Where does ART come from?

I love this conversation with Lesley Riley, a gifted and generous artist's coach and thought I would share it with you. Where does YOUR art come from?

Reaching by Lyric Kinard

Mother's Hand: Magic by Lyric Kinard

Where does art come from, this passion to create? It's a question I ask all of my guests on my bi-weekly Art & Soul radio show. The responses are as varied as my guests - artists, writers, all talented people. Best-selling author, Patti Digh's quick and witty response was, "It comes from my elbow." Her "serious" answer was that it comes from a great, deep yearning that we have to express what seems inexpressible or ineffable (beyond words). Artist and author, Pam Carriker shares "It comes from inside, it's part of who I am." Others have expressed the fact that it's a need, they can't not create. Some have said they believe it comes from the source, God, the Universe - that we are just a conduit, the messenger.

I have come to the conclusion that it's innate. With six children and six (7 is on the way!) grandchildren, and plenty of inside knowledge, I know there exists no toddler that does not want to make their mark. It could stem from pure delight in putting something into the world that did not exist before.

Is self-expression a basic need? Look at all the ways we do express ourselves: music, writing, blogging, dance, drama, hairstyle, clothing, cooking, home decorating and more. So if we all start out drawing, scribbling, mark-making, mud pie creating and make-believe-ing, why do so many of us give it up? And what would happen if we didn't give it up?

Photo source: 7/6/09 english.chinatibetnews.com

Last week the journal, Science, described the finding of 100,000 year old "two tidy paint 'tool kits'" discovered in 2008 along a cliff in South Africa in a cave called Blombos. It was 100,000 years ago that Homo Sapiens emerged as a species and now here is evidence that we were painting from the very beginning! Researchers say that these paint tools and pigments "push deeper into human history the evidence for artistic impulses." Experts at the Louvre performed an analysis and determined that "whoever made the ancient paint selected only the brightest of reds" from the ochre. The desire and need to create is as old as mankind.

Mother's Hand: Burnt Out by Lyric Kinard

What would happen if everyone had the means and confidence to outwardly express themselves? Would they be happier? More content? Unlike sports, movies or TV, no one would be relegated to the couch or the sidelines watching. All could participate - pick up a pencil, a brush, a needle.

You see, I have this theory that if each and every one of us on the planet regularly indulged in arting - this act of making something that did not exist before, of spinning straw into gold - that there would be no depressed, no alcoholics, no bodily aches and pains, no world full of people seeking happiness outside of themselves. It would come from inside, anytime, anywhere. I believe it is the repression of this innate need, this universal desire that causes unhappiness and malaise.

Now it's your turn to answer the question, "Where does art come from?" Is it innate? Hereditary? Learned? Please take a moment to share your thoughts HERE. Be sure to include your name and blog or website. I've got big plans for our collective wisdom. Help me create it.

PS Please spread the word. Ask your friends, post on your FB wall. Use the links here to email. The more thoughts we get, the richer the experience. Thanks!

Lesley Riley, The Artist Success Expert, is the creative founder of Artist Success, Solutions for the Struggling Artist. To receive her bi-weekly articles on creating your own success as an artist, visit  www.ArtistSuccess.com.

The Journey to HOME

"Everyday is a journey and the journey itself is home." -Matsuo Basho 

The following post is from Lesley Riley, a creativity coach and all around lovely person. I thought her words followed on perfectly with the recent musings about finding balance between art and life and keeping the passion to create alive. I think Lesley hits it spot on when she talks about being at home with yourself: who you are and what you do. 

If you are not happy at home (and I mean being at home with yourself), you will not be happy anywhere, not in the next class, on the cover of a magazine, buying your next art supply or in your studio. Being at home with yourself is the result of taking control of your dreams and pursuing your passions once and for all. It means taking a no excuses approach to creating the life you want. Anyone can be an artist success. It's not about what you know or even how talented you are - its about what you DO. And here's what you need to do - create your best possible life and become your best possible self.

Yes, I know, that's much, much, easier said than done, so I'm going to give you three tips that will help you get started right now.

And let me ask you....."if not now, when?

1) Write down all the things you don't like about your present situation. Now go back over the list and see which ones are a result of your inaction. The number one reason we get down on ourselves is because we don't  DO the things we say we want to do. The cold hard truth is that only YOU can make change happen. If you don't see how, then apply your creativity to yourself and figure out how to craft the life you want.

2) To be at home with yourself, create your own recipe for happiness. Check the pantry of your heart for the ingredients you have on hand and then see what you can cook up. If you find you are missing any essential ingredients, create a shopping list and set about acquiring what you need in order to lead a fulfilling life. A tablespoon of gratitude? A cup of compassion? Spreading your gifts? Mixing in a lb of self-care?

3) Start where you are. Is your physical home in conflict with your inner home? Are you just passing through? Are you using it to complement and enhance your life or is it set up for "company," to please others, or just because that's how everybody else's home looks? Your home should be a reflection of your true self. In order to be at home with yourself, your house, your home, has to be a place of your making that gives you joy. So rearrange that furniture, toss the clutter, paint a wall with chalkboard paint and color your world.

Lesley Riley, The Artist Success Expert, is the creative founder of Artist Success, Solutions for the Struggling Artist. To receive her bi-weekly articles on creating your own success as an artist, visit www.ArtistSuccess.com.