Diving head-first into what I call "Creative Control"

Embarking on a creative journey can feel like stepping into a vast ocean of opportunities. After launching my first websites, I have found myself riding a wave of inspiration. As I nurture my creative practices in music, painting, and photo/video editing, everything feels more fluid and connected than ever. I'm going to go over some challenges I've faced and the victories that have come with understanding what I call "Creative Control."

The Birth of My Online Presence

Starting my first websites was a daunting task. I ventured into the unknown, hoping that my knack for tech and design would come in clutch for me. Uncertain if everything would align, I had a strong sense curiosity and determination. Seeing my ideas take shape online has been incredibly fulfilling. Both websites represent what it's like to be apart of my creative conscience encompassing painting, music, and editing.

Creating a cohesive look for my sites served both aesthetic and organizational purposes. I aimed to make my creative spaces feel interconnected, like the way tracks blend on an album or how one color on a color wheel somehow manages to find cohesion with one from the opposing side. Setting up these websites empowered me to curate my work, showcasing my talents and allowing others to explore my various creative paths which I am extremely new to.

For example, my music site features a diverse range of genres, from indie pop to mellow R&B, with each track averaging 2 to 4 minutes in length I'm hoping to make even more genre-bending music. My Wix site features around 15 creations/photos in total, that will each be paired with short stories that explain their inspiration, showcasing my growth as an artist.

Finding My Rhythm in Music Production

My foray into music production has been rather interesting. The time I spent listening to music and constantly making instrumentals recently amplified my creativity and helped me learn new techniques. My music is floating around the internet so I felt encouraged to experiment with various genres, pushing my creative limits since I'm so early into my music career even though I've been making music for years now.

Setting specific weekly goals kept me focused. For instance, I allocated one week for singing, songwriting, and producing. I wanted to at least get one song full of vocals and lyrics so that I can mix and master my other songs that have vocals on them the following week; This structure is starting become consistent. I created several projects, a few of them had mixing and mastering along with vocals and lyrics. I'm just not the best when it comes to putting out my music; I have 5x the amount of songs just floating around on the internet in my unreleased.

Of course, I do allow my creative friends to listen to snippets and even full songs to gain some sort of feedback. The excitement of hearing my tracks resonate with others drives me forward, opening doors for new connections and feedback that foster my artistic growth.

Embracing the Canvas

Painting is another vital aspect of my creativity, allowing me to express emotions that words cannot capture. It's been like that for a long time now and when I turned 17 I realized that's why art resonates with me so much. My websites serve as both a portfolio and a gallery, reigniting my passion for experimenting with colors, textures, and forms.

To deepen my connection with painting, I plan to now reserve a few hours each week to create without distractions. I discovered techniques through online tutorials and I'm looking forward to using them on the canvas.

Visualizing how each piece fits into my website’s aesthetic presents an exciting puzzle. Planning this visual narrative is akin to composing a visual album; each painting contributes to a larger story reflecting my experiences. I haven't previously worked on a literary project of this scale in terms of content before. For instance, I may paint 4 or 5 paintings that all have to do with how art feels like it was ripped away from my hands in my childhood due to how indescribable life was starting to become.

Exploring Photo and Video Editing

Photo and video editing have provided another exciting avenue for creativity. The ability to manipulate images and create videos has turned into a thrilling art form rather than just a technical skill that I have been meaning to delve into for years on end now.

Experimenting with different editing styles has yielded rather bipolar results in the past. I’ve shared numerous videos on my Instagram, showcasing different shows and movies synced with music that received over ~100 views each. The engagement was rather low but that didn't stop me from continuing. Now, I'm hoping to blow past those numbers with the techniques and rebranding I'm doing. I'm not sure where I'm going to start first but I do know that I have a lot to offer the world.

For example, I plan to create a short visual for one of the songs I'm working on that will keep the viewers shifting focus between the audio and video until finally the song and visual will create a harmony.

Connecting with the Creative Community

Something I'm hoping to achieve is gaining a sense of community with other small artists. I know a lot of people that are focused on something creative, whether it's video editing, photography, producing, poetry, etc. I just feel extremely out of the loop and I'm hoping since I kind of know what I'm doing now I can find my way into some sort of community... It's all about about getting out there and reaching people's ears with your voice. Again, something I struggle with.

I wouldn't mind finding a mentor or someone who's better than me at making my type of music so that I can learn a little bit from a like mind. I truly do feel like connecting with other artists would propel me forward and give me that motivation that every small artist needs.

If you’re an artist looking to enhance your journey, immersing yourself in community platforms can amplify your creative control. Sharing experiences and feedback can provide the spark needed to elevate your craft. Also, no matter what, put your work out there. You never know what could happen if you do put your work out there; the earlier the better. We're in an age where anything can take off.

Learning from Challenges

Every journey presents its challenges. Balancing music, painting, and editing while managing my websites can sometimes feel rather exciting but I know that I'm capable of burning out and abandoning a lot of work flows I worked toward. Creative blocks are inevitable; I’ve encountered moments where I felt uncertain about my next steps.

I’ve learned the importance of stepping back and allowing myself breathing space. It's important to have other hobbies to do. Me, I like to cook, bake, workout, play some games here and there. This approach helps me return to my projects with fresh eyes. Sometimes I find myself looking at or listening to what I made and laughing at myself. Prioritizing the tasks that are constantly scratching at your brain, accepting change and being okay with something not being "perfect", and allowing inspiration to flow no matter how it comes out looking are crucial for maintaining balance.

Keeping a creative journal has further helped clarify my thoughts and generate new ideas. Something about writing down things with pencil or pen just helps my mind think but maybe that's just me. Each challenge teaches resilience and adaptability, critical traits for sustaining creative passion. Embracing setbacks as part of the creative process has enriched my artistic journey.

The Adventure Continues

Diving head-first into what I call "Creative Control" has been transformative. From launching my first websites to exploring musical expression, painting, and video editing, my journey continues to evolve.

The crucial lesson is that creativity flourishes when we recognize art can't be perfect but it can be your best, you never know what someone else will think of your work. By improving my skills and knowing that my art and I have a spot in this world, I’ve ignited a passion for not only self-expression but also connecting with others.

As I move forward with my journey, my advice is simple: Know that your work has a spot in the creative world, face challenges knowing you will learn something from it, leverage your resources, and always put your work out there. Remember, creativity is a journey—not a destination—and there is no such thing as coincidences.

"So you've stopped pushing ahead and you're allowing yourself to get swept behind? Does it not bother you that maybe there was so much more to come from your journey? I guess neither of us will know." - Me

(I plan to use my Youtube channel for songs right now but if anyone has gotten this far let me know some ideas for videos)

https://www.youtube.com/@kurinoe/featured