Taking part in creative hobbies like knitting or theatre offer significant benefits for mental well-being and professional development. These activities act as an outlet for stress reduction. They also enhance problem-solving skills, encourage innovative thinking, qualities highly valued in any workplace. Ultimately, dedicating time to creative hobbies not only nurtures mental health, but also translates to more well-rounded, adaptable, and effective employees. That is why this month’s Company Spotlight is shining a light on DiRADians who enjoy creative hobbies.
What hobbies encourage you to show your creativity?
Sam B: Since becoming a part of the DiRAD team, I have started hand knitting blankets and learning new recipes to make for my husband.
Marissa L: I am an actor/theater director. I also make costumes, props etc. for a lot of different theaters in the area.
Noah C: My creative activities go back and forth between recreation and career quite often. I am a graphic designer/ digital illustrator, I sell prints and do both commercial and personal commissions. However, I also love to paint, use charcoal, photography, and even play creative games like Minecraft and Lego Fortnite just for fun. I’ve even dabbled into model making like building Gundams.
Kirsten B: Recently, I’ve been writing pen pals, journaling, and coloring using alcohol-based markers.
What about that hobby interests you? What’s your favorite thing about it?
SB: My favorite thing about these hobbies is that you get to make something out of nothing and then you get to share what you’ve created with your loved ones. It feels good to be able to give.
ML: I love getting to meet new people and have the opportunity to bring different creative visions to life. My theater company fosters a very diverse and inclusive community and there have been many people I’ve gotten to work with over the years that have been able to find a chosen family through theater. It makes me so happy to be part of such an accepting and loving community.
NC: What really interests me about being creative is the process. Being able to explore an idea, and coming up with solutions for each step of the process. The final result can vary, but being able to share it with other people can also be very rewarding. With creative games, and artistic collaborations, the process of working with a friend on something you can both be proud of is also really exciting.
KB: The world is such an amazing place. You find you have this niche hobby, but you can connect with like-minded people using social media. My hobbies allow me to shut screens and mind off. When it comes to pen pals, I’ve been able to connect with like-minded people from across the country, sharing stories about life while supporting the USPS.
How did you get involved in it?
SB: I got involved with the hobby of hand knitting blankets by pure luck, it all started with a curiosity of learning how to net and then I stumble upon hand knitting and that’s how this story begins. I watched many YouTube videos on how to do it. I got the thick chunky yarn, and I made my first blanket and then from there, I continued making more blankets with different patterns and different colors. And it just makes the time go by and I get to see my hard work and reward at the end of making a blanket.
ML: I’ve been involved in theater since high school. It all started with a small group of my friends that wanted to get into cosplays and anime conventions (yes I’m a huge nerd I know). My friends and I would make our own costumes from whatever we had in our closets or could find at a thrift store. As we got older we started making our costumes out of actually good materials and would go to local conventions. I met my husband at a local convention that isn’t around anymore and he was an actor who was heavily involved in the theater community at the time. He introduced me to a theater in Albany called Confetti Stage Inc. and since then I have been involved in almost every production they have put on since 2017. I am not Vice President of the company and I absolutely love it.
NC: As a kid, I was around art a lot. My uncle had a fine art collection in his home, and my dad took me to museums throughout my entire childhood. In fact we still make it a point to visit museums to this day. I then did art through grade school, then went to college to get my BFA in Graphic Design. Today, I am more so an illustrator. I sell my work at comic cons and on my website. I do commissions, and even have a few magazine publications with my artwork in it. Playing creative games just came naturally as a gamer.
KB: I wanted something I could do that would get me away from the screen. This year, I tried to find a way to declutter without being wasteful. That’s where Junk Journaling came in. I can use everyday items to create art that helps me express my feelings.
Do you have a favorite thing you like to do in that hobby? (Ex. a favorite item to knit, a favorite play, or a favorite type of writing, etc.)
SB: My favorite thing to do with this hobby is to hand-knit blankets at this time, but there are many more things that you can do with hand knitting you can make purses, stuffed animals, scarves, hats, anything you can imagine.
ML: I love directing. Acting is fun too but directing is the best fit for me. I love taking different works and bringing the author’s visions to life, especially when it is a new work that has not been done before. It’s a very creative and collaborative process and I love being able to work with the local writers directly.
NC: My favorite thing to do has to be my free illustrations and paintings. The ones where I only focus on color theory, shape, direction, and composition. These are pieces where I do not have to worry about subject matter. I don’t have to make it look like anything I’ve seen before. It does not have to be grounded in reality. It can just be about exploration of the medium. Typically, I do this with digital paint software like Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator, Procreate for iPad, or Clip Studio. However, I can’t wait to try what I have been doing with digital media, with physical media (oil paints, charcoals, ink etc).
KB: I like the idea that the art I create isn’t perfect, but it’s just for me to see, to look back on, and to see how I’ve changed/developed as a person.
What do you wish more people knew about your hobby?
SB: I wish more people knew about this hobby not only because it’s fun, but it’s also very peaceful and calming. If you’re having a hard day and you start handing all of a sudden, all your worries melt away!
ML: It’s for all levels of skill! We are always looking for new actors, directors, stage managers, etc. and every year from August – October we host a short play festival that is designed to get people new to theater involved.
NC: I wish more people knew how much more important the process of creativity can be, than the actual result. Though, admittedly due to my career choices it’s hard for me not to be critical of my work. The works where I have the most fun doing, are usually my favorite pieces. I think people get trapped into what art needs to look like, so they give up on it entirely. When in reality, you can be creative, and make something you’re proud of, without being a master artist.
KB: Art is never perfect but always personal.
If someone is curious about your hobby and wants to give it a try, where should they start? What should they know ahead of time?
SB: If someone is curious about starting hand knitting, I would highly recommend going to get some cheap thick yarn. Don’t buy a lot at first just maybe one small and then watch a lot of YouTube videos and then find the one that works for you. Practice makes perfect! And PS I’m currently making my own vanilla extract, which takes about 6 to 8 months!
ML: They can message me directly or check out my company’s website confettistage.org the most important thing to know in advance is to keep putting yourself out there. Not every role is a good fit for every person but there are always small ways you can be involved even if you don’t want to act or direct. You won’t get cast in every show you audition for but the Capital Region has such a rich community filled with different local theaters that there is always a role out there for someone, and we are always looking for volunteers to help with different aspects of the production from acting and directing to costumes and concessions.
NC: First off, I’d say start with whatever looks the most fun for you. It may end up being really challenging at first. But the more time you put into it, the more you end up getting out of it.
Also, you may not love every medium you try. Maybe you want to paint with oils, but you hate how long it takes to dry, so you switch to acrylic. Or maybe that pottery class wasn’t for you, but you might have some fun messing around with clay. Or maybe physical art is just too messy for you, and you want more control so you switch to digital. Theres so many things to explore. I also really encourage people to try creative games. Minecraft and Lego Fortnite are two very accessible games that are meant for all ages.
KB: Social media is a great place to start – so many different communities for hobbies you never would have considered. Always, always know that no matter what you start, you are a beginner; do not try to be like those who are experts. You will get there if you find it’s something you love.