I paint as a way to relax—specifically, I use inks, watercolors and acrylics, to create abstract and mixed media art. I’m self-taught, having accumulated used and new books on drawing, color theory, painting, collage, mixed media, etc. My ‘how to make art’ instruction books, take up two full shelves on the bookshelf. I love sharing my art and talking about making art with other artists; and vacations wouldn’t be complete without devoting some time to strolling through local, art galleries. Even my internet bookmarks are an indicator of my passion for art—it’s astounding the amount of information that is posted by giving and talented artists.
If I was looking at the above-description about someone else I would assume that person had always had a natural love and affinity for making art. Yet, this is not the case for me. As I was growing up, and well into my adult years, I was certain there was NOT a creative bone in my body. I remember in high school art class being mortified to share my drawings, painting, pottery, you name it, with the rest of the class. My clumsy attempts could never compare with those who possessed real artistic talent. Unlike me, they were innately creative.
My first attempt at painting came one summer afternoon in 2007, when a creative, paint-dabbler friend of mine brought her easel, paints and brushes over so we could play outside together. I covered the patio table, and had jars with water and containers ready for mixing paint. I looked at my friend expectantly, and asked, “What do I do now?” She smiled, handed me a paint brush, pointed to the tubes of paint and the canvas on the easel, and suggested I start painting. I said in a worried, slightly infuriated tone, I don’t know how! “So what,” she said, “just have fun.” A quiet explosion happened.
Working creatively is an absorbing experience. We may be completely unaware of time passing and have no conscious thought until we look up and see the stars twinkling outside. By then, we realize that we totally forgot to take sustenance of any kind. In this way, creating is like meditation. This state is often referred to as ‘being in flow’. Since working from a state of flow is not relegated to the arts alone, I would offer that creativity is found in all walks of life. Ever hear of creative accountants? Even the way a person successfully negotiates a sale or finds the solution to a scientific conundrum can feel creatively energizing.
When we finish and look at what we’ve made using our imagination, the feeling can be overwhelming. We stare in wonder at our new creation, be it a poem or book, song, painting, garden or building design. This new thing that never existed before comes from a place unique within our hearts. It bears our personal stamp, like a fingerprint. It is what is true within us.
Achieving this state of concentrated mindfulness is when one feels the most alive. Furthermore, there are multiple avenues of creative expression that are potentially fulfilling. Matthew Fox (2002), author and Episcopal priest, suggests that exercising our creativity is the path to experiencing a joyful life. He states, “…what the artist is experiencing is far more than ‘actualizing one’s own potentialities’—it is experiencing the Divine joy itself.”
Like me, I suspect other souls have lurking, creative monsters within, just waiting to be liberated. Rather than judging those impulses to use your creative imagination as unworthy, untrained or silly; consider that, as Matthew Fox suggests, exercising your creative imagination is your path to true Divine joy. Wouldn’t you agree that finding joy is a truly worthwhile endeavor? If you pay attention to what fires your imagination, you may discover the fuse and light your own explosion. Below are a couple of humble examples of the days I’ve been quietly, absorbed, in the ecstatic state of flow.
The first time I fell in love with one of my paintings – 2007
A recent abstract – 2012
Fox, M. (2002). Creativity: Where the Divine and the Human Meet. New York, NY: Penguin Group, Inc.
10000hourstobe 
lahgitana
/ January 31, 2013I love your story of discovering your creativity; it had always been there and was just waiting to be waved to!
10000hourstobe
/ February 1, 2013Thanks L. It’s funny to remember how afraid I was to make that first mark. Actually, even now when I look at a white canvas, I still feel that momentary flutter of terror–certain the first, tentative stroke will be totally wrong. Just close my eyes, breath and…
lahgitana
/ February 1, 2013I see so many artist technique books that have that statement about That White Blank Canvas! I’ve come to appreciate just scraping some paint onto the canvas and seeing what will happen next! Not planning too much, just with an intention of something-or-other. <:-D
Thank you so much for posting your story PLUS your art!