The Creative Process

 

Yes, people, this is what the creative process looks like

the closer the deadline looms.

 

 

Comments

[Flannista]

Mike and I are leaving the red area and entering the yellow/gold area.

[Matissta]

Flann, you were crying yesterday when I spoke to you. It was because you were happy with your results so far, but you were crying.

You might be crying tomorrow, if your flight is cancelled.

[Flannista]

You're right, Matissta -- Mike and I may have entered the green area. Yeah, I was crying (so was Mike) because the music -- combined with the sound bites we chose -- is really working.

My flight tomorrow is scheduled to leave at 5:45 a.m. and so far it's on time. Sweet Jesus, I hope I get out. The plane I'm taking comes from DC the night before -- not from anywhere in New England, but you never know.

[treesta]

So glad to hear that the audio track is working out. And hopefully, Flann, they're getting all the planes out of the New England area today.

[PEACEsista]

I'm assuming you are on your way and that the catties are "getting everything ready" for your return (whatever sort of mischief that may be...)

Welcome home.

[Flannista]

Thanks, PEACEsista . . . but I am still sitting here in the studio with Mike. The client is coming in about five minutes to listen to the audio track.

I do wish I was winging my way home, but not until tomorrow morning when I catch a flight that leaves at 5:45 a.m. I fly back to MouseLand first thing Monday morning to continue dropping in the video.

[Flannista]

What awaits me when I open the front door to my house? I'll let you all know!

[Flannista]

On more thing: any comments on "the creative process" as depicted in the image for this post? For me, it's pretty spot on.

[PEACEsista]

Yesterday, when I went to donate blood they asked if I would donate platelets, too, which was a first for me. They did a count to be sure that I was an eligible donor. Turns out that I have a better than average number of platelets, which are used especially to support patients with cancer.

I was hooked-up to a machine which drew my blood, extracted the platelets and then returned my blood to me. Amazing, really! I watched the bags fill with my yellow platelets and at the end another bag filled with a unit of A+ blood. My lips tingled, a common side-effect.

Because, we traveled to Africa last year, I was not eligible to donate blood for one year (as it is on a list of countries bearing nasty blood born diseases.) We are traveling to Vietnam and Thailand in March, also countries on that list, so I will not be able to donate blood again until a year after our return. But, platelets regenerate faster than blood, so they scheduled to take a double unit from me again in a couple weeks.

This is such an easy way to support the life of another. Please, do it if you are able.

[Matissta]

Flann, I have to say the image is dead on. I've been there many times. It was especially true when I worked through the night to complete a project in college. Hours would go by, and I'd hardly notice what time it was. I often worked until 4am without a thought.

I must admit that I did cry occasionally, because at that point you're so exhausted and stressed. To cram for a test or write a paper is different then trying to complete something that uses your creativity. You can't rush or force it, otherwise it will show in the result. And unless you've experienced it, I don't think most understand.

[Matissta]

I used to donate platelets as well, PEACE. And was fascinated by the process, but I never traveled to a country where I wasn't eligible to donate for a time. I'd love to add that to my resume.

[Flannista]

PEACE -- my blood type is A+, too!

[treesta]

I think the creative process image is a pretty accurate depiction. I'd add a tiny little blue space after the green space for the last minute, middle-of-the-night changes that come when the project is finished, when I finally sleep for a few hours, and something comes to me in a dream. Happens every time.

[PEACEsista]

The graphic fits better for me in relation to work-related endeavors rather than with personal creativity. Having been a weaver for most of my life, I can attest to many an intense push to build inventory for shows. After a show, and before the next one, there is a long dormant phase, which doesn't feel so much like "f*ck it" but more like the germination of the next inspiration.

[Flannista]

Mike and I identify with the "f*ck off" stage, not in terms of goofing off, but in terms of veering from being slap happy to snapping at each other.

Yesterday morning, we were really snapping at each other. We've never come to physical blows, but man, have we shouted at one another. His colleagues think we often sound like we're married.

[Matissta]

I'm A+ too. So now I know who to tap if I need a blood donation.

The "f*ck off" stage when working alone for me is don't bother me. Let me have time to work on this and get it to a decent stage before you start ripping the cr@p out of it.

When working with Flann, we often bicker back and forth. Saying things would would never say to each other normally. After we're done with the project, it's like nothing happened because we know it's just the tension. We both want to create something we're happy with and proud of.

[treesta]

So this is the process for the Christmas cards, then?

[Matissta]

Actually it was better, because Flann was in Florida most of the time I was working on it. So she didn't see the different stages until I was ready to send them.

[Emily]

Greetings, I'm so interested in the creative process as artist's view it. Thanks for sharing your perceptions and experiences. It strikes me that one has to be gutsy to create. Those stages pictured aren't for the luke warm participant are they? Perhaps I've been too much the luke warm participant when I've attempted to create art in my life and tend to give up in the f_ck off stage. I like how long that stage is int he picture.

You have reinspired me to give blood PEACEsista. They have trouble with my small veins and they can't always get enough to even use the blood. My blood runs so slow. I think I'm part mineral. I'm going to suck it up and try anyway. Seems to be my new motto this year.

[treesta]

Smile. I was just joking on that one. I do believe the process is much more tense when one is working on a truly creative project, because we invest so much more of 'ourselves' into a creative project, by it's very nature. So I applaud everyone whose day-to-day work is invested in such projects.

I still think Matiss & Flann would make a dynamite team in this regard. Just sayin'.

[treesta]

"I'm going to suck it up and try anyway." Kinda goes with Flann's thought that the biggest part of living is simply showing up. Smile.

[PEACEsista]

Yippee, EMILY! There was a guy donating when I was, whose blood was running too slow and they had to stop the process. They suggested before he came back next time that he should drink a LOT of water the day before and the day of the donation. You might try that, too! Also, squeeze the heck out of that squeezy grip they give you. I noticed my platelet donations really slowed when I forgot to keep squeezing. Blessings to you for being a donor!

[Emily]

Thanks Treesta! I miss your lovely presence. We've all been out of range a bit. I too like Flann's point--showing up is huge. Totally agree that Matissta and Flannista make a dynamite creative team.

Thanks for the encouragement PEACEsista! I'll be sure to attend my newly reinstated blood draw appts well hydrated. Normally I'm very hydrated. I squeeze the ball a lot! It's remarkable how they can't seem to get the blood out of me without troubles. But I'm done complaining; I'm just going. I think it's wonderful you gave platelets.

[Flannista]

Emily -- I agree with treesta! I love, "I'm going to suck it up and try anyway." Make it into a bumper sticker. You will make millions.

I also agree that Matiss and I make a very dynamic/dynamite creative team. Actually, I'm rather in awe of it.

[Flannista]

I often describe the creative process as "riding a lightning bolt" because so much of it you really can't control.

As you know, in the video I'm now working on, I had this "idea" to use mirrored panels and three-dimensional words. But will it work? Someone (I think Sista C) asked me how it was going, and I said that waiting for this to be completed is like the story in one of the Gospels of Jesus healing the blind man. Right after, the man's friends asked him what he could see and he responded, "I see trees walking." What he was really seeing was people, but they looked like "trees walking".

Right now, this video looks like "trees walking" -- and so does every creative project I work on until it is completed. it takes an incredible amount of courage and patience to trust the muses, the Spirit, the whatever. You must go where the process takes you even when you can't clearly see the end product.

It's scary and exhilarating all at once.