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| This was carved out of a single block of pink marble, I can only imagine the years of concentration that went into this. |
At times we create in a mad flurry of activity, working fast, as it is described being in flow. But more often, we create slowly, focussing on the details, working slowly, make minor changes, improvements. I have read that the Mona Lisa took years to create. It had been paid for, and had to be delivered.
An interesting article linked by Angus in Scotland a few months ago, talks about a shop in Japan that creates tea caddies, boxes to store tea in. They are made one at a time, slowly, all by hand, as close to perfect as can be done. It list three essential steps:
1: Slow down
2: Focus on something worthy
3: Try to get a little better each day.
A great article, a good reminder to focus on developing the craft of creativity. It describes the creative process as an active meditation. When I am painting, I lose track of time, and forget the clutter in my mind.
There is something grounding in the way you describe creativity as a slow practice rather than a burst of inspiration, especially the contrast between sudden flow and the quieter, more patient work that shapes something over time. The reference to those handmade tea caddies fits neatly with that idea, where repetition and care become the point rather than a rush to finish. I like the way painting becomes a kind of mental clearing for you, where time and clutter drop away while attention stays fixed on what is in front of you. That steady approach to improving a little each day feels like the real thread running through it all.
ReplyDeleteI think I have been working for five minutes, and an hour has gone by.
DeleteIf people could just put their phones down they might actually see something.
ReplyDeleteSo true.
DeleteYou do a good job of finding time to do the things that you enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI long have, even when I was working, I would make time to enjoy myself.
DeleteGreat advice and make sense when you think about it. Rushing things never makes sense.
ReplyDeleteThere is an old tune, slow down, we move to fast.
DeleteI really need to do that. I hate having something left undone so I think I push to finish and don't do the craft justice.
ReplyDeleteI recently did a painting three times, to get what I wanted. If I had been more deliberate maybe it would have ony taken one try.
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