Create Now. All We Ever Have Is Now.
The act of creating is constant --it flows like a river through the ocean of our soul and ponds of imagination. Thoughts are like ripples on the water, you throw a rock (an idea) and then one leads to the other and the other. It is something we cannot stop; concentrated thoughts, moments of bliss.
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are”
When I was doing conceptual work for an advertising class, my mind could not stop brainstorming ideas for new commercials and print ads. Once my instructors gave the product's name, my mind started to explode with splashes of colorful ideas and to explore unlimited possibilities of what could be done. What boggled my mind was that we didn't need special software to visually present our ideas. We weren't even allowed to do collages out of magazines to express the concept for the ads. The only things we needed were: our creative minds, a blank piece of paper, and a black Sharpie. Oh, and some research.
Every time I had an idea I was often at an inconvenient time. I was either working, in class, or at a job interview. On a subway full of people, running or in the middle of a conversation. But no matter where I was, I found myself doodling on napkins, coffee cups, the back of receipts, or drawing on my phone app. I started keeping notes when I didn't have the time to draw and I was constantly recording my inspiration wherever I was and however I could.
At the end everyone's doodles weren't artistic master pieces, though I did try to make mine visually appealing because those traces of black marker represented me. Some people turned in assignments with stick figures, but their ideas were so creative that they got to stay on the wall the whole semester as examples. This is a constant reminder that simplicity can be powerful.
So this leads back to Teddy's words of wisdom. We don't need special equipment or to find ourselves in the perfect time to begin creating what it is we have in mind. If our spirit is calling us to create, to express ourselves, I believe it is our duty to do so..wherever we are, with whatever tools we have available. It's easy to make excuses but the reward of creating something is greater and healing to the soul. And well my friends, this life lesson can transfer to so many things we want to do in life, not only in making art. It can be valuable in starting a business, developing ourselves, learning or trying new things, and stepping out of our comfort zones. It only takes one step at a time.
“Whatever you’re meant to do, do it now. The conditions are always impossible”
New Illustration "La Geisha"
I was inspired by the beauty of Japan and my soul called me to create this illustration of a geisha while I was in the Metro North train ride to New York City. Here is what I came up with.
