Your Idea is Your Compass
A liberating path.
Having particular ideas behind your art might seem like a hard creative path. Harder, say, than making work by starting with random marks and responding to what emerges.
But I actually think it's easier to build a body of work around an idea, or personally significant imagery, than to focus purely on formal elements. Because when you know what you're trying to say, your work has somewhere to go. The idea becomes a kind of compass, helping you not get lost in what can feel like the dark woods of the creative process.
And yet, for a lot of makers, I think finding any kind of driving idea feels like a mystery.
I’ve been thinking about this while being neck-deep in my indigo vat trying to prep for the upcoming Taos Studio Tour, so I thought I’d share a recent podcast conversation I had with the wonderful Pam Vale from “You are Creative” who asked me questions I don’t usually get asked about my process.
We talked about how I actually work, what drives a body of work, and why having something to say might be more freeing than it sounds.
Pam and I covered a lot of ground and it felt great to talk to a kindred spirit. I’ve done a lot of podcast interviews in recent months, but so far, this has been one of my favorites.
Here’s the link:
I love your work Out To Sea! You are such a magnificent artist …. You breathe life into every piece. ♥️
So interesting that having an idea or meaning behind your art can make the creative process easier than if you don’t have that.
I wonder though if many artists don’t know how to have an idea or meaning. It sounds funny to say that though, but I bet it’s the case.