Fare Forward, Voyagers

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Not fare well,

But fare forward, Voyagers.

T.S. Eliot, The Dry Salvages

Writing and Drawing

I would describe myself as an artist, specifically a writer. I love to draw, but to be perfectly honest, I'm not very good at it. I'm not sure why, I've just never really taken the time to get good at it I suppose. But for some reason, it is writing that makes sense to me, even if my words don't always make sense.

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I've been practicing my artwork, specifically drawing and painting. I find that I'm better at painting simply because I blur the lines and colors together easier. It is also easier to create layers. I'm learning how to draw more by practicing more and more.

Nonetheless, it is writing that comes naturally. I figured it out, at least in part, recently. I can sit down with a blank piece of paper and be inspired to fill it with words. Even if those words don't connect or flow, I can still create them to make some sort of pattern. However, when I sit down to a blank paper with the intention of drawing, my mind goes blank. I have the stirrings of a panic attack and don't know where to start. I can't unload my mind using drawing like I can with words. Even right now, I know what these words look like on a paper, but I am clueless as to how to transform this emotion into artwork. One day I hope that changes, that I can sit down and draw my emotions. However, until then I will continue to practice my drawing and my painting and fall back to words to make life make sense.

This is an example of pouring my heart out on paper,
just trying to make sense of my world.

That's all we need right, to create order and understanding even if the method is chaotic and messy. Even if the words don't make sense, it creates sense for me. That is all art is...emotions for all to see and hopefully experience in their own way. Art is something that can never die because with it ends all human understanding. That would be a sad day indeed. For now I will write nonsense and some stories and continue to practice other forms of art. Maybe one day the world will make sense. Until then, just enjoy the journey.

What's in a name?

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It's interesting what inspires you creatively. My biggest creative outlet is my writing, thus this blog. Songs inspire me often, which is why I post so many of them. However, it seems any insignificant moment or word will do the trick.  The best part is, this random inspiration usually happens when I am at a point when it feels impossible for me to even put two words to paper. Like now. So I'm glad for a least this moment, this glimpse of what is to come.

The thing that has inspired me lately is something that hasn't ever before...that is names. For some unbeknownst reason, two specific names have inspired me to create a story around them. The first is Quentin and the second is Celeste. One is a male and the second is a female. I'm not sure what the setting is or even exactly what the characters suppose to do, but that is their names. I am excited about this actually because you never know what will inspire you, it is what you do with that moment that makes the difference. I can't wait to sit down with a block of time and find out who Quentin is. He is a character that will reveal himself to me if I will only listen.

The fun part about writing is this idea that I create a character and a story. However, that is often not the case. Most of the time it is an abstract thought that finds me and demands to be written down. It is not my imagination at all that creates this story, but an idea that comes and demands to be developed and doesn't let me rest until that happens.

I hear the same concept comes with the creation of music or any type of art. There is something slightly off in the minds of those who create things. Perhaps it is simply part of being human. I don't know about other creative minds, but I am happy to be part of the process.

I sit at my computer now as I write this thought and get so excited about taking the next step and allowing this character to live and this story to be written. Someone somewhere needs to hear what this character thinks, even if that person isn't me. It is a wonderful concept to imagine that a word, a phrase, a concept can change the life of a person. It is a great responsibility and a great honor.

I am excited about the creative process, no matter how irrational it is. I am excited to bring life to these characters and ideas that make the minds of people spin and grow. I am excited to grow myself with the characters as they tell their story through my words. One day I will meet Quentin and find out who he is and what he has to tell me. The same with Celeste. That will be a good day.