by Carol
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| A dress made entirely on envelopes |
Do you sometimes page through Flickr or Instagram and just marvel at the talent on display? Does that sometimes translate into thoughts of inadequacy?
I believe the way around that is to change your reference point. Failure is a very important part of learning. Watching others struggle and overcome teaches so much more than watching successful finished products over and over again. Because each gain represents a trial. According to Danny Gregory - an artist who studies inspiration - when you watch others work through an issue, it makes the process more external. In other words, it separates your own ego from failures and illustrates how problems are solved. That gives you a thought process in which new ideas can pop up. It provides hope that creative problems in general, are solvable. It frees you to experiment without vulnerability.
That's what's so wonderful about having a creative community. We watch each other experiment. One of us enters a creative surge while another is blocked. New solutions are floated that spark different ideas in another.
A safe encouraging environment where you are allowed to be vulnerable. Isn't that a breeding ground for creativity? Who doesn't desire that in every aspect of life?
He who works with his hands is a laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands, his head and his heart is an artist.
St. Francis of Assisi
4 comments:
A beautiful, thoughtful post Carol. I truly believe that when it comes to creativity, community is everything. For all of the reasons you shared. Thanks for starting my week of so positively! xo
If it weren't for community, I would likely have hung up my camera years ago. And I certainly would not have ever written a blog post much less helped create this lovely collaborative community we have here at Focusing on Life. But most importantly of all, I would have never met the wonderful people who have become some of my dearest friends.
Without save, helpful communities I would not be where I am today. I am forever grateful for the first online photography group that I joined. From that small beginning I have found some amazing friends who are always inspiring and encouraging.
I agree with what has been written above by Dotti and Cathy. One of the nicest things I ever did for myself was join online groups of fellow photographers. I love the interaction we all have and find it wonderfully uplifting to get to know other kindred spirits from all over the world!
The dress made entirely of decorative envelopes is so creative... but I'm not sure about going out in the rain when wearing it!
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