Feel good now and forever after, promise.

I have heard the expression probably thousands of times, “I am no artist, I can’t draw a straight line”. I take issue with that wholeheartedly.  First, I have been a professional artist for over 45 years, and I can’t draw a straight line either, secondarily you can be creative.

Everyone has the genes to be creative; it’s in our DNA. There are 267 genes that scientists have found relating to creativity. These genes are not found in our closet relatives, the great apes, or in our historically related species like Neanderthals. The genes are ours and ours alone and you have them.

The good news is that everyone can be creative. I say that is good news because of the immense benefits of creating.

I have been rebuilding my website for the last 6 months. I’ve had a blog on the site since 2006 but lately I have been thinking about dropping it.  I have not posted much in the last few years, then I started thinking…

You know what has been great about creating art? Creating art. Creating. The process of creating. I don’t even know how to say this but, it’s something like when I am painting or creating a sculpture or another project, you get in this place where that’s where you are exclusively. Being in the here and now, being totally present or however you want to express it.

There is a ton of information about how beneficial living in the present is for you. Psychologists, clergy, medical professionals, spiritual teachers of all paths extol the virtues of being in the present. There’s a bumper sticker says, ‘Be here now… now’.

And that’s the good news I was talking about! We all, you can improve your well-being easily and quickly. Pick up a pencil and a piece of paper and sketch something. It’s that easy to slide into a place that is totally here and now. You just must let go of expectations. Easier said than done… not really.

So, anyway I am going to start posting about this whole creative process and how it can be such an uplifting part of your life.

You might think, oh hell I can’t do that, and blah,blah, blah, there’s a million excuses not to try or start.  It’s all bullshit; that’s probably the best excuse.

So, here’s my work studio. One of the shelves where I keep supplies and work in process.

My workbench where I stand and work. I have several projects going on at once.

At one end of the workbench, I have a 2 by 4 table where I sit to paint. Here I am working on a commissioned project.

So, you see I am quite the slob. I have a totally messy workspace, and I spend a lot of time looking for a tool or brush and end up finding it right in front of me in a pile of whatever. That’s the way I have always worked and somehow it all comes together in the end. I bring this up because it doesn't matter what space you have or don’t have, how organized you are or aren’t. It all works out. In Florida, before my move to California, I had a 500 square foot studio space in my home, now I have half of a garage. It all works out. What I am trying to say is you don’t need all the accoutrements of an art studio to start creating. 

A lot of people practice meditation or yoga, a lot of mindfulness exercises out there also, all designed to guide you into a place of peacefulness. I am talking about the same place. The point is to start creating. It’s the act of creating itself which takes you to being in the present.

Thanks for reading.