Friday, June 28, 2013

Is Creativity A Gift or A Curse?

It's an honest question and one that typically goes without being asked. Is creativity a gift or a curse?

“ Having once found the intensity of art, nothing else that can happen in life can ever again seem as important as the creative process. ” — F. Scott Fitzgerald

I feel that the general consensus would say, " ...of course it's a gift" and not think twice about it. How can it be mistaken for anything else? While the creative people may take some time to debate this question and discuss the pros and cons, they may end up siding with the general consensus.




It's A Curse!

Don't get met wrong, I do believe creativity is a gift, however, there are times when it can seem like a curse. For me, creativity comes flying at me from every direction, at a million miles an hour- even when I don't want to be creative.

I think creativity might be similar to being a medium that communicates with the deceased. They try to connect with you at odd times and when you least expect it. Especially when you just want to be.

As an artist, my mind is constantly working and creating new ideas for creations and new projects all the time. I am serious too, it's really hard to shut down and turn my mind off. There are very few times when my mind is actually switched off.







It's A Gift!

Being creative is a gift!... Right? What am I contemplating? Of course it is!... Right? In all honesty, I do believe that creativity is a gift. However, I all too often hear people say, "I wish I was creative" and "I'm just not that creative".

If it weren't for the creativity of people thinking outside the box, going where most minds can't or won't go, we would have never evolved nor would we continue to advance in life. For all intents and purposes, we could still be hunter and gatherers living in caves. Clearly creativity has been percolating all along. From hunting with your hands and using sticks and stones.  Gradually, man continued to evolve and created bows and arrows, setting traps and eventually developing guns.

The point is, creativity is vital to our lives and our existence. If we didn't come up with new ways to survive, we would have died. Even to this day, scientists are creating new ways to fight disease and developing new technologies which allow us to live longer.


"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." -Pablo Picasso 



I feel that everyone has creativity locked up inside them. However, it may take more effort for some to access their hidden creative talents.

"I'm an idealist. I don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way." -Carl Sandburg

All in all, I am glad I am blessed with this curse... I mean gift!

Well what do you think? Is creativity a gift or Is it a curse? I would love to hear your thoughts.




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Sunday, June 23, 2013

A Quick Update

I know I've been MIA over the past few weeks, so let me catch you up to speed.... I've been busy! :) Likely story right? I know you've heard it before but hey it's true. Between working the day job, working on new/old projects, trying to figure out what to do with my computer situation, trying to help plan a wedding (trying), trying to enjoy life, workout and stay healthy, as well as submitting art o galleries. I've also been working on some art and it's hard to scan a drawing when you don't have a computer.

Anyway, enough bitching- Here is a sneak peek look at one of the drawings I've been working on. This was taken with my ipod touch, so the quality is low but no scanning necessary!



I'm not sure if you new this but I love chess and I have been wanting to work on a new chess related drawing. I had some left over paper and decided to go for it.

I will continue to take photos and update you on the progress!

That's it for now, I am tired!

Cheers!

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Staying Healthy - Mind, Body, & Soul Part-1

Part-1 The Mind

Staying Healthy is vital to the success of being great at anything and everything you do. I feel that being healthy is so important and is a pivotal link between happy and unhappy people. A topic of this magnitude cannot be answered in one blog post therefore I will be breaking this up into three sections- Mind, Body, & Soul. 


If you want to be a great artist or great at everything and anything you do in life, you need to be healthy. By keeping your Mind clear, your Body in shape/well nourished, and your Soul free of bad vibes/negativity. By doing so,  you will allow yourself  the opportunity to succeed in life.

Think of yourself like the engine of a car (every once in a while you need to have repairs done), by taking care of these three things, you will allow yourself to perform at a high level and your body will be able to fire on all cylinders.

I have found that living a healthy lifestyle (eating well, working out, taking breaks away from art and enjoying life) makes me a better artist. Life is all about balance.
Wise man that Robert Fulghum is.

For a good read, check out Mr. Fulghum's Book "All I Really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten" here:

Keeping My Mind Right

About two years ago I started making small changes in my day-to-day life. Small changes eventually work their way up to being big changes. It all starts with baby steps. We all live busy lives and changing or doing something seems like such a giant task. If I were to say I wanted to create 52 or more drawings every year, I probably would try and then loose focus and never finish that goal.  That is why I started a One A week Art Project- inspired by the TwinGeekz Art Project.

Every week I have one goal, to create and post a piece of art for my One A week Art Project which is due on Sunday or in some rare cases Monday. :) This small incremental deadline keeps me focused each week to create something new every week. Thus, at the end of 52 weeks, I have 52 pieces of new art!

Like I said above, We all live busy lives- Really. Busy. Lives. But that's no excuse to avoid doing what you love and staying healthy.

Taking Breaks

I don't know about you but I love being in my studio... I LOVE IT! I love being so isolated from everything in the world so that I can allow my mind to expand, get lost, and create masterpiece after masterpiece... or at least try! :)

That said, even I know when to take a break!

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once and a while, you could miss it."
--  Ferris Bueller (Ferris Bueller's Day Off)
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Did I mention that I was a movie buff? Because I am and you will find me quoting a few movies every now and again. Have you ever seen Ferris Bueller's Day Off? If you haven't, it's a classic and I highly recommend it!





Aside from watching movies you can:

  • Go for a walk, hike, bike or run
  • Read a book
  • Play a game
  • Go to the beach
  • Hang out with friends or family
  • Meditate (I would like to start doing this)
  • Take a nap(I would also like to start doing this)

and the list goes on.

Can you think of any others? Leave a comment with things or ideas you do when taking a break from your routine.



Here are a few books to help expand your mind.


      


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Amazon will give me a few pennies from every purchase which helps pay for the blog.

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Cheers!