What I learned about creativity and community - From Buenos Aires to New York City

I cannot think of creativity without thinking of community. And whenever I think about what living a more creative life means to me, the first thought that comes to mind is that of my tribe.

My constantly inspiring, artistic, chosen family scattered between New York City and Buenos Aires, is composed of self-made women and men between the ages of 24 to 82 years old, who for me seem to have one thing in common: they all live with purpose.
Designers, musicians, makers, performers, healers, photographers, filmmakers...each one of them, at one point or another, took a leap of faith. And isn’t that something?
Well, it’s definitely something for this born-and-raised Argentinean who as a little girl dreamed of the art world, saving the planet, and living in the Big Apple.

Courtesy of Natalia Martinez Sagan.

It was at my parent’s house in a suburb of Buenos Aires that I became obsessed with ecology when I was 9 years old. Every Sunday morning, I would go next door to my uncle’s house and cut out every single article regarding global warming, wild animals, or recycling there was in the newspaper. My other ‘hobbies’ at the time were dancing, and religiously watching ArtAttack, this wonderful British show where Neil, the host, taught you to make masks with homemade paper mache, or medieval castles out of toilet paper rolls. And mom and dad, as always, were there encouraging and supporting every one of my creative/ecological adventures. They were my first introduction to what ‘community’ meant.

"I cannot think of creativity without thinking of community. "

Flash forward many years later I found myself wanting to professionally combine these two great passions of mine: art and environmentalism, but I didn’t know where to start. My interests were varied and didn’t seem to relate to one another. I wasn’t sure if I was going to beable to make a living out of all this. I had no reference of someone doing similar work locally, so I didn’t know who to ask...and oh, boy! I had so many questions.
In a yellow-brick-road-like-journey, those questions led me to meet one of my beloved mentors, Marcelo Sycz, who in our first meeting at his costume studio said to me: ‘You will have to craft your own path. And I will help you’. Those last 5 words did the job.

Courtesy of Natalia Martinez Sagan.

From that moment on until this day, every single step I have taken on that road has brought me closer to my creative tribe. A path paved with helpful hands, generous support, meaningful interactions, and limitless inspiration.

"Eventually, your tribe will find you."

But what is this tribe she’s talking about? You might be asking yourself, dear reader. Well, I cannot speak for others but I can tell you that mine is formed by:

Those who embrace what makes them unique.
Those who defy conventions (and expectations).
Those who use fear as fuel to create.
Those who encourage others to share their talent.
Those who live in awe.
Those who challenge others to be better.
Those who don’t conform.
Those who live with their hearts in their hands.
Those who acknowledge the power of vulnerability.
Those who inspire others.
Those are the kind of humans I want to hang out with every day until the very last day. The dreamers, but above all, the doers.

So if you haven’t yet but want to find your group of kindred spirits, go out there and start sharing your story with those who resonate with you.
Eventually, your tribe will find you.

Written by Natalia Martinez Sagan

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