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Artist Archetypes: The Imaginative Visionary
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Why do you create? If you're unsure about that, how can you define fulfillment and success for yourself as a creative? Let alone chart a path to get there?
Knowing your strengths, gifts and motivations can help you uncover the essence of what drives your creative process. This season on the Be. Make. Do. Podcast, we'll be discovering Your Artist Spiritual Archetype. Are you The Maker, The Mystic, The Imaginative Visionary, The Storyteller, The Soul Healer, and The Prophetic Critic?
In this episode Lisa and Dan introduce the Archetypes and highlight the Imaginative Visionary. "not the imaginary visionary." - Dan ABH
The Maker, The Mystic, The Soul Healer, The Imaginative Visionary, The
Prophetic Critic or the Storyteller? What's your archetype? Take the
quiz at www.soulmakers.org/quiz
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Transcript
Introduction to Be Make Do Podcast
00:00:12
Speaker
Hello, welcome to Be Make Do, a Soul Makers podcast where we talk about what it takes to pursue your calling with spiritual wholeness and creative freedom. I'm your host, Lisa Smith, here with my producer, Dan ABH. Hello, everyone.
Discovering Your Artist Archetype
00:00:27
Speaker
This season on the Be Make Do podcast, we've created something really fun that I think you're going to enjoy, a quiz ah for you to find out your artist archetype. And by that, it's not like putting you in a box to decide this is the type of artist you are and we know everything about you. It's a fun tool to look at the things that you enjoy. Why do you create to begin with?
00:00:52
Speaker
What makes you excited? What brings you to the studio on a regular basis? And here's the reason
Motivations Behind Art Creation
00:00:59
Speaker
why. It's always fun to look at ourselves and find out who we are and you know and see ourselves mirrored back to ourselves. But what we're trying to do with this is try to ask some deeper questions about our motivations for why we create. And here's why.
00:01:17
Speaker
Because many times when we think about being an artist, especially when other people think about artists in general, we tend to kind of have this overarching ah narrative of what that means, what that
Redefining Success in the Arts
00:01:30
Speaker
looks like. And we as artists can even get trapped into that ourselves and feel like success for me looks like somebody else's path of success.
00:01:40
Speaker
or very binary thinking. It's either fame and fortune or nothing. you know When do I know that I'm good enough? When do I know that I've made an impact? But it becomes difficult when we're constantly striving for what's next, what's next, what's next, increasing our influence, increasing our our likes and our shares and all of that kind of stuff. Our fulfillment can get left in the dust.
00:02:07
Speaker
So we're proposing that we start with what motivates us to create, to begin with, who are we? What are our special gifts and talents and um how we see the world? This is kind of going into that make what you are created to make, understanding how and what you love to create. And then thinking of that as a starting place for building a career, for fulfillment,
00:02:34
Speaker
and also being able to make a living. And I believe that those two things are possible, maybe not in the same way that we typically think about it, um but starting with what you desire and what kind of is, what makes you tick as a creative person is gonna be the path, the best way to start out thinking about how to create the career for you. Right, and it's not even just like a hopeful tool, it's just a practice of trying to think about what is motivating you to create, what is motivating you on how you create, when you create. And that's a different way of looking at things. And I really think that if we all started to think that way, then this notion of how to get ahead and why am I feeling left behind and FOMO and all that will start to dissipate, I think, because it's it's almost like a spiritual practice too to understand
00:03:28
Speaker
how you are working, where that's coming from, what is motivating you. Yeah. Because motivation is different than wanting to just be like somebody else. Exactly, exactly. Or prove to somebody that you are a legit singer, writer, dancer, actor. Well, I'm still going to do that, but I think, you know. You are legit.
00:03:50
Speaker
Yeah, I think a lot of people kind of come to that crossroads.
Lisa's Personal Journey and Community Building
00:03:54
Speaker
I know for me, I went to school for acting. That's all I ever wanted to do. And in my mind, what it meant to be a successful actor or a theater person, well, for me, it became a love film. So go to LA and become, you know, as to get my Oscar, like that's what it means. And as a younger person, it's either that or you're a failure. Yeah.
00:04:16
Speaker
That's a pretty ridiculous bar, by the way, anyway, for what it looks like to be a successful actor. But not only that, i over time, i as I kind of found myself being drawn to other kinds of things like creating community or creating a experiences, using theatrical tools or improvisation or just designing kind of almost like sets, like creating a space to and invite people into to have an experience of their own. I had a crisis of like, am I really? I'm not really an actor anymore. Am I? I haven't been on stage doing that in a while. Who am I? What am I? And I had to kind of mourn that a little bit, but then also realize, well, wait a second. I'm doing what I love to do. So it's not like
00:05:10
Speaker
I am doing something wrong and actually I am using all of those things. I've just created a whole new... way of doing it for myself. Right. Right. And again, like, it's not a it's not like a personality thing, right? It's not like an introvert extrovert. And
Exploring Six Artist Archetypes
00:05:27
Speaker
I remember when we were putting this together. And to me, I only thought there would only be like two. But there's six. Yeah, right. We've got we've got the imaginative visionary, got the maker, the maker, the mystic, the soul healer, the storyteller,
00:05:45
Speaker
and the prophetic. The prophetic critic. That's right. We remembered them all. We've got them all. That's right. Yes. We've narrowed it down to six different types, ah archetypes that kind of exhibit the characteristics of different parts of our personalities. And some people will take the quiz and be absolutely one of the archetypes that they'll say, this nails me, this is who I am. Other people might be like 20% each of those. Yeah. Yeah.
00:06:15
Speaker
And sometimes we kind of switch around depending on what part of ourselves or what part of our career or our life we're in. So yeah, it's not it's not meant to put you in a box, but it is meant to kind of get you thinking, why do I, what do I hope to get out of this? What do I want from this? Where is God calling me to? And to let go of ideas of patterns for success, the systems that are set up for having influence in the arts or making a life in the arts are really, really difficult to navigate and not set up for a lot of people to do well. But the arts are meant to be
00:07:00
Speaker
a part of everyday life, in every sphere of life, in every place on the planet. So I think that's part of what we're hoping with soul makers is also and to encourage people not just think about that 0.1% tiny sphere of those who are like, quote unquote, made it, but to really think about the arts as a gift that we give to the world and to be um empowered to do that.
00:07:31
Speaker
all over the place, all the time in lots of different ways. Right. Well, let's get started with our first archetype.
Deep Dive into Imaginative Visionary Archetype
00:07:38
Speaker
All right.
00:07:49
Speaker
So we're gonna start off our series today by talking about the imaginative visionary. The way we're gonna do this this season is we'll have one episode where we talk about that archetype, um what it is, some of the challenges that that archetype faces, and then what you need to thrive, and maybe some some more ways of of thinking about how you can build your career in a way that's fulfilling for you. And then we'll have a followup episode where we talk with a creative, an artist, somebody in an industry who fits that archetype can relate to that about what motivates them and just kind of hear from them about how they've navigated their career and any advice that they might have for us. So I think it'll be a really nice way to explore this and um hopefully to give us some tools to think maybe a little more expansively about what it means to be a quote unquote successful artist.
00:08:43
Speaker
So, like I said, we're starting with the imaginative visionary, not the... Imaginary visionary. Right. Which is another great way to say it. They might feel that way sometimes. I do think that's probably true. Yeah, let's talk a little bit about this archetype because that joke may make sense soon. Right, right. Well, the imaginative visionary is somebody who is really all about the big picture.
00:09:09
Speaker
the big ideas. In fact, the ideas themselves may feel more important sometime than an actual product or end result. um They're really the people who can kind of take a look at a lot of different pieces and see how things might be different, how there might be a path to move from from one way of being to another way of being. So they're all about vision.
00:09:35
Speaker
and thinking about creative paths to get from point A to point B. They're usually the person in the group who's got like the big ideas. They've got a different way of thinking about things. um That's basically just where they live. Head in the cloud. No, not head in the clouds. I'm saying this because that's that's probably where I kind of identify with a lot of what sort of drives me.
00:09:59
Speaker
um But they really do believe that, as from an artistic standpoint, that that art and new these new ideas, innovation, have a way to impact the world in positive and and hopeful ways. So yeah, that's basically the imaginative visionary. Do you know any imaginative visionaries in your life, Dan? You.
00:10:22
Speaker
I should ask you what the challenges are. What's the challenge of living? Another thing I would point out too is how, in my opinion, how deeply spiritual this archetype is.
00:10:34
Speaker
ah how they're working how they're how they're not only how they're working, but where they're working from and what's motivating them. ah Spiritual AF, just very spiritual. And I think that's really important for this specific type of archetype. Yeah, yeah. I think this is true, again, because of ah the focus on the bigger picture, the bigger ideas, and seeing how things are connected. And so that that lends itself to this
00:11:05
Speaker
sense of spiritual purpose right um or connected to something bigger than ourselves. Yeah. Yeah. And the second type isn't like like getting up in the morning and running out the door and going to like make something or like but they are sort of like sitting there thinking and deeply thinking of what is the need for the culture? What is the need for this?
00:11:30
Speaker
um And there's nothing wrong with that person that just jumps out the door and is like ready to rock. But maybe that archetype or that sort of artist or that personality, if you will, um just they just want to do something. Yeah, that's great. So that starts to get to why and how knowing about your motivations can help you make choices to find a fulfilling career path.
00:11:55
Speaker
Because if you know that it's the ideas and creating something new that's gonna excite you and keep you creating. Then you probably wanna stay away from a situation where you're gonna get locked into one thing for the rest of your life.
00:12:12
Speaker
You know what I mean? like i even Even as an actor for me, like a really great gig would be to get a role in a ah musical on Broadway and or a touring production and tour for months and months and months and months or years even doing two to four shows a day.
00:12:36
Speaker
I mean, that's solid work. That's awesome. yeah I would hate that
Visionary Challenges and Strategies
00:12:42
Speaker
because that's it's after it would lose its freshness very quickly for me. I love rehearsal. I love the process. I love sitting down with a new script and a new idea and and getting behind it and fleshing it out and creating the world around that that kind of stuff.
00:12:59
Speaker
But it's almost like, and performance is awesome too, but over time that becomes really difficult to sustain or like even teaching, teaching acting or something like that would become difficult over time because it's just the same thing. Even though there's a newness in it, it's starting a new project. Being able to own that about myself has been really helpful to say, I have to do things that have an end and then I'm able to start something new.
00:13:29
Speaker
Yeah, and this this this doesn't mean that only these vocations are, are or you can be a um imaginative visionary, and not imaginary visionary, um but some of the vocations that I think of at the top of my hand, because I am not.
00:13:44
Speaker
this archetype um is like ah a director, a producer, a writer. The ones that are creating the world because they see it in a completely different way and they're trying to connect these pieces and bring people into it for the greater good. Yeah, yeah exactly.
00:14:03
Speaker
exactly Yeah, I think one of the biggest things that stand out to me is this idea that this archetype believes in the power of art, that art can change lives and impact the world. So it's not just about creating the play or the movie or the production or the exhibit. It's that and also how it's going to change lives, change culture.
00:14:30
Speaker
But at the same time, I'm wondering what the challenges yeah that this one has, because I can think of a few, um but I love to pick your brain. Let's talk let's talk about the challenges. well Tell me about your issues, since this is your archetype.
00:14:48
Speaker
Well, it started when I was three. No. Well, what you just said is right on to go into the challenges. So there is this desire to make a difference in the world, right? Or this belief that if only this vision could be realized, then things would be different.
00:15:07
Speaker
But that becomes a challenge when reality doesn't live up to your vision. And that that's really common. That's common for everybody, but especially I think somebody in this particular archetype, not being able to see strong results or immediate effect of what you do can be very, very discouraging. And so I think that's one of the reasons why it's so important to have um Well, for one thing, to have connections with people who can help make your vision a reality, right? So we were talking about the the maker who gets up in the morning and just goes to do the thing and has the proficiency to get it done. It's great when you have somebody ah that you can work with who can take your ideas and help to make it a reality. So realizing that you need to be a part of a team.
00:15:58
Speaker
as ah as an imaginative visionary. You need to surround yourself with other creative people and learn to be able to articulate your vision in a way that other people can grab hold of that, make it their own, and help to bring it into fruition. But then also from, I think, a spiritual side, like you were saying, is to realize that the things that we create and contribute, the ideas, the pieces we put out into the world It's almost like once you start getting that ball rolling, it is out of your hands. To recognize the only thing you can control is how you articulate that, what you put out into the world, but you can't control the end result. That's really in God's hands. And to understand that we're working in concert really with the Holy Spirit. right And to follow that leading and to trust that ah your role is to be faithful in your part
00:16:55
Speaker
but not to judge yourself on perfection by perfectionistic standards. Right. And it seems like just by hearing that some issues that this archetype could run into is um maybe issues with following through with with everything because it's such a gigantic idea and maybe not having these other archetypes in your life or help to see it through.
00:17:18
Speaker
um and maybe not being able to logistically do the steps like like we we're talking about the maker. But it also like feels like anxiety could also, the weight of it, as you really get into it, could be probably crippling.
00:17:33
Speaker
Yeah, that's a really good point to feel like it's so important that you're afraid to put something out there because people might not accept it or not might not get it or it might not be good enough. All of these things can then keep you from just putting stuff out there. Yeah. Does it feel like you know, once it's going, it's sort of like, oh oh, Lord, what did I get myself into type of thing? Yeah. Well, i I think there can be that because, and you were talking about following through and it's, you know, it depends on your personality within, within an archetype, then there's all kinds of different personalities and strengths and gifts and stuff like that. So it depends on, you know, what disciplines you've, you've given yourself and you've worked on and probably somebody who's
00:18:17
Speaker
older and you know learned a lot of life lessons has probably built up their capacity for things that maybe somebody just starting out hasn't. um But I think ah the Imagine a Visionary is the person in the room who is never short of an idea. you know They can sit around and talk about those ideas forever. And I know for me anyway, I'll get six different ideas or I'll have i'll see the completed picture that needs to be done yesterday.
00:18:44
Speaker
and then get frustrated because and feel like a failure because it's not done yesterday, even though I just thought of it right this second. you know Like, oh my gosh, I should have thought of this before. and And then, yeah, get overwhelmed and not follow through because it's too much. yeah As opposed to either a, learning to call down those ideas to the one and then committing to it. Or like you said, building a team around that that can help to execute.
00:19:14
Speaker
But also, I mean, this was something that I did not learn until very much later was I felt like because I came up with the ideas or because I had ideas um that I had to be the one to execute them, that I had to do it all by myself, that I should be good at administration and marketing and um pulling people together and managing people and managing events. like i those are the real To me, like those are the real things. Those people do real things. you know and they're They have real skills that I didn't have. and i and I thought everybody everybody thought like me. Anybody can do that.
00:19:57
Speaker
so realizing that um Okay, the way that I think I do bring something to the party you know and and that's that's enough. And then it's also creating opportunities for other people to bring their skills and gifts into it as well and to partner together to create something bigger than even whatever my original brilliant idea was that it's going to be better with other people.
Embracing Big Ideas and Spiritual Growth
00:20:22
Speaker
So we talked about the motivation and we've discussed some of the challenges. Now, what are the things that this archetype could use to thrive?
00:20:34
Speaker
Right. Well, we'll start with the one that's for everyone, which is obviously developing strong spiritual practices and a really clear sense of identity, who you are in Christ and developing a framework, a system, disciplines, relationships, all of those things that are going to help you go deep and have that solidly um solidly grounded Yeah, I mean, that is very important, but I'm wondering like how how you curate that and make that a major importance. Well, obviously, like anything, it takes intentionality and looking for um people who are really ah willing to go where you're wanting to go. I mean, this is like we've created things like spiritual collectives through convergence, and we're getting ready to start some some groups for soul makers.
00:21:33
Speaker
to look for a small group of people who um it almost like this peer mentoring, you know to be really willing to be vulnerable with each other, but to be serious about your spiritual life together. You want to find people who aren't afraid to be vulnerable and talk about what's really going on in their lives and not to be competing with each other, but also people who are going to hold you accountable for who you say you want to be and what you what you want to do to find that. And it doesn't have to be a lot of people. In fact, it probably won't be a lot of people. One or two other people that you can really um be in that kind of relationship with. But then it takes the discipline of of creating habits. And habits is habit is not and a bad word. it's not a
00:22:21
Speaker
a nasty word It's a good word. Like habits are the things that can help you. You do something small day after day after day that gets you in the long run to where you want to go. And I think for an imaginative visionary that works on both a spiritual level and on the proficiency of craft.
00:22:39
Speaker
Like in order to get where you wanna go, you do have to put in the time to develop the skills that you need to get you where you wanna go. So I think those are the two two of the things. They also happen to be some of the principles that we talk about for soul makers.
00:22:55
Speaker
Well, I'd say for the imaginative visionary, the driving force is really vision. you know Vision, mission, this idea of you know something bigger. So having clarity around that of what where your values are and what's really, really important to you.
00:23:12
Speaker
will help you to make choices between all those different ideas so that you can find one. And I think the encouragement there is to go for the the thing that really excites you, that you really feel that that call and that move, not to be afraid of that big idea that other people don't get.
00:23:33
Speaker
you know, especially when you feel this like spirit movement to just go for it and understand that you will face criticism and rejection and all of those kinds of things, which is again why it's great to have a relationships with people who can support you in that, but to understand that that uncomfortable place is a natural space for you.
00:23:55
Speaker
That's probably just where you're going to live. And so finding ways to take care of yourself and feel supported and feel like ah even when people don't get it around you, that that that doesn't mean that you're on the wrong path. I think that's a really, really important peace to be aware of and and to make sure you kind of almost protect yourself in that way, to have that kind of confidence to be able to go forward. So this has kind of been an overview of the imaginative visionary.
Engagement with Artist Archetype Quiz
00:24:27
Speaker
You can learn more on our website. You can take the quiz, the archetypes quiz, and find out what archetype you are and learn about
00:24:35
Speaker
your motivations. See if that resonates for you as you read through it. See, is this does this speak to you about what motivates you and are there other things that kind of pop to mind? And maybe look at the challenges and see if there are challenges that are really are where you are struggling right now or maybe there are things to look out for in the future.
00:24:56
Speaker
And then take a look at some of the ways that we've listed for how you can thrive in that and some of the resources and tools that we have available through Be Make Do and Soul Makers to help you in that. Next time that we get together, we're going to be talking with Eric Loxmo.
00:25:11
Speaker
He scored as an imaginative visionary, so we sat down to talk with him about what motivates him and some of the challenges that he's had over the course of his career. So be sure to listen next time as we talk in depth with somebody who scored as the imaginative visionary in the Archetypes quiz.
00:25:29
Speaker
And I hope that you'll join us for the rest of the series as we explore the archetypes and what motivates you to do what you were created to do, to make what you were created to make, and to be what you were created to be. You like that? I switched that around there. You did. That was really good. That's not even scripted. I know. Yeah. All right. See you next time.
00:25:50
Speaker
Thanks for listening to Be Make Do, a Soul Makers podcast. All links and resources are located in our show notes. Want to know your artist archetype? Take the quiz at soulmakers dot.org backslash quiz.