I was recently interviewed for Carmen Torbus's forthcoming book The Artist Unique: Discovering Your Creative Signature Through Inspiration and Techniques, and her questions were focused on what specific artistic and creative techniques I use in my work. As I went through the interview, I initially felt like I wasn't going to give her what she wanted because I don't consider myself a technique-oriented artist. I am more a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of artist because, quite frankly, when I am deep in the creative zone I am far too impatient for work that requires me to follow steps A, B and C in a very particular manner. But when I thought about it further, I realized that I did have my own little box of tried-and-true techniques, and all of those tools existed within me. I don't want to spill all the details of what I shared in the interview, but the general idea is that my techniques have to do with one simple philosophy: Try it, and see what happens.
This past week at Squam Art Workshops, in the Book in a Day class I taught with Marisa Haedike, I figured out that this is not only what serves me well as an artist, but also as a teacher. At one point during class - after explaining all the different options available to our students for their handmade books - I summed it up by saying, "Basically, any question you have that begins with 'Can I...?" is going to get an enthusiastic 'Yes!'"
And it's just that simple, and it is what gives me the greatest joy as a teacher. That I can - hopefully - show my students some tools, methods and instructions and also create a space where they fully embrace the possibilities of "What if?" - where they completely understand that if they try something and it doesn't work, all that means is that a new opportunity for creativity is being given to them.
As I was reflecting on all of this on the long flight home - filling page after page in my journal - I saw all the connections between the way I live my life, the way I create, the way I've built my career and, now, the way I teach. I'm not here to tell anyone that if Steps A, B and C are followed everything will work out exactly the way they want it to. I don't have a "Secret", and I don't believe in formulas for life. I believe in giving it a go. I believe in showing up. I believe in following my intuition, and in trying the crazy ideas that come floating into my head to see where they take me. And I believe that too many of us walk this earth thinking we're not doing something right, or we're doomed if our ideas don't work, or we've failed if something we planned very carefully for doesn't turn out the way we think it was supposed to.
In our class, there was no right way to make a book. There was not any idea - none at all - that someone could have presented to us that we would have considered and said, "Don't try it - it won't work." As a teacher, I can offer bits of advice, guidance and, yes, even a technique or two, but beyond that what I wanted to do more than anything was simply cheer everyone on. That cheering on might have been to celebrate with someone when their ideas worked seamlessly, and it also might have involved holding a quiet space for someone if frustration was setting in because something wasn't working as expected. (Because even though "mistakes" might be opportunities for growth and creativity, those can still be difficult moments.)
This class was a full day where we were all making it up as we went along, and letting the circumstances of each moment guide us to the next rather than trying to mold each moment into what we thought it needed to look like. There were puzzles to solve and mistakes to deal with just as there was paper to cut and thread to sew. Students brought supplies, arrived with ideas and within five minutes of arrival were already setting up their table space for a day of creativity. But beyond that, in many ways, the day was out of our hands, and it came to life and was shaped less about what specific ideas we all had for ourselves and more about how gently we followed the flow of what we were given moment by moment.
It is my hope that whatever I did as a teacher that day expressed to everyone that wherever they were and whatever they were doing or feeling was OK. It is my hope that everyone knew how truly, deeply, wildly blown away I was by their spirit, their creations and their willingness to show up, give it a go and honor what they needed throughout the day. During one part of the afternoon, one of our students was taking a nap on a bench in the back of the room, and that absolutely made my day. Sometimes we need a nap, and sometimes we need to cry. Sometimes our ideas fall apart like stale cookies - crumbs everywhere, making a mess - but every time that happens it gives us the opportunity to approach our ideas from an entirely different and wholly unexpected angle, and this is what it's all about.
In life, in the creative process, in a classroom, in a marriage and as a parent - no matter what role we are playing - it takes nothing more than giving our full attention to the task at hand, and instead of judging anything as good, bad or otherwise, saying, "Well isn't that interesting," and letting it all be OK as it is.
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares drop off like autumn leaves." ~John Muir
This was really interesting and awesome.
Posted by: Katrina kaif wallpapers | March 20, 2011 at 05:21 AM
Thanks for sharing your idea. Real artist can do anything.
Posted by: Kumar | August 31, 2010 at 05:47 AM
I can tell you came back inspired, my dear. I love seeing/ reading about you in your element. This class sounds like the bomb! You are an awesome teacher. xoxx
Posted by: Alessandra Cave | June 11, 2010 at 10:06 AM
Here gives me the feeling of being in sunshine
Posted by: homa | June 11, 2010 at 04:26 AM
Thank you so much for a wonderful class at Squam.
I can speak with knowledge in saying that you did an amazing job in holding a quiet space for someone if frustration was setting in because something wasn't working as expected.
Apparently Squam this year for me was all about growth and character building, and I learned a lot, mostly about myself.
Once I found my groove in your class I loved it, and I am really looking forward to taking that and continuing to play with it back here in the real world.
Posted by: Jenn C. | June 10, 2010 at 10:57 AM
amazing ideas....
post is reall intersting as i can see picture..
thanks a lot.
keep rocking.
Posted by: jignesh | June 10, 2010 at 06:35 AM
This made me cry. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: MackeyBlue | June 10, 2010 at 06:28 AM
methods
systems
rules
all overrated if you ask me
"fly by the seat of your pants"-now THERE is an ideology i can live with
(what a mantra, man!)
lol
LOVE YOU xoxo
Posted by: gillian | June 09, 2010 at 04:29 PM
sometimes we need to nap AND cry.
this is beautiful as are you!
Posted by: Lizzy | June 09, 2010 at 02:10 PM
"I believe in giving it a go."
Can we put that on t-shirt?
(Cute little V neck preferably.)
You're just swell. What a perfect post you made here...
Thanks!
Posted by: Rebecca in Switzerland | June 09, 2010 at 01:42 PM
These were good words for me today...thank you!
Katherine
Posted by: Katherine | June 09, 2010 at 01:25 PM
For years I wasted time thinking I couldn't show my work because it wasn't perfect or wouldn't create because I put so much pressure on myself. Somewhere along the way a shift happened and I started viewing it in a different way. No expectations just playing! It has helped so much. Thank you for being such a great source of inspiration.
Posted by: Small Sweet Steps | June 08, 2010 at 08:01 PM
now i am above the clouds with this post. i hope i can take a class from you in the future.
Posted by: ludid | June 08, 2010 at 05:09 PM
I can wait to take your class this fall at Squam. I almost don't want to finish reading the blog, because I want to be totally surprised.
Posted by: Pippin Schupbach | June 08, 2010 at 03:21 PM
oh yeah, it's all fun and games until you get the damn printer involved!!!! Before you know it it's MATH! LOL! LOL! LOL! LOL!
Posted by: anne | June 08, 2010 at 11:45 AM
this is so true to how the class felt.
thanks for all that you shared...your smiles, words, encouragement, laughter and support.
i really enjoyed spending time with you and feeling your spirit. looked through my photos and wished that i had more of your sunny image. i do have a few from the your camp...don't think i will be sharing! looking forward to seeing you again. be well and enjoy the time in your temporary space.
i've already starting sharing the joy of your postcards. thank you.
~sunshine and happiness
Posted by: branchhomestead | June 08, 2010 at 09:53 AM
This is a beautiful approach to teaching/living Swirly. And reading "it takes nothing more than giving our full attention to the task at hand, and instead of judging anything as good, bad or otherwise, saying, "Well isn't that interesting," and letting it all be OK as it is." was very valuable for me today.
I love the vision of you sitting on the plane writing away in your journal....
xoxox
Posted by: Thea | June 08, 2010 at 09:32 AM