June 9, 2013

ISIQ-0163

And, after that nail-biting cliffhanger yesterday, here we are with today’s beautiful quote about art and adulthood.

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” – Pablo Picasso

This theme of art and creativity has been gently tapping me on the shoulder for months now. But it was finally at last weekend’s Misfit Conf that I got the full slap-in-the-face version. There, among many inspirational people I now call friends, I was reminded over and over again that I am an artist. To dream, to wonder, to imagine – with no reward except the exercise of creating something new and wonderful.

Through this experience I have realised, finally, that the only path I can sustainably walk is that of creating art – consistently, continuously, and courageously.

And let me be clear here: Art isn’t necessarily painting, making photographs, or sculpture – the disciplines and mediums we typically associate with art. Jump onto Google and search “define:art” and you get this:

art (noun)
/ärt/

  1. The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture,…: “the art of the Renaissance”
  2. Works produced by such skill and imagination.

I personally prefer to trim the first definition down to the somewhat broader version: “The expression of application of human creative skill and imagination”.

Computer programming is art. Pouring concrete, done with passion and care, is art. Most sports, when executed by their most skilled proponents, transcend skill into the realm of art.

Why is this so important?

Because as I learned last week, and have read many times through the works of Seth Godin (like this one) and other insightful characters, we are entering an age where our creativity and our ability to make art are worth more, and are far more important than our ability to follow processes, memorise things, and do what we’re told.

I’ve realised that when I open my heart – REALLY OPEN MY HEART – and let my inner, most vulnerable self out to play, I am capable of amazing works of art. It has affected my perspective on my photography, my writing, my parenting, and my relationship with my wife. It has even affected how I approach my IQ’s each day.

How long is it since you made art, for its own sake, made without hope of, or interest in, rewards of any kind?

Do you bring art to your daily work? Are you stuck in the rut of making commodity products day in, day out? I’d love to have a conversation with you about it in the comments.

Go on, speak up, so we can all find our inner child, and our inner artist. :)

With love,
Israel. xo

 

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