Monday, March 30, 2009

An Artist


credit { fashion-ation }

" I am an artist. I must learn that as an artist my credibility lies with me, God and my work. If I have a poem to write, I need to write that poem - whether it will sell or not. I need to create what wants to be created. I cannot plan a career to unfold in a sensible direction dictated by cash flow and marketing strategies. Those things are fine; but too much attention to them can stifle the artist within.

As an artist I do not need to be rich but I do need to be richly supported. If I don't create I get crabby. When we are not creating, artists are not always very normal or very nice - to ourselves or to others. Creativity is oxygen to our souls. Cutting off our creativity makes us savage and we react like we are being choked.

When well meaning parents and friends push marriage or nine-to-five or anything on us that doesn't evolve in a way that allows for our art to continue, we will react as if we are fighting for our lives - we are. To kill your dreams because they are "irresponsible" is to be irresponsible to yourself. Credibility lies with you and God - not with the vote of your friends and acquaintances.

Creativity is a spiritual practice. It is not something that can be perfected, finished and set aside. It is an ongoing process. Sometimes I will write badly, draw badly, paint badly, preform badly. I have the right to do that to get to the other side. Creativity is its own reward.

To be an artist is to recognize the particular. To appreciate the peculiar. To ask the question 'why'? To be an artist is to acknowledge the astonishing. It is to allow the wrong piece in a room if we like it. It is to hand on to a weird coat that makes us happy. It is to not keep trying to be something that we aren't.

If you are happier writing that not writing, painting than not painting, singing than not singing, acting than not acting, designing than not designing, for God's sake let yourself do it. "

-The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron




Above is an excerpt from one of the books I am reading right now. If you are an artist or want to bring out and develop your creativity this book will prove be a very valuable treasure. I received the extended version as a gift on my birthday and I havent even gotten thru half of it yet. It's not exactly a book you want to finish reading quickly. It's a book you grow with and live out daily. I savor every bit of it. After each chapter there are exersises you can do and questions to get your creativity going. Check it out or go flip through it at your local bookstore. She also has a website.



Design Exercise
I need to practice sketching more and exercise my creativity so here's where your help comes in. Give me topics or things I can use as inspiration (Ex: Flowers, the color yellow, birds of paradise, ballerinas, something from architecture, a country, a certain culture a fairytale, fairies....the list goes on). Then I will pick a few and come up with a few designs based on that, sketch it, and then post it up. =)

7 comments:

  1. Minimal living .....

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  2. I love that excerpt. That alone was totally inspiring.. I should get my hands on the rest of it. I bet it would be great for times when I feel drained and uninspired.

    Thanks for the recommendation, love!

    xx

    V

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  3. This motivates me more. Lately i've been thinking about switching gears with my career decision. I've always been artistic. Went to an arts school, was interested in many different things artistic etc.. but there's always been a fear of "what if" it doesn't work out? People talking in my ears about how my dreams are too big. I know what path I should walk on but this entry has re-ignited the fire. Thanks for posting this hun!

    My suggestion for inspiration: How about a Feline? Like a Cheetah or Lioness? I would love to see what you could create with either cat.

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  4. Valentine: yes its definitely worth picking up =)

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  5. Hey Tasha, there is no such thing as dreaming too big. dont ever let ppl convince you of that. they only say that because it scares them. give yourself the permission to shine bcos you're not doing anyone any good by hiding your potential. I think the book would be perfect for you. It will definitely help you on your creative journey. I havent been more sure of anything =)

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  6. do something with lotus flowers, they are used a lot in tattoo designs and i find them amazing. love the blog very inspirational

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hi luv. speak your mind...whisper your secrets...kiss your words as you blow them into my ears

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