What Powerlifting Taught Me About The Artistic Process
Two seemingly different worlds converge
When I’m not drawing, traveling, or designing courses at my day job, you’ll find me at the gym pursuing one of my other passions: competitive powerlifting.
I’m sure you’re thinking … what in the world does one thing have to do with the other? Power … what? Huh? Powerlifting is a strength sport comprised of three barbell lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift. It’s different from weightlifting, CrossFit, or bodybuilding. It’s a long story how I got into it, but it’s totally changed my life for the better.
On the way home from the gym recently, it occurred to me that my lifting journey and my artistic journey are quite similar, although one might think they’re two completely different things. Allow me to explain.
Consistency is key; put in the reps.
Just like fitness, getting better at your chosen art form takes patience and regular practice! Becoming a powerlifter requires regular training sessions. Honing your art craft requires regular practice, too. We need to put in our “art reps” by drawing, sketching, writing (or whatever your magic is) on a regular basis, even if it’s just for 15-20 minutes at a time.
Progress isn’t linear.
Most of us don’t magically wake up one day transformed into a next-level artist. The road to progress has a lot of potholes and detours. We all experience times when things are going well - our subscriber numbers are up or we might get that gig or book deal we were hoping for. And then … there’s a setback. Lost subscribers. Contracts fall through. You have no inspiration and no new ideas. That’s normal! Sometimes I have a crap training session or two. Sometimes, training sucks for weeks at a time. It comes around eventually, and I’ve found my artistic progress comes in waves just like my training progress.
Along those same lines …
Setbacks happen; keep going anyway.
Even when I don’t feel great or my lifts aren’t going the way I want, I still train. If your art isn’t getting any traction and it’s seems like you’re creating in a vacuum, keep doing it … for YOU. I recently set up a Patreon where I blog about living with a chronic condition (Lyme Disease), strength training, and wellness topics. People expressed a lot of interest in this project, yet no one has signed up (yet). I’m going to keep blogging and making training vlogs anyway. Something will happen eventually. Even if it doesn’t, well, I learned how to use Canva, so it’s not all bad.
Comparison and hardship can be obstacles or catalysts to success.
Comparison is the thief of joy, the adage goes … unless you “alchemize” it and use it as inspiration. We’re all at different stages and levels, and that’s okay. I might not be as strong as the girls I lift with at my gym. I could feel bad about myself and let that slow me down. Or, I could let others inspire me to be the strongest version of myself and show me the possibilities of human achievement. Then I remember that I survived a potentially debilitating illness, and I’m blessed to even be able to train (or live a normal life) at all.
It’s the same with my art practice. There are a LOT of artists with a massive following and tons of paying subscribers. It’s easy to compare myself to them and wonder if I’m “good enough” or “missing something.” Thinking like that will keep me stuck and maybe even turn into bitterness if left unchecked. Or, I can choose to allow those successful people to help me become better (even if they don’t even realize it) by participating in their workshops and live sessions, asking them questions, and learning from them. There was a point in my life where my joint pain was so severe that I couldn’t hold a pen. Now, I make part of my living by graphic recording.
We all need support.
Powerlifting, like art, can be a solitary practice. You’re the only one with that heavy weight on your back just like you’re the only one with a pen or brush in hand. Having a solid training environment will make you stronger; having a solid support group of other creative people will make you a better artist.
In closing
In both fitness and creativity, it’s an art form in itself to balance accepting where you are right now while also desiring improvement. Be consistent as you’re able to with your practice, and give yourself grace when you hit a roadblock. Take inspiration from others. You don’t have to do this all by yourself. We get better - and stronger - together.
This was really good! I see those similarities in my own life as well with my writing. Powerlifting is no joke, good for you!!