If you think you’re losing the creative game, think again.

It’s easy to play the game of being creative like it’s something to win, but in my experience that will only get you so far. Creativity is less like a game to win, and much more like a game of “Keepy Uppy”.

Keepy Uppy* is a game that goes by many names, in fact, you may have played it without even knowing it had a name.

This game can be played alone or with friends, and the point is to keep a balloon from touching the ground, by gently hitting it up into the air.

Unlike most games, the point of Keepy Uppy isn’t to win, the point of the game is to keep playing. The point is to play in such a way, that you keep the game going for as long as possible.

Making illustration is the same.

It isn’t about getting awards and clients primarily, it’s about seeing if you can crack a decent visual metaphor, again and again, in a decent enough chain to sustain a career and keep your practice in the air.

So I’m trying to be like the golfer in this illustration, unbothered by the loses because he knows that’s not what it’s about. He just wants to play the game.

So take your last place trophies, wreathes and ribbons, set up a mini golf course, and keep the creative ball rolling!

Here’s a post with a link to my latest podcast episode all about how to apply this idea to your creative practice:

*Keepy Uppy is the name they give this balloon game in the kid’s show Bluey - the most watched TV show in 2024. With 154 episodes and still going strong, I’d say this show is a pretty impressive game of Creative Keepy Uppy!