Yes, first the inspiration. I get an idea to explore something or another and then I hook up to wherever this stuff actually comes from and begin the process of downloading words and phrases and sometimes whole pages, courtesy of my muse.

When that is flowing it’s pure bliss. Invariably, however, there are the stops and starts and expectations and what feels like dead ends and then, of course, panic. Gotta have the panic.

Once I get enough of these words and paragraphs and pages I have to do something with them. Unfortunately, my muse is not much of an editor and she doesn’t know how to organize things very well. It’s kind of like she took a box of puzzle pieces and dumped them on the floor and now I now have to arrange them into some coherent form.

AAAARGH!! Frustration, paralysis and more panic. I start the process of picking up those pieces and trying to figure out how they fit together.

It seems impossible. I don’t know why I ever started this stupid project anyway. I keep at it because I am stubborn and compulsive and more than a little crazy. It takes way longer than I want it to.

But then….. the miracle happens. The puzzle pieces come together and make a whole. It’s complete. And it’s not half bad

And then I can’t wait to start the whole damn cycle all over again!

chris Zydels last blog post..PINK BARBIE POOLS, ALIEN SPACE SHIPS AND LIVING A LIFE OF YES!

Oh, well. ::grumbles to self:: So jealous.

As far as how I create… I’m still figuring that one out. Its a work in progress that right now is in the ‘give it a shot’ stage.

And the first thing I thought with “That’ll do” is Shrek (at Donkey). Ha, talk about generation gap.

Hey. Who put that blue paint here?

Notebooks and sketchbooks and files full of photos aren’t that hard to come by. But getting them into the form that is so like what we’ve imagined can be daunting depending on the project, or at times it is like sipping a fine single malt…very smooth.

It seems so funny to talk about creative process. It’s my life. I looked at the responses above. It’s different I think depending on what kind of project it is. Oh, the process from trigger to execution is the same in theory, but we all have signatures, like the marks we make or the words we choose. Being fluent with process, at ease with lateral actions, I think can keep us from just being an echo chamber.
So those little “eccentricities” can also be our strengths. Walking a dog on the levee used to be part of mine. Watching the tugs push the ships up river and down can be meditation on a troublesome piece. Just as spending the night out at Tippitina’s listening to the Nevilles can give your paint a real good rhythm for weeks on end. So part of any creative process worth having, is one that keeps the soul alive.

Janice Cartiers last blog post..Oops, Don’t Panic

Whaddya think? I must have thousands of MWP box-tops I’ve sent in, bonus points all over the place, charter-this and platinum-that…

Still no photos.

Nicole, I just couldn’t tell ya what it takes. Save for the glow-in-the-dark decoder ring, it’s a lot easier target.

Later,

Kelly

Janice Cartiers last blog post..Oops, Don’t Panic

Don’t want creativity? Sure, I can rip out a report on Hockey Tips from Canucks, but it won’t be Wayne Gretzky great. It’ll just be good.

However, I find that when someone says, “Here’s your title and cover these three points,” my brain heaves a sigh because suddenly, it doesn’t have to think up IDEAS. It can focus on thinking how to best say the message. Bit of a catch-22.

So many times it feels as if I just step out of the way and let whatever there is to be said roll on out. I’m not sure whether it’s Inspiration or years of experience talking. I just know that when I just “let ‘er rip” without trying to control the flow and instead just relax and release, the result is always perfect for the project at hand.

As an exhibiting artist this same aspect comes into place in my artwork as well. If I try to make something turn out a certain way, it usually finds its way to the trash heap. If I let go and let it flow, beauty results.

Thanks for putting the creative process in terms so sweetly succinct!