Recently I learned a new word that has a lot of meaning for me, the word is "MULTIPOTENTIALITE." It refers to a person who has many and varied interests.  Unless supported on  how to manage this, the person may feel as though they are torn in different directions, unable to accomplish any one goal (Jack of All Trades-Master of None). And before you go there, this is not the same as ADD. "Multipods" can focus for long periods of time on a project, it's just that there are so many! I used to think this was a curse, never being able to follow something to the end because every other project was begging for attention. Now I see it as a richness and a sort of rebellion against the specialization that the world seems to be so enamored of these days and I'm learning how to manage it. 

In my life I have had (and still do have) lots of different interests such as collecting insects, specifically moths; Tango and its fascinating history; jumping horses; rodeo (my then husband was a bull rider); flying airplanes; cultural anthropology (my degree); growing orchids; breeding and showing my dogs and cat; photography (college courses again); and a bit of chemistry which ties into the photography (called photomicrography). Recently, with the help of my sister Deb Thomas, I have taken up weaving. 

Even though some of my interests may seem unrelated, for me it is art that is at the juncture of those interests and it is what binds them all together.  If you look at my website you will see that it has many different groups with many different media and subject matter. As I go through life and accumulate experiences and friends my tendencies are to put them on paper, canvas or clay. It is my way of remembering, and thank heavens it is a richly diverse life. I work in oils, pastel, graphite, carbon dust, clay, and gouache, whatever medium the subject begs. The subject matter has a wide range. Gallerists disapprove of this, they want to be able to show a cohesive work by an artist that collectors can rely on to be recognizable, you can see my problem.  With the help of this group, I don't feel so alone and loose rooted. I feel supported, so I will get there eventually, pleasing both gallerists and myself!

If you would like to learn more about Multipotentialites go to ThePuttyverse.com and Emilie Wapnick.