“Without the time and effort invested in getting ready to create, you can be hit by the thunderbolt and it’ll just leave you stunned.”
There’s been a lot research into what creativity is in recent years.
Presumably it’s an attempt to understand where creativity comes from, so that we can make ourselves more creative.
I’m not a professor of an illustrious university. I’m not a researcher or a well known author.
But I think I have an idea how to help you become more creative:
Are you ready?
Show up and practice.
Every day.
Whether you feel like it or not.
I hope that’s not too disappointing. I also hope it doesn’t sound glib. I mean it sincerely and I really want to help you by passing on what I manage to glean from my own work in the trenches.
I really do believe that this idea will not only enhance your creativity, but rescue your artistic self esteem, help you through procrastination and eventually help you become the artist you know you have inside you, if you could only find a way to bring her out.
I don’t expect everyone to agree with me.
Truth be told, I expect most people to disagree. The idea of the mysterious and unfathomable creative muse allowing us privileged glimpses into a higher realm is deeply entrenched in our cultural identity.
It would be lovely if it were true, but it’s a fairy tale.
If you’re not convinced, please watch this short video. Let me try to give you something that I think will work far more effectively for you than the traditional, Romantic idea of being touched by the muse.
Something that really will help you be more creative in everything you do.
Best wishes,
Paul
Posted: September 24th 2013
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You read my mind! Thank you for the article!:)
Wonderful as usual! How do you keep all the drawings, etc, organized so well? Do you keep in a book? a box? etc?
Paul, I know exactly what you are talking about and I found repeated practice is transforming and they way you see your subject.
I love Lillis and are wonderful subjects to draw and paint. I have taken numerous photograph of them. Next time I purchase them I will definitely draw them and then we can share notes.
Thank you for your post.
Helga
The video is helpful and easy to understand. I never did regular practice or repeated drawings until recently and my work is improving immensely! I find that the study of negative spaces has helped me to put in less detail until I need it. Thanks so much for the help!
Hi Paul,
I couldn’t agree more, the Chuck Close quote comes to mind
“Every idea occurs while you are working. If you are sitting around waiting for inspiration, you could sit there forever.â€
Good work on the Video
Thanks
Good habit, good idea.Thanks for charing.
Judy, I have to admit, I don’t really keep them organised. I have them in a big stack in the corner of the room, I had to dig through them all to find these!
Love that quote John
Let’s do that Helga! I have a feeling you’ll make a lovely job of them. They’re very architectural, they lend themselves to designs very willingly.
Thank you Paul for sharing that video clip,its very helpful and inspiring to see your working habit.Thank you again.
Thanks Aras, I’m glad it was helpful.