catalyst
June 26th, 2006
Art is not often commissioned.
We commission ourselves to make art
- Julia Cameron, The Sound of Paper
Week ago a friend and I talked about choosing careers, and especially about creative professions. She said she just doesn’t have it in her. Whatever it is. She is one of those multitalented people who is pretty great at whatever she tries her hand on. Writing, making clothes, painting… you name it.
She tells me doing that stuff is nice, but she has no real urge to do any of it. She has trouble following through her projects and although she thinks she would like a creative profession, the thought of the hard work and unstability cripples her with fear. She also fears not being original.
Half-mockingly she says I live in “the world of big plans.”
What it comes down to, I tell her, is that the excitement is far bigger than the fear. There is some kind of residual childishness, that makes me see the world as a way more magical place than most. Do what you love and things will turn out fine. “But you know me, I am such a flake,” I end the conversation.
Now I want to say -
It’s so much easier than you think. Do the little things, one drawing, one page at a time, make it work for you, not the other way round. Find your muses and catalysts, whatever works is not cheating. It’s real work, but remember to have fun…