What fuels your creativity?
Thursday, June 25, 2009 - LIFES BIG QUESTIONS
"One ought, everyday at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture and speak a few reasonable words."--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
::photographic_magic by felipe morinThe stack of books that used to consume my bedside table has morphed into a place to collect midnight-snack cereal bowls. I can’t remember the last time I actually listened
to a song. And devoting two hours to a movie feels wasteful. I need that time to strike things off my to-do lists—you know, the ones scribbled on what used to be my art pad.
Sigh. I realize it might be time to re-assess my priorities and follow Goethe’s suggestion.
What will you do today to re-ignite your creative fire?
:: running on empty by @golriz
Creativity starts with the dream, the thought, the problem, the wonder. It is born of audacity. It grows with the deed - what can I do today? It is sculptured by the failures - well, that bit needs throwing away. It is furnished by experience. And now there is a bit that is my future - I wonder what it will teach me about creativity?
I give space and time to think. start the process of gathering related past thoughts and then allow it to sit into my future for a bit...then the creative answers show up. Get quiet.
All I really need is a cup of coffee (green tea works fine too) and a newspaper, or the latest Wired magazine, or Scientific American podcast, or running into a friend for a chat or....Hmmm, come to think of it pretty much EVERYTHING works. Focusing enough to follow-up or actually FINISH one of my "projects" is another matter. (Longer days would help out in that respect!)
Come to think of it the coffee or tea isn't really required either...come with me while I walk the dog...we can talk!
I have somewhat of a bag of tricks when it comes to igniting myself. one technique doesn't always work for me. Ive got a box of books that have changed my perspectives or helped or taught me in someway. A pretty good arsenal of music that consoles or inspires me (I stopped listening to sad angry or negative music about a year ago). Several types of journals that I can pour my heart out into. Sometimes I browse inspiring videos or stories on the web.
Today i spent about 4 hours in barnes and nobles reading some Eckhart Tolle and a book about "life energy" and sampling 20 seconds of songs in the music section. I havent bought a cd in something like 3 years but i liked one so much i bought one today check em out the albums called Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix and the artist is Phoenix.
Right now I'm really into texture. In fact, it has become a joke among friends. I see texture in everything and am on the constant lookout for texture. The surface of a building, the snow, moss, a grate, grasses...anything. I like to photograph texture, paint texture or draw texture.
What will I do today do re-ingnite my creative fire?
Watch Zombieland and light pine needles on fire. i'm influenced by scents for some reason.
Rousing show tunes! Anything that makes me want to slap on a three-finger grin and do a kickline gets me going.
- LIFE's BIG QUESTIONS
- ATTACK A CHALLENGE
When the muse drops that half-funny thought into your skull, write it down.
If friend says something that reminds you of a song you used to like, write it down.
See an odd looking mass of garbage in the bin? Draw it.
Etc,etc.