Tuesday, November 15, 2011

The Art of Thinking...

I think most artists who make a living (or try to make a living) off of their own work encounter, from time to time, the profound sense of not being able to produce enough and that Time is against their creative process.  There's a great post that articulates these feelings on the Sparrow Salvage blog that you might want to check out HERE.

For me, it's no different.  I have a million ideas and a sense of expectation from these artistic ambitions.  I often times have to table these creative pursuits in favor of the everyday demands that rear their head.  Now that there's the Gallery, there are even more demands on my schedule.  Cynthia Deis, owner of Ornamentea, offered up some great advice to those seeking to start their own store.  She left it as a reply to an excellent series of posts that Jennifer Jangles wrote not too long ago on the Art Bead Scene blog.  Basically she said:  It's hard to juggle customer demands and creative work.  It's important to make time to handle business and creative activities you don't want to be interrupted away from.


In times like these, where I feel as though I've lost my footing and am far from being centered, it's important to remember to take time to think and "tinker" as Penny puts it.  It's important to make uninterrupted time to think and to make and do things that are good not just for the business, but for the creative soul.  I have to remember that to be a better artist, business person and all-around human-being – I have to not underestimate the value of thinking.  The very act of thinking and communing with the Muses is a powerful act of creation.  It's the construction of the foundation for any artistic act.

8 comments:

Alice said...

Wise words, Andrew! I read or heard somewhere that the mind needs down time in order to sift out all the unnecessary stuff, file the good stuff, and recharge. This is usually when all the ideas pop into our heads (when we are resting, just nodding off, or just before waking). So having some 'unproductive' time is a good thing. It's when our creative juices get flowing.

SummersStudio said...

Ah, yes, I have recently gone through this 'thinking' and felt quite badly that I was not being productive. But there is great value in letting the thinking happen because it keeps you evolving. I also read the Sparrow Salvage post and found it enlightening.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful that you are "cleaning house" now, and re-centering. You remind me that it is a ritual we all need spiritually, periodically.

I too struggle w/ the business of my art. Public appearance forces me to show balance. While I by no means have it down; what helps me manage my bands & still keep writing new music- is scheduling downtime. Whether you fill it by thinking as you say, creating, meditating, or vegitating- You are creating a space for the Muses. Self-renewel happens there too.

It's so great to hear your heart-filled thoughts again; what a gift to us. Holler if there is anything i can help you with.

Noemi said...

Nicely said.
Thanks for those links that may come useful when everything overwhelms you and you don't know where to start.

Kathleen Lange Klik said...

Great post Andrew! I have been struggling with time and creativity, trying to create while tending to daily life. It seems that something always comes up to pull me away from my bead table and I end up feeling unproductive. I try to spend any spare moments creating, especially with a show and the holiday season coming up. But creativity can't be rushed or forced, it just happens by experiencing life and being inspired by it! Thank you for the link to Sparrow Salvage-her post really helped put things into perspective.

somethingunique said...

Hey Andrew, thanks fo sharing this valuable info...i have too many ideas and have trouble focacing on one thought and too many components LOL...i love so many differents types of styles it's hard to find one i like the best.
take care & have a great day ttfn Lana ;)

TesoriTrovati said...

I go through these same peaks and valleys. That is why I started my Challenge of Color. I needed a way out of my rut, and figured that others did as well. And I would still do it even if no one else played along as it shifts gears for me and challenges me to see all those things that have potential right in front of me. I will hop over to read Sparrow Salvage's take on all this. Thank you for sharing your insights as well.
Enjoy the day!
Erin

Third Eye Gypsy said...

I think you totally just read my mind! I do feel like I have so much to create and so little time to do all of it!

I totally agree with Alice. I find that I get the most peaceful and artistic thoughts while my mind is restful :)