melissagay (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} melissagay) wrote,@ 2007-07-19 12:47:00 |
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The Creative Process
In a conversation last night withwhirl_twirl, I was recounting my creative process, for no particular reason other than I'm trying to finish a painting and misery loves company. It got me thinking, though-- do any other of you on my exceptionally creative friends list experiences anything similar in your own creative process?
Mine goes something like this, annotated with accompanying emotions at each stage:
1. Initial idea. Genius!!! Pure genius!!! I am *giggly* with anticipation.
2. Start artwork. Meh-- I might consider it a good start, tomorrow, after I look at it again.
3. Lay down underpainting; start on top colors. Life is perfect!!!! This is what I was BORN to do!!! I love everyone, everywhere!!!!! World peace is possible! Birds sing, bells ring, small animated woodland creatures do a dance and clean my kitchen.
4. Notice a problem with the [lighting/colors/focal point/lines]. The problem is incorrigible!!! The whole concept was fundamentally flawed from the get-go!!! The piece is so horrific-looking it makes me want to claw out my own eyes. I am the worst artist in the entire world. I am alone in my misery-- ALONE, I say!!!! All is dark in my sight, food turns to ash in my mouth; cliffs are too good for me to throw myself off of.
5. Work the problem through. I am a fevered mess of pain and raw nerve. Personal hygiene and sleep are just things that happen to other people.
6. Problem resolved. A nightingale twitters timidly in the distance. A juddering spark of hope glints in my sunken eye.
7. The finished piece begins to emerge. WOOOOO, I AM ON FIRE!!!!! It just doesn't get any better than this!!!! ALL OF NATURE CELEBRATES WITH ME!!!
8. Painting is finished. I am so slick. What was the big deal? Why was I ever worried about this? I am such a cool artist. What a pro!
9. Take a much-needed breather between projects. Yay, I finished a painting!... and now I will never, ever have another idea as long as I live. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaugh!!!!
10. Repeat. Is there any wonder I'm on medication? :-)
So, what's your creative process like?
In a conversation last night with
whirl_twirl, I was recounting my creative process, for no particular reason other than I'm trying to finish a painting and misery loves company. It got me thinking, though-- do any other of you on my exceptionally creative friends list experiences anything similar in your own creative process? Mine goes something like this, annotated with accompanying emotions at each stage:
1. Initial idea. Genius!!! Pure genius!!! I am *giggly* with anticipation.
2. Start artwork. Meh-- I might consider it a good start, tomorrow, after I look at it again.
3. Lay down underpainting; start on top colors. Life is perfect!!!! This is what I was BORN to do!!! I love everyone, everywhere!!!!! World peace is possible! Birds sing, bells ring, small animated woodland creatures do a dance and clean my kitchen.
4. Notice a problem with the [lighting/colors/focal point/lines]. The problem is incorrigible!!! The whole concept was fundamentally flawed from the get-go!!! The piece is so horrific-looking it makes me want to claw out my own eyes. I am the worst artist in the entire world. I am alone in my misery-- ALONE, I say!!!! All is dark in my sight, food turns to ash in my mouth; cliffs are too good for me to throw myself off of.
5. Work the problem through. I am a fevered mess of pain and raw nerve. Personal hygiene and sleep are just things that happen to other people.
6. Problem resolved. A nightingale twitters timidly in the distance. A juddering spark of hope glints in my sunken eye.
7. The finished piece begins to emerge. WOOOOO, I AM ON FIRE!!!!! It just doesn't get any better than this!!!! ALL OF NATURE CELEBRATES WITH ME!!!
8. Painting is finished. I am so slick. What was the big deal? Why was I ever worried about this? I am such a cool artist. What a pro!
9. Take a much-needed breather between projects. Yay, I finished a painting!... and now I will never, ever have another idea as long as I live. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaugh!!!!
10. Repeat. Is there any wonder I'm on medication? :-)
So, what's your creative process like?
