Monday, February 15, 2010

It Really Is All About the Journey


This morning I was thinking about painting – or more specifically the doubt I always feel when painting. Not quite feeling sorry for myself but wondering why it always seemed like such a struggle. I considered some of the painters I admire and envied their years of experience - their confidence. A couple of them paint similar subject matter over and over - they must have it down to a science – maybe even go into auto-pilot and just whip those suckers out. I admit I’ve thought these thoughts before – self-pity mixed with envy – a bad combination. But this morning the lightening struck – epiphany – “auto-pilot” is NOT where any creative person wants to be.

Knowing how to do something is not the best part of the creative process – searching, finding, that’s where the fun comes in – that’s where you find the joy. There is no shame in not knowing how to do something – the shame is in not pursuing the knowledge.

I’ve been on the wrong track thinking there was no need for me to reinvent the wheel. Thinking I’d learn from these experienced artists – I’d pick up a book on mixing color – I’d watch a DVD on painting a landscape – but I didn’t practice – I didn’t conduct my own personal search. There’s the problem! I DO need to reinvent the wheel. I’m pretty sure that every creative person has discovered the wheel in their own way. One can learn from others to a point but you must take your own journey of personal discovery.

After all isn’t the best moment the moment of discovery? That moment when the light comes on and you finally see the answer you’ve been searching for. That golden moment of wonderful - we savor it and then it’s over and we’re off to the next adventure – the next exciting answer. As long as our minds are open and we’re on our quest to figure things out we’re alive inside. That’s what it’s all about.

14 comments:

Jay said...

This looked really cool as a Google Reader bubble. I'll send it to you.

Denise B said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Denise B said...

Hi Chris,
I felt very up-lifted when I read this. I think you're on the right track, and now that you're close to retiring you'll have more time for active pursuit! It reminds me of something Jack London once said: "You can't wait for inspiration; you have to pursue it with a club." Sounds like that's where you are now. Go-go-go!

Susan Roux said...

Well said. I think a lot of artists would agree with you. Enjoy your journey!

Lezlie Fitts said...

Love you girl! Miss you but intend to follow you and keep in touch here :-) This is a wonderful blog....don't spend too much time on other online sites that you neglect this :-)

victoriasart said...

Christie
just found you through FB; your bio sounds a lot like mine except I still work in the community colleges, and retirement is just a word to me. I am pursuing similar things and also have a blog where I ruminate about the journey. I live in Denver, CO; our plein air group will be painting in Taos in mid May; will you be around then? Catch me on FB, my name is Victoria Ekelund.

Lezlie Fitts said...

Hi Chris :-)

I am new to this blogging stuff...and I am trying to find your email address on here but can't seem to for the life of me...I have this TRUCKload of stuff to write to you and it won't fit in one little comment thingy here. Could you send me your email address...pretty please?
Mine is mllepomme@comcast.net.

I miss you.

Lezlie

cassepied said...

And you wrote this BEFORE I sent you my email?? Amazing! Love your blog..

Lezlie Fitts said...

Cassepied...broken foot. Great name :-)

cassepied said...

Thank you Miss Apple

Unknown said...

I've known Cassepied and I always wondered about the name but never enough to ask about the meaning. It means broken foot, really? :o)

cassepied said...

Well it's actually a french idiom meaning pain in the A**...but literally translates to broken foot.

Unknown said...

Meant to say I'd known you for many years....Pain in the a** - that is much funnier and makes much more sense. Not that you're a pain in the a** - but I didn't remember you having a broken foot. :o)

Lezlie Fitts said...

Cassepied qui êtes-vous? Et vous me connaissez? Mlle pomme?