"We have art in order not to die of the truth."
~ Nietzsche
A friend of mine asked me why I make so much art. Or maybe he asked how I make so much art. The answer to both questions is the same. I make art so I don’t die of reality. (A rather dramatic answer, but if “all the world’s a stage,” I am on theme).
This isn’t the first time in history we’ve have been hit by hard times, but it’s the first time horrific news, often reported unreliably, is in our face as much as it is. And in my lifetime, our country has never been so divided and hostile.
Art in all its forms is where we find refuge and retreat so we can regenerate. Whether we make it or get lost in it, it’s a way of finding order in chaos.
"Art is not escape, but a way of finding order in chaos …
a way of confronting life." -Robert Hayden
Like I said.
Art and writing remove life's harshness and replace it with resilience.
When reality is fodder for art and writing, it doesn’t hurl me into despair as much, although my purse strap still frequently catches the doorknob and yanks me backward as if to say, “Not so fast little missy, your day is going a little too smoothly.”
I wouldn’t literally “die” if I didn’t make art but I’d be a lot less polite. Reality is a source of wondrous, delicious, funny things, other times it sucks.
To escape its severity, we binge on Netflix and French fries, play computer games, over-schedule, fall into the underworlds of social media’s dopamine high and incessantly wipe down the kitchen counter. Those escapes have their place, some offer benefits, but in excess they become hollow rewards.
Creative expression is not always easy. But when you continue painting despite the portrait you’re painting looking more like a turtle than a human, writing even when you think it’s been said better before, or understand that it takes longer than two weeks to play the guitar, you’ll find the skills that you used to persevere spill over into believing in yourself, being more tolerant, and saying “yes” to other things that expand your existence.
Creativity requires, patience, perseverance, resilience, resourcefulness, humor, courage, and an evolving relationship with ourselves in order to triumph over the usual ambiguities, doubts, and failed attempts. So does life. Mastering one assists in making the other easier. Plus, what could be more fun than losing ourselves in creativity?
What's one 30 second step you can take to find a little refuge in creativity and expand your existence on the pleasant side reality?
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to courage.
~Anais Nin
Like I said.
Best wishes,
Jill
Here's some ways to bring more creativity into your reality.
Creative Thought Cards
A deck of illustrated creative thoughts to
program your intentions in the creative direction.
A little bit of humor, art, and a tip from
Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching.
Buy them here
The Nine Modern Day Muse Facilitator Course
Tuesdays at 11 am pacific/ 2pm eastern June 11- August 27, 2024
Learn to facilitate creativity groups, guided by 10 profound creative principles in the guise of nine Muse and a Bodyguard. Experience the playfulness possible in taking creativity to a new level for an additional stream of joy and income. With Terry Way and Rozy Walker.
Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching Training:
June 13- October 3, 2024
Watch for another Wild Abandon Art Class on Zoom through the Athenaeum: June 5-26 Link coming
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