Friday, September 21, 2007

THE URGE TO CREATE

By Christine Mason Miller

"Being creative feeds a well that, as humans, we are all born with. To watch the level of abandonment with which children create and not recognize this deep need within ourselves is a bit like trying to stay cold in front of a roaring fire. We can't help but want to create. We are human, after all."

The collage above is by one of my favorite artists. How fitting that I should find a piece of her work that speaks to creativity, not long after I posted about giving up my fears regarding creating art. (By the way, you can see more of her work at
http://www.christinemasonmiller.com.)

I have one little criticism directed at her use of the word abandonment. I think she meant children create with a level of abandon. (Though creating art helps abandoned children therapeutically, I don't think that's what she meant.)

I want to thank all of you for leaving such encouraging and thoughtful comments and emails. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate it. You have really lit a spark for me and I hope it grows into a lively, snapping, warming fire.

Here's another bit of serendipity: I bought the magazine Mary Englebreit's Home Companion yesterday and found a painting of hers with the phrase shown below. I do agree. No matter what level of skill we are at, we are all gifted and we cannot neglect or suppress it.

NEGLECT NOT
THE GIFT THAT IS IN THEE.
**********
P. S. It is going to take a while for me to launch my new blog. I want to create a banner instead of having the "prefab" banner that's on this blog. Since I don't know HOW to create a banner, this may take some time, especially since I want something that is my own creation, not a photo that I have lifted from some source. I mean, it's going to be an ART blog so how can use someone else's art? Also, I completely forgot to mention this will also be a POETRY blog as well as an art blog. Plus, I've made some bits of jewelry that I want to show, and I WILL - dammit - create that "Spirit Doll" I have been planning for weeks in my mind.

6 comments:

Lila Rostenberg said...

We are definitely born to create!
I haven't done the "banner" thing myself...but I bet some help will come along for you! No hurry!
I am looking forward to seeing anything that you create and want to share!

Janet said...

The banner thing is a mystery to me, too. I have wanted to do one for quite awhile so maybe we can help each other get one made.

Thank you for the link to the artist....I love her work!

nonizamboni said...

A lovely post worthy of the subject. I thought of you (us)when this quote came across my screen this a.m.:
“If you hear a voice within you say "you cannot paint," then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”
- Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890)

Kim Campbell said...

ep, the banner thing is elusive to me too. But I can't wait for the unveiling of your new blog!

Annie Jeffries said...

I agree, Julie. Abandon, as in total freedom, might have been the better word.

Samanta Vega Díaz said...

Thanks, Julie, for the never-ending string of droplets and gems your spirit is !

I have started following Christine Mason Miller's work too. No doubt she is another Wild Woman living her Gift of Creativity !

Best regards from the Mediterranean, Celtic Lady