The Mystery of the Creative Process: By Catherine Foster (Guest Blogger)

Day 14 of 100 Days of Blogging 

GUEST BLOGGER FRIDAY!

The Mystery of the Creative Process

By Catherine Foster

There is an air of mystery and mysticism around the creative process. Everyone is creative. This is our birthright. I have heard it said many times over from people, "I am not creative. I can't draw! I just do not have a creative bone in me!… etc. etc. " The truth is everyone has creative potential and can develop their creativity.

There are many views on what the creative process actually is. Is creativity by nature spontaneous or does it consist of the original use of an accomplished technique? Several experts say that the steps to the creative process are:

1. Preparation

2. Incubation

3. Illumination

4. Implementation

Can the creative process be different for different people? I truly believe that there are aspects of the creative process that are the same for a writer, a dancer, singer, song writer, illustrator, graphic artist, sculptor, painter and even a computer software designer. We each may have a little different process of the order in which we experience this adventure.

This is a diagram from Elizabeth King which is a wonderful demonstration of the artists creative process:

LINK to PHOTO

Truthfully, I can only speak from my own experience of 37+ years as an artist, expressive arts coach, experimental artist, and energy healer. This is the typical creative process I go through:

1. Illumination: There is a spark that is ignited within me. Sometimes it is a vision, a dream, a meditation or a desire to express a particular emotion. Often there is a link to an ongoing thought process as in a series I work on. "The Fabric of Life"series

or my "Peace Prevails Project" are just two examples.

2. Opening up to Possibilities: Other times my creative process is just a desire to experience joy and fun. Whether I am doing something that is representational, or a piece that is more abstract, it seems that I always start out loose with more free flowing color and designs.

This does not fit the typical step advised by "experts" in the creative process. More and more as an artist and energy healer, I find great joy in this step as I experiment with bringing up emotions to clear as I paint with my fingers on a wood surface. There is an aspect of surprise as to what a feeling looks like is both perplexing and exciting when the end result is viewed.

3. Incubation: There are times that the incubation step does apply. For years I have been incubating artworks I plan on creating before I leave this world. Part of my joy in the creative process is letting my mind go and allow the imagination take over. When the time is right, the energy propels me into action to physically create the artwork.

4. The preparation step is exciting and fun for me as an exercise mind mapping. The "how do I take a vision or idea into the physical"? There is often a lot of trial and error where I research what is needed to accomplish the imagery or vision. Sometimes it means talking with other artists, asking questions, and picking the brain of my engineer husband to collaborate with me. The process of letting the brain work out different ideas, mediums to use in order to create the effect that I see in my head is an adventurous journey.

5. Flexible : Often the creative process can take one on new roads during the physical creation. I call this step being in the moment and flowing with what the artwork truly wants. This requires listening within instead of letting the ego determine what needs to be created. There is ongoing internal conversation with the artwork. Sounds maybe strange, but yes if I listen to the art as it is being created it will tell me what it wants. Whenever I try to make the art become what I think it should be, it ends up a disaster, but if I let myself follow that inner dialogue, the creation is successful. The artworks where I paint with my fingers directly with paint on the canvas, is this same process. It encompasses feeling the energy of an emotion, letting the energy build and then flow out through my hands being flexible and open to what wants to be expressed. Example of X-perimental

My process incorporates working with energy, praying, singing, dancing, especially in the first step.  This is typical of my creative process in the artwork whether it is for myself or a client for a commissioned piece. As the artwork progresses, I usually tighten up on the piece with the detail at the end of the creative process. 

(Video: Step One-painting on metal-Catherine Foster)

Writing this blog is a creative adventure in using more of the left side of my brain than the right side. The process is similar though to the steps above as I started out loose and then tightened up the verbiage at the end. I just found myself doing the steps in a little different order than listed above.

In completion, my curious mind would love to hear what your creative process is. Is yours similar to mine or you have a different process you go through. 

Please comment on what your adventure in creativity is.

Thank you, Catherine Foster

cmbf2@me.com

www.catherinefoster.com 

www.creativitywhisperer.com

Love and love and love and...

Yesterday was the anniversary of my son's birthday. If he were still alive, he would have been 22 years old. Hard to imagine that sometimes. He died when he was 19 months old and to think about who he would have become as an adult is so strange when my photos and memories are of an infant~toddler.

Cooper died on January 15, 1993
Cooper's Memorial Service was January 23, 1993
Hannah (my 4th child) was born on January 30, 1993

Intense time of emotion. The death of a child and the birth of a child. All within a span of two weeks. Years later, it is still one of the most profound moments of my life. It taught me to feel everything. To feel the pain, to find joy in every moment and to open my heart to love and love and love and...

Kenneth "Cooper" Cox: June 12, 1991-January 15, 1993

Question 3: WomanTalk LIVE 5: What part of you have you yet to give voice to?

Day 12 of 100 Days of Blogging

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to answer 5 provocative questions asked by Ann Quasman host of WomanTalk Live Radio Show. 

The description of Ann's radio shows on her website:

A More Conscious Conversation

We don’t know about you, but we’ve had enough of the fluff.
Enough of the kind of topics that only skim the surface of who we are as women.
We want to go deeper.
We want to talk about topics and issues that support and inspire us.
We want to have conversations that make a difference – in our own lives and in the lives of other women. Everywhere.
We want to get involved, and we want to evolve.
We want a more conscious conversation.
So, enough of the fluff. Let’s start talking.

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What part of you have you yet to give voice to? 

Sexuality and sensuality. It was something I explored in the late 70’s and early 80’s when I worked at the Women’s Health Concerns Committee and Planned Parenthood. At that time, I discovered a powerful book: Our Bodies, Ourselves.  In addition to breast self-exam, we taught pelvic self-exam with a plastic speculum, mirror and flashlight. Body awareness. Body sensation. I want to talk about the power we have tied up in sexuality. There is a hidden super power in our sexuality that supports the expression of our creativity and our voice. I am ready to give voice to this conversation.


How would you answer this question? What part you have you yet to give voice to?

To read all 5 Questions and Answers, Click Here: WomanTalk LIVE

Andrea Hylen is the Founder of Heal My Voice, a global community of Empowered voices. The mission is to empower women to heal a story in their lives, reclaim personal power and step into greater leadership at the dinner table, in their communities and in the world. Working with everyday extraordinary women, projects in 2013 include Voices of Peace, Voices of Love, and Voices of Feminine Leadership. Current pilot projects include working with women with the experience of prison: letter circles and opportunities to write their stories. Andrea is a speaker on Collaboration as a Business Model, Empowerment and Grief Transformation and the author of four books. She lives in Santa Monica, California where she can be found regularly dancing on the beach.

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Even Positive Changes Can Make You Cry

Day 11 of 100 Days of Blogging


I am so excited!

My youngest daughter, Hannah and I are both moving into separate living environments. I started moving into a community house with seven adults last week. Hannah is still looking for an apt. By the end of June, the transition will be complete. Yeah! The next evolution in our lives. Hannah is 20 and the last of my children living at home. It is time for us to both take the next step in life. I am so excited for both of us!

This is a good thing, right? Then...why was I sobbing on the front lawn last week, after bringing a load of boxes into the new house?

My car was filled with books, kitchen supplies, clothes and a solid wood bookcase. I had a lot of things to "do" and yet something was compelling me to stop. I felt an impulse to sit on the front lawn. Stop for a minute. Sit down. Take a breath.  Stop pushing to get this done. Feel the feelings. Listen for the next step. Just Stop and Be Still.

I found a spot on the lawn with several small, brown mushrooms in a cluster. Sitting on the ground, I immediately felt a physical shift in my body and in my view of the world. Our yard has a white, metal fence with tall tree-like bushes in the front. The view at eye level now was so different. I could only see the feet of the people walking by. I could see the tires on the cars parked on the street. I could see clover, dirt, grass, ants, the roots of the trees.

My whole body relaxed, as I let go of everything on my to do list. I became aware of feelings I was ignoring. A rumbling began in my chest. My heart expanded and a deep sobbing traveled from my heart to my throat and a release of a cry. Tears started to flow with intakes of breath with each deep sob. The feeling was gratitude. A deep, palpable wave of gratitude for the presence of each of my daughters in my life.

I thought about Mary and how she feels more like a sister. When she was in 8th grade something transitioned in the way we felt about each other. There are still times when we are mother and daughter but most of the time, we both feel like we are sisters.

I thought of Elizabeth who I define as my catalyst. She is like the personal trainer who challenges you to run one more mile, to lift 10 lbs more than you thought you could possibly lift, to really let out who you are. From the moment I first held her in my arms in the hospital, she has seen the brilliance of who I really am and has called me into action with her determination and challenge.

I thought of Hannah who was born two weeks after her brother died. Hannah was the child I held in a rocking chair, breast feeding and grieving. Hannah took naps with me during my two years of being physically ill. Hannah was the focus of homeschooling and trips to Jonas Brothers concerts. Her presence in my life and the things I did "for her" created an opportunity for me to experience more creativity and freedom.

Sitting on the front yard, I sobbed. Heart expanding gratitude and letting go.

I write this as a reminder that even good changes can make you cry. A reminder to stop in the midst of the doing and allowing yourself to feel everything.

Change means letting go of one experience to open your arms to another experience. Change means you are releasing something in order to make room for the new. Change can make you cry. 

Enjoy the adventure and let yourself have a good cry.

WELCOME to the NEW HOME!

 

Listening to Your Heart: I Know

Day 10 of 100 Days of Blogging

In the mid 90's I went to a weekend workshop for women at a private home in West Virginia led by Jayne Howard Feldman and Lucky Sweeny. By that time in my life, I had ended a marriage, lost a child to cancer, personally survived a life threatening illness and I was homeschooling my children. With many of my decisions and choices, the people around me reflected doubt and fear. I had even been called crazy and stupid for choices that included alternative medicine, taking charge of my children's education and the decision to leave a marriage because of alcoholism and verbal abuse.

On Sunday morning at the retreat, all 15 women gathered on the deck with the sun rising over mountains and fir trees mixed with the autumn leaf colors of gold, red and orange. Jayne turned on the CD player and invited us to dance. The song was called, "I Know," from the album Beautiful World.

My heart burst when I heard the words to the song. They were the words I had been trying to tell people for years. When my decisions were questioned I would tell them, I just know. I can feel the choices. My heart knows.

Words from the song:

"How will I know the sun is going to shine again next day, I can reach you when you're so far away. I know because my heart tells me so.

How do I know the smile behind your eyes is for real, I can touch you and know what you feel. I know because my heart tells me so.

There is so much energy. Enough for everyone. Deeper than the conscious mind. Silent knowledge. Wisdom we all share.

Oh, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know...

I know 'cause my heart tells me so..."

How about you? 

What do you know? 

What is your heart telling you?

Click Here to Listen

Encouraging Leadership in Girls

Day 9 of 100 Days of Blogging

Powerful Video and an opportunity to reflect.

1. What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?

2. How Can We Encourage Leadership in Girls?

Post in the Comments and Let us Hear Your VOICE.

Click here to watch Video

California Dreamin': July 30-August 14, 1970

Day 8 of 100 Days of Blogging

In 1970, my grandparents arranged an amazing trip to California for my sister and me. I was 13 years old. My sister, Joanne, was 11. My parents used the trip to motivate us to get all A's and B's on our report card and I got a C in one of the subjects. What were my parents going to do? They couldn't cancel this trip and disappoint their parents! So, I received a "punishment."

My punishment was to write a report on our trip. Punishment? Are you kidding? It was one of the things that made the trip even better. Collecting postcards, menus, brochures, sugar packets and documenting this trip. I still have most of the scrapbook and the report.

We flew to San Diego and drove up the coast of California to San Francisco. My grandparents lived in San Jose and they connected the trip to a work trip for my grandfather.

My report starts out:

My California Report
Andrea Hylen (age 13)

July 30, 1970: It was a wet and chilly dawn when I awoke from my sleep. Excitement was ringing in the air. I leapt out of bed and threw on the clothes I had put out the night before. Little did I know about the exciting day planned for me! On the plane trip, the stewardess gave us the best of Western Service. I got Jr Stewardess wings and Western is going to send me a diploma of some sort saying that it was my first trip on their airlines. After the ride, Nana and Grampa picked us up at the San Diego Airport. In San Diego, the airport is very close to all the tall buildings and houses so when you land it seems as if you'll crash or else land on a tall building. I'll say this much it sure was scary!

(Note:  I wrote about a Harbor cruise and listed lots of facts. I am skipping to the 11th fact and the rest of the evening.)

#11: One of my favorite facts is about Marines. Marines are probably the best men in the service because when I waved to servicemen, Marines were the quickest to wave back. (Note: My Dad was a Marine in the reserves.)

After the Harbor Excursion we went over the San Diego~Coronado Bay Bridge and found the most adorable ice-cream parlor. The name was Tent City and when you went inside it was like you were in a great big tent. Nana and I ordered banana splits but Joanne only had a vanilla milkshake.

As soon as Nana and I had finished making pigs of ourselves we went back to the Motor Inn and waited for Grampa.

For supper we went to a Chicken Pie Shop and the food was delicious. You probably won't believe it but after that we went up in an inside glass elevator then we crossed to another building by standing on an escalator sidewalk. After we got to the other building, believe it or not, we went up in an outside glass elevator! On the way home, Grampa pointed out some trees with big, shiny leaves. They're called magnolia trees. All in all it was a good first day."

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As I read this 25 page "report", I remembered how much I loved being in California. Everything seemed magical. I was filled with wonder and curiosity. I felt so alive and connected to myself. No wonder I continued to travel back to California as an adult and why I moved here three years ago.

I can also see how this trip was a foundational piece that I would bring into homeschooling many years later. Learning on the road. Going to museums.  Feeling the excitement of a different location. Mixing it up with food and nature and people watching.

And lastly, with my first grandchild on the way, I am reminded of how a grandparent can impact your life with a banana split, a ride in an elevator and a walk in nature.