I think most creatives are wired to crave diversity within their projects and pursuits. I haven't yet met one who didn't enjoy dabbling in a few dozen types of work at a time. With this desire for new experiences and new expression, comes an eagerness for learning.
Personally, I am thankful to live in a time where there is an almost endless amount of knowledge available at my fingertips.
As I walked through the art museum the other day, I noticed how elementary so much of ancient design was.
Of course, there are mind-blowing detailed pieces and works from those with innate talent we could only dream of owning.
But there are also a lot of disproportionate figures, basic line drawings, and abstract representations.
It made me think of what it was like to be an artisan in ancient times - when your circle of influence was miniscule compared to today, when your teachers were the family and friends in your community, when there was no Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain or easily accessible art classes.
For one, this blows me away. To think of the millions of people who have gone before us who felt art from within, and pulled inspiration from the small world they occupied.
The works created and the progress made is truly awe inspiring.
But then to realize that I was born in a time where I am able to look back at all of their work and be influenced by it and learn from it...
To go to school and learn thousands of years of art history and technique...
And then to have even more information and training available through this magical thing called the internet..... *I'm dying over here*
So how do we make use of all this information in a way that is meaningful and built for our modern way of life?
Enter: Skillshare.
Skillshare is a "global learning community for creators." Their mission is simple, but powerful:
Our mission is to provide access to high-quality learning.
We believe that everyone is creative, and that giving people tools to harness their creative power has the potential to change lives for the better. Not creativity defined as an artist but creativity defined as a mindset, as a mental toolkit, as a set of building blocks, as a way of solving problems, and as a means to live a more interesting life.
By teaching the skills needed in tomorrow’s world, Skillshare empowers creators to pursue the work they love today.
What I love about Skillshare is that it is a community of creatives sharing knowledge, providing constructive feedback, and supporting each other to ultimately propel modern creative work into a whole new realm.
It is a place where illustrators can learn about marketing, jewelry makers can learn to watercolor, and photographers can learn about launching a business.
No matter your skill level, or where you're at in your journey, it can provide a rich and meaningful learning experience....whether you want to master techniques within your current craft, or flood that longing for diversity with new skills.
It's also a place where you can share your own experiences and talents with a whole world full of hungry creatives as a Skillshare teacher.
Skillshare is completely worth the investment as a platform for modern professional development. You can either sign up for classes one-off or become a member to gain access to all classes.
Here are a few of my favorite classes to get you started.
1. The First Steps of Hand Lettering by Mary Kate McDevitt
2. How to Present: Share Ideas That Inspire Action by Simon Sinek
3. Pattern Design I: Create Inspiring Repeats by Elizabeth Olwen
4. Watercolors for Illustrators by Sandra Bowers
5. The New Business Toolbox by Seth Godin