" The creative process is also the most terrifying part because you don't know exactly what's going to happen or where it is going to lead. You don't know what new dangers and challenges you'll find. It takes an enormous amount of internal security to begin with the spirit of adventure, discovery, and creativity. Without doubt, you have to leave the comfort zone of base camp and confront an entirely new and unknown wilderness. "
-Stephen Covey
I came across this quote by Mr. Covey, which I think sums up the feelings, excitement, fears and challenges one experiences when faced with a new creative endeavour.
Inspiration presents itself anywhere and at any time, sometimes at the most inconvenient moments when it is difficult to pursue it to the degree you would like. Turning inspiration into something of substance involves the creative work, which takes a massive amount of time and energy and where one becomes deeply engrossed in the process, sometimes to the exclusion of everything else. This initial period conjures up deep feelings of adventure and emotional highs. It is stimulating, almost intoxicating and one's ideas run rampant , free flowing and there are elements of risk involved which you find exciting.
However, this" high" can only go on for so long and you have to call upon your self-discipline to allow you to focus on your goals. You ask yourself the pertinent questions, " what am I trying to say? " " how can I develop these ideas?" " what do I wish to achieve?" "How do I picture the final piece in my mind's eye?" This is the more analytical and logical stage where you have to ask yourself some difficult questions. What technical aspects, supports, structures must be considered? What techniques must I employ to reach my end goals? Colours? Textures? Fibres? Threads? This is the area where things can get dangerous. The part where you begin to seek out the special objects that will create this masterpiece. In some instances, the ongoing seeking of the perfect materials becomes the cover-up for fears, self-doubts and procrastination........... the ultimate fear of actually starting the piece.
It takes courage to jump in, putting aside all self-doubts and being positive of your vision. As you proceed, you will come upon stumbling blocks ; there will be challenges, difficulties and yes, in some cases failures, and you will have to trust in yourself to find your way around them and learn from them. You will walk a thin line shrouded in uncertainty and self criticism and might be displeased with yourself over perceived weaknesses. There will be anxious moments when you need to remain objective and see these hurdles as opportunities for growth and self-discovery . You have to trust yourself to move forward and stay on track.
After small set backs, which are inevitable , you become even more determined and persistent in your efforts to achieve your goal. Your enthusiasm returns and your deep commitment to your work resumes with even more conviction and intensity. Your deeper identification with the work becomes more of a spiritual nature and you have a clear sense of purpose which is most gratifying. Creativity is pushing new ideas and boundaries while stepping out of your comfort zone and charting new territories.
I believe that sharing my ideas on the creative process has been a reawakening and a stimulus for me to take the plunge in commencing a huge undertaking that has been in the design phase for over five years. My initial idea has grown from the proverbial mole hill into a mountain and has been re-designed more times than I've had hot dinners. However, I am at a more peaceful place in my life right now, where I can turn my hand to this long awaited project and once it is implemented there will no doubt be many more changes as the stitching progresses. More to come in a while.......
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