In my experience, two things people frequently want to know about a work of art, whether a poem, song, painting, drawing, photo, movie, or play are
1. How the artist was inspired to come up with the idea, and
2. Why she or he went forward to create it.
First, let me ask you: Why do you think people paint, write, compose music, write songs, sculpt, dance, blog, etc.? If you're a creative, why do you do the creative things you do?
Here's my short answer (and I'm really curious about yours): As a writer and artist, I create for a number of reasons, some of which I've explained here in the past. Beyond that, I write and add photos here not so much to show where I've been or what I've done, but
to communicate with people I care about what I've experienced, what the experiences have taught me, how I've grown or still need to grow, and what I've learned.
Through stories and images, I try to add to the balance of insight and meaning in our world. I hope this helps readers connect with me, and me with them, and that it makes me a better communicator, helping me to be better for relationships with people I've known for years and with the folks I meet here and there in my travels.
But more about you. Let me probe a little further: What inspires you to share the things you share with the people in your world? See if you can describe a specific example.
I've written to the important things in my life, and experiences that I hoped would help other people and encourage them.
ReplyDeleteWhat inspires me? Water, the breeze on my cheek, the wind rustling through the trees. I seek things that God has created and others cannot take away from me.
I've grown the past year having taken a break from writing. I don't regret it.
I'm ready for my new journey.
Godspeed.
Joey
Thank you, Joey. I hope others will read what you've written here and will add to the conversation. I'm especially moved by your words, "...and others cannot take away from me." It's true. There are some things I would not have wanted to forget, a loved one's face or hands, and majestic scenes in nature. Now, even years later, because I wrote them down, they remain fresh and indelible.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you took that refreshing break and are ready to journey onward. I'll look forward to your creative adventures.
With great love,
Diane
I love quotes, and you have some good ones here...A good quote can be a little philosophy starter. That Neruda one on the sidebar reminds me of how God is a fire, and God is Love....
ReplyDeleteThat Mary Oliver quote is a good one to contemplate, too, as you suggest. Thank you!
Dear Gretchen,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words and for adding value to the sharing here with your insights. It's interesting what you say, about quotes being philosophy starters. I agree. I'm always curious to know the readings or quotes that may have started people on a given path in life. Wouldn't it be something if we all exchanged a meaningful quote or two when we exchange contact information? I wonder which ones I would pick, if I could only choose one or two. Do you know which you would choose? I'm thinking now of a few. Thanks again, peace.
Diane