What Triathlon Training Taught Me About Art

As I sit and write to you this morning, I am in the trenches of creating my next collection. I’m still in the early stages, yesterday I spent the day cutting out images from magazines and pinning them to my cork board (hello early 2000’s!).

I’ve been learning so much about trusting the balance of the creative process. Much like my triathlon training, there are phases: base, build, peak, taper. It’s surprising me how closely this parallels my art practice.

Base phase:

Gathering material, sketching, building colour palettes, studies. This part often feels slow and uneventful, but it’s a key part of the creative ecosystem. Without it, nothing else can grow.

Build:

Creating the collection. This phase often feels euphoric, fast, and spiritual. Suddenly everything pours out of me like a wave crashing on the shore. It’s joyful, difficult, emotional, and rewarding all at the same time.

Peak:

Releasing the collection into the world, seeing the pieces come together in a photoshoot, and finally sharing it. This is the most exciting and rewarding stage for me, not only because of the work itself, but because it’s when I get to connect with you after months of working in solitude.

Taper:

The slow in-between. After the peak, I often retreat into other hobbies like crochet, baking, or pottery. I need that time to reflect and recharge before circling back into the base phase once again.

Creativity isn’t linear. It moves in cycles, just like training or the seasons. Learning to trust each phase has been helping me release pressure, knowing that every quiet start eventually leads to a vibrant peak.

Xx

Sabina