Hi,
I am a visual poet, so my work is hybrid (and most of my income from creative practice is through illustration/commissions which don't always reflect my personal interests, although that world is converging a little at the moment).
In terms of commercial poetry/art, there's a whole business angle to it (promotion, intellectual property law, freelancing culture) that I have learned.
In terms of craft - technical expertise - my involvement with poetry has taught me to listen, to be able to 'read' poetry through lenses/technical perspectives and to unpick them (although I am still not the best at this).
In terms of critical awareness and the ability to understand my own shortcomings and 'take' critique, then working on poetry as part of a wider community has been invaluable.
I think that being a poet or an artist is not a cultural trope, but a vocation. And probably a vocation regardless of whether it is your main source of income or not. But I also know that the more I feel secure about my knowledge, the less I actually 'know'.
Thank you for asking such a great question. Oh, I hope so much that this thread gets many answers. I'd love to know what others' think.
Sarah-Jane
|