The ‘Type A’ Gremlin

How to Survive in New York, according to Chip

“You only survive here if you’re creative AND type A” he said to me through tipsy laced lips. I’m a sober gremlin and so the words marinated in me differently. He went by the name of Chip. Chip is a seasoned New Yorker - he came up through the NY AIDS epidemic in the 80’s, and carried a locker of well worn anecdotes about the Dylans, Warhols and Patti Smiths of his era. Chip spoke of his friend’s recent passing with such non attachment that I could tell he’s become familiar with saying goodbye to creatives taken too soon - I listened even more intently. 

No but “Patti Smith, Warhol, Joni Mitchell can’t be type A” I thought. “The freedom, the out of place hair and the skinny hipped stance” is so… not Type A?

And so I turned to Google. According to the bots type A Personality trades include:

• Achievement-oriented

• Competitive

• Fast-paced

• Impatient

And that’s when I saw the above people differently. I’ve read that Patti Smith wakes at 05:30am to write EVERY moring, and Warhol collected 600 boxes of memorabilia in his life. I’ve always thought of being Type A as the opposite to an artist - an overly controlling negative trait. However, perhaps when combined with creativity, the two traits balance each other well.

It’s a small and simple sentiment. ‘Type A AND creative.’ Those are the only people who survive in NY. If you’re just Type A, you run the risk of becoming an assh*ole, and if you’re just creative, you’ll end up broke. But if you can be quick and creative then you may just make it out of alive and more you.

Where I’ve been - NYC

This week, I’ve been based in New York on an artist residency for Bergdorf Goodman. I and three other artists have been working in store sharing our work. 

It feels good to be back in NY, to absorb the American ‘can-do’ spirit, and to reignite with the part of me that is unafraid to be soulful, honest and open. 

Till next time you beautiful beast.

K X