Is It Motivation or The Muse?

A month ago I wrote a post about Repetition: How do you know it isn't a bad habit?  In a way I was skirting around a deeper topic - does your creativity evolve through conscious work or does it flow through you from a subconscious source?

As an artist I have experienced both sources of inspiration - and the flip side, that of finding myself burned out because of workaholic ambition, and passively depressed due to the absence of an internal muse.

I find the subject fascinating.

If I had my back against the wall and threatened with bodily harm I would tell you that I do believe there is God/Creator force responsible for the highest and greatest moments of my creativity.  I also believe that you must be ready for the muse when he or she appears, and that often means things like "repetition" and "showing up regularly" or whatever catch phrase works for you.  

And this, in spite of what life throws at you.

For instance, in August, within a two week period, I learned my youngest daughter has cancer, I lost my job, and I received a notice of acceptance into the OPA Western Regional - one of those goals I'd set for myself with the "safety net" of believing I would never get in.  The only thing missing was "the dog just ate the painting you accepted."

Now if that isn't life telling you that you aren't really in control I don't know what is. 

One of the advantages of age is that you can step back a bit and keep things in perspective.  My daughter has one of the most curable forms of cancer, although the treatment is devastating.  But if she can shave off her hair rather than see it fall out in bits then I guess I can take the loss of a job as an inconvenience that allows for more studio time.  And that OPA acceptance - I am thrilled, and honored, no doubt about it.  My ego is frustrated because I'm not dancing around the studio.  But I'm not paralyzed by achieving this Peak of the Mountain goal, either.  I was the 1 in 10 this time.  Next time it will be another deserving artist.  If the muse came to me and I was faithful in my efforts to communicate what was communicated to me, she will return again and again.  My job is to show up.  And to be courageous.

I've been reading quite a few blog posts recently about this idea of Muse as expressed by Elizabeth Gilbert in her 2009 TED talk.  That this subject is again heating up the internet may have a lot to do with the economic situation and the difficulty so many creatives have in digging deep for their inspirations in the face of apathy.  But it's worthwhile to continue the discussion.

The Lateral Action blog has a post by Matt Cardin, which is one of the more insightful discussions on the muse/genius debate.  And if you read the comments on the "repetition" post, you might have seen one submitted by "David" talking about "Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience" by Dr Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.  I went looking for more information and found another interesting article from Lateral Action by Justine Musk that discusses this idea of "being in the flow" and how it affects creativity.

Let me know what you think.  Join the discussion by commenting to this post. 

Comments

[New Balance 574]

Your write-up is fantastic. It is essentially extraordinary to me. I like it greatly and I hope to determine you additional content articles.

[sue smith]

Thank you all for your positive words of support for my daughter. She's doing well so far.

Fiona - thank you for reminding me about the War of Art book - I will need to re-read it.

[Sherry]

Whew - I hadn't checked here in a couple months, and then this. You are facing some real challenges. Still, I admire your attitude and send you positive thoughts for strength and continued creative life.

[Fiona Purdy]

Check out Steven Pressfield's book "The War of Art" for his thought provoking take on our creativity, where it comes from, Muses, and the Resistance - the "thing" that stops so many if us from reaching our full potential". I promise you will never feel the same again and will view the entire human race differently. (it's not a heavy book and you will get a few laughs out of it)

[Lori Landis]

I'm so in agreement with you. Are thoughts half empty or full? I really enjoy your blog when the heavy issues are nipping at our heels. Sometimes when things happen you are moving to a deeper level.

[TracyWall]

Ditto previous responses about Gilbert's talk on TED.I agree there's a muse to follow and catch when she appears, but if your creative muscles aren't flexed and in shape when she does, you may wave her on by. I believe that consistent work helps you take better advantage when those creative moments appear.

My goodness, you've had a lot to swallow. Our thoughts are with you and yours!
:)

[Fi]

I too thought Elizabeth Gilbert's TED talk was quite exceptional.

So 'does your creativity evolve through conscious work or does it flow through you from a subconscious source?'

My answer is both. I think you have to show up and give the creativity a space to exist (that's the conscious work part) and then it can flow.

However, I find that when I am off centre (the flow is blocked due to me being upset in another part of my life) there is no point in me trying to produce a finished work as
it always ends up in the bin - a waste of materials.

That time for me is better spent still showing up, but concentrating on concept sketches or tinkering with new materials or similar.

The trick is knowing when the flow is not going to happen and when the possibility is there.

[Jul]

I loved Elizabeth Gilbert's TED talk, too. It helped inspire my blog's name.

And my main goal these days is to show up at the easel, no matter what life throws at me. So far, it's working.

Best wishes to your daughter for a quick and easy recovery.