Since my last post before the hiatus, I have more than accomplished what I set out to do. I finished five paintings, the last edits on the manuscript, a trip home and a trip to the Ozarks. Not bad!
I have learned that, for me, writing and painting are both necessary for creative fulfillment. I seem to get more accomplished when I feed both – although not at the same time! It swings like a pendulum and I try to keep up.
My friend and artist, Anita Stephenson, shared a book with me by the well known author and ‘writing guru’, Natalie Goldberg. The book is called “Living Color, A Writer Paints Her World”. Goldberg talks about how she tried to stop painting in order to focus on mastering her first passion – writing. Through the process she discovers how much her writing is assisted by her other creative outlet and that the expression and tools of art help her to see into her writing.
What both of these occupations have in common is the need to observe – one with the eye, the other with the mind’s eye translated into words.
So I have a question for artists and other creatives out there – musicians, writers, performing artists:
Do you have a single creative passion? Or is your creativity fed like the system of a binary star – with two or more ‘feeds’? (Just to clear up what I mean – do you have more than one creative OUTPUT and do they feed each other?)
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So what about this painting? (Hidden, 8×10, acrylic on linen)
This one is of the “White House” in Ufford, Muskoka. Yes, the house in this composition is not white, but I think it is because the porch is missing. The walls above it and all around are white! Ken Veitch grew up in the is house and the story of my visit there is coming up in my book. There is a blog post on the visit from November 2009.
Beautiful! I love your rural series.
Thanks Kristi! 🙂
I must admit that I’ve been having fun with different art! I haven’t the drawing ability for painting, but have had found fun with scavenged materials. My late mother’s Frosty the snowman I keep redecorating by season. It amuses me! But your work is wonderful!
Thanks Jenn! It’s great that you have found an outlet…
I’ve been a painter since 1997. I’ve been a writer all my life!! It’s always been a way I was able to communicate my feelings. I journal. Actually it’s a sketchbook/journal, and that makes it all come together for me. I truly need both writing and painting!
Beautiful piece, Michelle!
Thanks, Jean! Glad to see there are a few of us! 🙂
Creativity for me lies in my business acumen, ability to organize and juggle a ca-zillion things to bring out the best in a situation. Cooking is like an active meditation for me; I zone out like maybe many painters/musicians do. It was a very talented musician friend of my who explained that creativity weaves throughout all aspects of life and is not confined to the arts/music/writing, etc.
Cooking is most definitely an art! Nancy, I think we are all creative in many aspects of our lives, but, there are some things we need to do to feel whole, that go beyond everyday tasks – the thing we MUST do to live!
I love your new painting. I’m so glad your muse is co-operating with you. Me, I find the more visual art I do, the less I write, and vice versa, but it’s only because there is only so much time in the day. What I do need for creativity is getting outside and exploring the world on my own two feet (also time consuming) but that is the input part of creativity.
There are many inputs, aren’t there – both conscious and unconscious. I am not sure that painting and writing are inputs on their own – I think of them as outlets and that the escape from my mind is much better accomplished on both fronts!
I think my question must be badly worded – LOL! I am concerned with the output – where we funnel it out. 🙂
So glad Michelle, that you are enjoying the book! She is amazing. I love your new painting…way to go! I also have to mention that your little book, “Echoes” is just beautiful and very nicely put together!!!
An artist must paint and a writer must write…and some of us must do both.
Good for you!!
Thanks, Anita! There aren’t too many who can paint like you!
You are SWEET!!!
hmmm creative passions…well art and music i guess, which can be tied together in some cases. if i hadn’t of went the artists route, i would be probably doing somethign with music. i loved playing the flute, wouldn’t have one any prizes for it, but still loved playing. helps forget things when you focus on the music. and music can give me ideas for drawings, or really influence the outcome of a piece. if we had more space i would get anotherr instrument, but i don’t think sky would really like the flute :p or a trumpet p
Yes! I know what you mean. I think the flute might be a better choice – more soothing? LOL!
I always have music going when I paint, but as a musician, I’m afraid I am hopeless!