The Path of the Artist
The artist is an observer and the creator–someone who has deliberately chosen to withdraw from most levels of participation in the world. The artist takes this stance to free his/her mind from the myriad of distractions that exist in the modern world and on a daily basis that threaten the roots of creativity.
The artist is better able to capture and express what most people take for granted about their lives. Failure to really “see†keeps people asleep to the world around them, especially the time they live in.
Compelled from a very early age to stand back, out of the way, to get a better view of both the mundane and the mysterious, the artist’s mind is free to wander and his/her body is tuned to take in sensual impressions.
Most of us have been brought up to participate, with time off to sleep, eat and distract ourselves with movies, television and other trivial events. Creativity has been given a very small piece in most people’s lives, with the exception of those who are driven and compelled. The rest of us could use a little more of it. Nothing compares with doing art for art’s sake. Let the mind wander. It wants to do this, but we have been trained to keep it under control, with the exception of actual dreaming.
Creative expression is like dreaming, only it takes on a form that can be experienced by another. It is a form of communication.
The best art is usually created with the least limitation of the mind. Fear has a specific place in art—when it is used to bring forth a particular mode of being, not as an inhibitor.
When one’s free time is used to be creative, the mind has been blessed by being allowed to be. When the mind is not given the chance to wander enough, one begins to feel frustration, and the mind will not respond as well to the demands placed on it.
Creativity is rest for the mind. Escapism tires the mind and bores it. Creativity nurtures and feeds the mind.
Art in any form can be used to heal other people and bring joy to their hearts and souls.
