Creativity is born when something calls to you—whether it's a whisper or an Atomic Bomb! I tend to have more whispers. An idea sits quietly in the back of the mind or suddenly springs out of the ether, commanding my attention or, more frequently, my interpretation. We already know or should know; nothing is as it seems. Our minds color everything, willing us to perceive things in the context of previous learning and experience. We call this conditioning, and it is a disease that infects humanity. But the ARTIST is the lucky one. The artist has some ability to perceive beyond self-imposed limitations. A recognition that something is more than meets the eye. An ability to see the tree, the flowers, the roots, and the ecosystem even when looking at bare branches. That germ of an idea grows in shape, form, interpretation, color, meaning, and insightful intention. The goal is not perfection. The goal is the expression, your or my expression, coming out of ourselves, perhaps meaningful to only ourselves. But that is all it needs to be. Sometimes, something we do becomes a great work of art...be it image, music, poetry, or prose. I do not look for greatness. I look for truth and the joy of simply seeing differently. Simple is sublime, even when it is complex. Even in complexity there is simplicity when you can see it. This is the joy of creativity!
What an insightful post Jimm!
"The goal is the expression, your or my expression, coming out of ourselves, perhaps meaningful to only ourselves. But that is all it needs to be."
I really like that! There is so much freedom in creation. For me, there is always a sense of uncertainty and whole host of other feelings. I wonder what it's like for other folks 👀…