❝ There are no rules in art & creativity.❞ 

Daniel Steinert

Kaurna/Adelaide-based artist, drummer, screen printer and all round creative thinker, Daniel Steinert, joined Support Act for our FIRST Creative Minds workshop a few months back.

Here is what Dan, one half of the two piece puzzle TOWNS, has to share about creativity.

What does the word ‘creativity’ mean for you?

Creativity means so many different things to me. I see it as a problem solver, an outlet, a messy and free thinking space and a way of expressing my identity and various range of emotions! 

Where do you think it comes from?

I think my creativity spawns from being so fascinated with so many different forms of art and finding inspiration in the things that other people make. I’ve always loved to draw since I was a kid and I feel like the spark has been reignited as I’ve grown older and realised there are no rules in art and creativity. 

Is creativity something you’re born with or something that you can learn and develop?

I truly believe everyone is born with so much creativity! Especially in those foundation years when you’re using your imagination in playing and drawing. I just think the outside world, the fear of being wrong and lack of inspiration can often shape one’s ability to access their creative side as they grow older. I think that’s why I gravitate towards the same media I was consuming as a young person and always trying my hardest to connect to my inner child.

❝ I think the outside world and fear of being wrong can often shape one’s ability to access their creative side as they grow older.❞

Tell us about a time you have been stuck creatively. How did you move through that?

I often tend to psych myself and be a perfectionist whenever it comes to doing jobs for people to support myself financially. My brain is constantly racing and sometimes your inner critic will convince you that you won’t do a good job on something or that ‘if it’s not perfect than it’s not worth starting the project’.  It can be REALLY challenging to block out that unhelpful voice and to remember not to sweat over the details. 

Sometimes I find it works best if I break down all the details and to even look at past work I’ve done to prove to myself that I’m capable of completing the task. I think it’s best to acknowledge when you’re struggling, and to take extra time with yourself and be patient with the tasks you’re doing! 

❝ It’s best to acknowledge when you’re struggling, and to take extra time with yourself and be patient with the tasks you’re doing!❞ 

How much of your identity is intertwined with your creative output? What are the pros and cons of that?

So much of my personality is intertwined within my creativity! I think it comes from a direct line of being SO inspired by the art I consume and with how much of it is so connected to my childhood and the tv, gaming, music and internet media I consumed growing up that helped form my identity. I feel like when I’m going through a bit of a life change and identity shift my art changes along with it too. 

I find myself being so connected to everything I make and I think that can be a detriment to my creativity sometimes because if someone doesn’t like something I make I can lean towards taking it too personally, straight to the heart and feeling rejected.

I’ve been working on that more though and have been trying my best to kick my habit of being a people pleaser and not feeling sad if what I make isn’t necessarily for them! 

It can also be a con in the way that I find myself constantly shifting and changing that I can look at past works and not feel as inspired by them. 

But being so connected to my creativity means that I can get the feelings out that I didn’t know were there or skills and ideas that I didn’t even know I had. 

What did you enjoy the most from Creative Minds workshop? 

I really enjoyed being apart of the ]workshop last year! It came at a time where I was entering a HUGE life shift and it really helped me to be present by interacting with all these different people along different walks of life in different creative fields. It was such an eye opener to see what other people succeed within and struggle with, and how the path of life is so diverse. It was SO nice listening to Ash King also explain the psychological aspects of creativity and how to be your best self while navigating such an emotionally taxing field of work and play. I spent most of the day just mentally realising how the dots connected between creativity and my brain and I felt blown away by the sheer amount of information Ash was presenting to everyone.

❝ I’ve definitely found myself respecting my boundaries a lot more since the workshop… finding better ways of being patient and understanding with myself ❞

Have you approached things differently or reflected on any of the content post workshop?

I’ve definitely found myself respecting my boundaries a lot more since the workshop and it’s helped me understand where my body and brain are at throughout life and its ebbs and flows of creativity. Old habits don’t die young though – I definitely still pull all nighters getting work done and messing myself over with tiredness and burnout! I’ve just found better ways of being patient with myself, processing things mentally, understanding myself, and also putting boundaries in place surrounding creative work!