to how it took over during this time but honestly I think I just hit rock bottom and it was the only thing down there with me.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
At the moment, I am focused on getting back on my feet. The only intention I have behind anything I create right now is to learn a new skill and understanding myself.
Ideally I will become known for my violently colored paintings, well thought out ideas, and my flare for drama.
Yet to be completely honest, I feel like I am in the pocket of time right before everything takes off for me, so I am forcefully enjoying the mundane I’m stuck in.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Be patient with yourself.
-It’s easier said than done, but honestly this is the best piece of advice I can pass to anyone starting their creative journey. You are not going to be amazing at everything you pick up, especially right away. You are not going to be able to create on the schedule you first create. Good ideas take time and good skills take a lot of practice. You are the only person taking this journey with yourself, so be kind and patient.
2. A little bit a day is better than nothing at all.
-The procrastination to create something is real, but doing a little bit every day to create something will always give you more at the end of the day than doing nothing at all.
3. Other artists can teach you new skills.
-This one was hard for me to swallow, especially because I don’t like feeling inferior to someone else’s skill set. Honestly though, even if they don’t match your style or art process or your skillset, they have knowledge that you do not.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My brother has been the most influential in helping me overcome my own ego to create successfully. He does this by constantly pushing the boundaries of what I create, pointing out that I keep myself in a comfortable box, and reminding me of what I am capable of. He has also been pertinent in reminding me that any skill I don’t have that I want, someone on the internet is teaching.
Every artist needs this kind of person in their corner, someone who will honestly tell you what is working and what doesn’t make sense.
I’m lucky in that, most of my family contributes to my creative endeavors in some way. Whether it’s helping me develop color profiles for a painting or editing my writing, they are involved in my art process.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aliviaknight.com/
- Other: Diary of a Struggling Artist: https://substack.com/@aliviaknight
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
