An artist’s guide to finding your creative outlet
Ayanna J. Humphrey is a final-year PharmD candidate at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy.
You all know how difficult, yet rewarding, pharmacy school is. The exams, networking, and interviews can be really exhausting after a while. I believe it is important to have something that keeps you sharp, physically active, and creative. Personally, I choose puzzles, jumping rope, and painting. I have been an artist for as long as I can remember, having won competitions, having art on display in the Memphis International Airport, and having my art included in a published book. I started a commission-based business out of creating an abundance of artwork for clients.
However, in times of high stress or low inspiration, it is important for me to create art just for the sake of creativity—I let loose and forget what the outcome will be. Art can be therapeutic by letting the mind unwind and stay in the moment. I often play some of my favorite music or a show in the background and watch the artwork start to take shape on the page.
If you are interested in getting into art as a creative outlet, I’d like to offer some key pointers.
Lay out your expectations beforehand
Do you care if the outcome is recognizable as something in particular? Or are you going for a more abstract piece? When creating art as a leisure activity, no one can set the expectation of your results except you. If you want to start off with stick-figures or portraits, go ahead and give it a try!
What medium do you want to work in today?
There are so many options when it comes to creating art, so it may take time to find your niche. From colored pencils and paint to resin and jewelry, your options are almost limitless. Will a classic piece of paper suffice, or should you try a piece of wood?
How long do you want the creative session to be?
It can be a 10-minute break in the midst of studying or it can be a 3-hour marathon. Either way, as with studying, setting an allotted time toward the activity can help make sure you actually get around to starting—but not always necessarily completing—the piece.
Relax and have fun!
The joy of making art is that everyone can do it as long as you put time into it. It takes time and experience to become skilled at anything and art is included. It can be easy to fall into the trap of self-doubt, especially when trying something new. Some people—including yourself— may not like nor understand your art, but it is more important that you are able to commit to the process and see it through for yourself. As you practice more, creating art can become second nature and more relaxing for you.
There are a vast number of subsets of art, such as photography, glass blowing, or sculpting that one could explore. Similarly, pharmacy is a broad field of health care, with many areas in which you can apply yourself. I will be in a career where I can use my creativity alongside my clinical knowledge. By choosing medical communications/affairs, my innovative approach to creating health content can shine.
Whether you use art in your career or not, I hope you find something that keeps you imaginative as you navigate the world.