N is for Nerd
embracing nerdiness and going out on creative side quests
I think it is safe to say that being a nerd, either self-proclaimed or lovingly declared, no longer has the negative connotation that it used to have. In my opinion being called a nerd is something to embrace and to wear like a badge of honour. Perhaps you disagree, so in this post I’ll try and build a case in favour of nerdiness and how it can help your creative practice.Â
What is a nerd?
According to the Cambridge Dictionary a nerd is; ‘a person who is extremely interested in one subject, especially computers, and knows a lot of facts about it’. The Merriam-Webster dictionary is a bit kinder and perhaps more up to date: ‘Nerd: a person devoted to intellectual, academic, or technical pursuits or interests. Also: a person preoccupied with or devoted to a particular activity or field of interest’
So if being a nerd means to be extremely interested in a specific thing, and wanting to learn as much as possible about it, than I am quite happy to be a nerd. In other words, following your curiosity and going down those weird and wonderful rabbit holes. Longtime readers are familiar with my excitement about these creative rabbit holes, like that time I wanted to learn everything about crows and how to befriend them, or my fascination with treehoppers, trolls and mushrooms.
I have been trying to embrace my nerdiness more lately. This weekend I’m going to Castlefest, a fantasy themed festival where I’m sure to meet plenty of orcs, fae and warlocks, and even the occasional vampire. I’ve always wanted to go to a festival like this, but my shyness and general awkwardness has kept me from going and embracing the dresscode (which is not mandatory at all). Lucky for me, I have found a group of friends to tag along with and I’m excited about being immersed in a different world for a day. I will be bringing my sketchbook, hoping to draw lots of interesting characters to inspire my current folklore/myth project. This is how I convinced myself to go in the end, to bring a sketchbook and call it research.Â
Working on my folklore/myth project, I have been in such a great flow. It’s an incredible feeling when things start to come together and I’m having so much fun in the process.Â
As excited as I am about my characters, I want them to look more lively and dynamic. In order to do so I will need to expand my visual library by, you guessed it, observational drawing. We all know that observational drawing is not my favourite thing in the world, due to the before mentioned shyness and awkwardness, but the penny has finally really dropped for me about the importance of it. References online are great for practice, but if I want this project to be truly my own, then I will need to leave the Shire and go out on my own adventures.
Side questsÂ
In the next half of this year, I want to go out on more creative side quests. I’ve spoken here before on the importance of filling your creative well. In the Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron mentions that ‘as artists, we must become alert enough to consciously replenish our creative resources as we draw on them’.
As steeped as I am now in folklore, and because I am allowing myself to be more weird, I’ve have taken to imagine myself as a Baba Yaga like witchy figure, basked on my arm, stocking up my magical pantry with experiences, reading and field trips, filling pots and jars with swirls of inspiration. (See the picture below for my cute new basket, currently filled with the art supplies I am using.)
Learning DnD is next on the itinerary. After watching Dungeons and Dragqueens, I got exited about learning the game, seeing that, in essence, DnD is about creating a fantasy story together with your team and your dungeon master. There is a (board) game cafe near where I live where they host beginner friendly events. I have already decided that I want to be a druid, so that I can change into animals.
In which ways do you embrace your nerdiness? Any tips for future side quest are more than welcome!
Thanks again for being here. See you in the next one.Â
Links:
My current favourite work playlist by Blue Turtle
Dungeons and Dragqueens