LOVE, PASSION AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS
Creativity is the essence of the human spirit. Creativity is inherent in all of us. When we create, we give life to something new. And while artists may differ in their approach to making art, I personally like to be spontaneous and expressive; imaginative and intuitive. I like that because that leaves space for the unexpected, the mystical, the extraordinary to occur or materialize. In other words, I may have my own agenda for drawing or painting something, but if during the process, I am inwardly being pulled in another direction, I have learned to yield to that creative force within me. It is pulling me in a different direction for a reason - either it has something to reveal to me - something long hidden that needs to come to light; or, some universal truth that seeks expression.
Now, love and passion each has a role to play in the creative process. For me, passion’s role is to ignite the creative spark within me. In fact, when I am excited by something that I want to paint, my passion fans the creative spark within and I feel alive again. I cannot wait to get started. I feel energized and radiate that energy; because I never feel more alive than when I am filled with passion.
Passion is my open invitation to dance. Whether I accept that invitation and fly to the dance is dependent on whether or not, I want to open myself to love.
Love’s role in the creative process is to transform our idea into something tangible. Something we can see and feel. Say my passion for wanting to paint an image I had in mind brought me face to face with the canvas and I start to paint. Should I become excited or intrigued by what is taking shape, I’ll stay and continue the dance. If not, I will end it right there and then. However, if it catches my interest and I stay with it, pour love into it, then I’ll spend hours on it and see it through – to the end.
There have been times when I have stayed and struggled with a painting for a day and a night. I stay with it because although it may be giving me a hard time, I am loving it too. And in some weird way, when you suffer through something, you feel love for it even more. That is why love is crucial to the creative process. Love compels us to not only give life to our creation but to sustain it, and thus bring it to life. All you have to do, is trust your love for it and it’s love for you. You develop that trust and you both let go. The creative force will do what it’s supposed to: namely, breathe life into your creation. The results are a wonder to behold.
Can you put your ego aside and let the creative energy move through you? You need to have a childlike faith to be able to trust that much. Some artists find that very hard to do. Most are more comfortable with having more control over their work. I paint or draw what I feel. I face the blank canvas and just let the force take me wherever it may. I may have my own agenda; however, it has its own, and I rather go with the force than not. It’s just so much better when I do. And I’m not afraid of it. It has become my best friend and ally. One that never ceases to surprise or amaze.
When I find myself struggling too much during the creative process, then I know that it’s either because I am less clear about what I want to express or because I am not willing to give up the struggle and yield to it. By then it’s one big mess and I just have to throw it out. Not unlike a bad relationship. But I also feel it’s important to explore that. And with art you can. Let the creative force within you show you the way. It will take you to a very sacred place. Right in the heart and eye of your soul. Right into the deepest and sometimes darkest parts of you. You may not like what you see. It may not be a pretty picture. It will take a lot of courage for you to go there. However, you as the artist have to own those dark places within you and honour them, because they teach you things about yourself. Facing them is how you learn and grow. It takes faith and courage to face our demons. But it has been said: the inner journey is the only journey worth taking. Trust me in this. You will find your treasure. You will find your Mona Lisa. First, you must conquer your fears and don’t allow your ego to get in the way. This is what I do each time I fall passionately in love with my creation.
To summarize, with love and passion, we can take our creative ideas and through the power of the creative force within us, transform them into something tangible. We just have to trust, and let it happen. With passion it can and it will, once we open ourselves to love.
Maria Tzanis