Working Outside the Lines

Every once in awhile I end up in a conversation with someone that asks what I do. Then I respond with "I'm an artist." Sometimes I add the "and a textile designer". For some reason, I get a little choked up with the artist title because the next question out the other person's mouth is "What kind of art do you do?" or "What is your medium?" I respond, "I'm a fractal artist." Oh "I've never heard that" or as one guy said several weeks ago (trying to tell someone else) "You try to figure out what you're looking at". WTF?!!!!! No, that's not what fractals are. Anyway, I shared my pitch about fractals but also interjected by saying "I also paint."

Which brings me to the need for this post. I HATE being confined. Whether physically, mentally, emotionally, metaphorically, whatever.  It is suffocating. And I guess I have a little panic when someone inquires about the type of art I do. I feel like I have to give one answer when in actuality I make what I make. For now, my website acknowledges me as a fractal artist, abstract artist, surface designer, and photographer. I know that seems a lot already, but I do much more than that. I follow the beat of my own drum and go with what makes my heart content at the moment. So, you might see drawings, figurative paintings, collage, poetry, or whatever I decide to create under the sun or moon. That's just how I roll. Whew! I felt like I completed a confessional. I feel so much better now. 

Ok, but to you fellow artists/creative/entrepreneurs, I have some questions for you. How do you explain yourself to others about what you do when you do more than one thing? Do you find yourself wanting to justify your actions and work? How do you thrive in business when so many strategies/business/marketing tools say FOCUS and gear toward your target audience or pick one thing?