At the Water’s Edge by Winslow Homer. This stunning watercolor shows, without drawing attention away from the work itself, the power he must’ve had over his tools AND mind.
“You can’t get along without a knowledge of the principles and rules governing the influence of one color upon another. A mechanic might as well try to get along without tools.” — Winslow Homer, Artist
First off, thank you for continuing to follow this blog despite my rather long and unusual absence. I promise to reward you with more regular and even more meaningful discussions in the future ahead — again, without the invasiveness of any advertising and completely free of charge/obligations of any sort.
In this post, we’ll begin to talk about principles, which will be followed up by a series of posts that will expand upon a set of rules that I, myself, attempt to live by.
There are three constants in life… change, choice and principles.” — Stephen Covey, Author Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Over the years, and especially the last several years since I began this blog, I have been formulating a set of rules that would provide the kind of framework from which to build and live a creative and meaningful life. They have been formulated (and reformulated) from years of success and failure, experiencing both enlightenment and suffering, and after much analysis and deep reflection. I’m no guru or world famous psychologist/philosopher (although I’ve read many of them) just an artist and teacher. But I do believe what I’m about to share can serve some usefulness for a creative individual, or anyone for that matter, hoping to find greater levels of fulfillment.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” — Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of The United States.
A dignified and heroic portrait of Abraham Lincoln by artist George Healy. Lincoln was one of the greatest leaders in history. He lived by his principles despite constant obstacles and failure, going against the establishment insisting on freedom for all and ultimately abolishing slavery in America.
We all need some guidelines to live by. Whether it be the governing of countries or individual creative living, without a written constitution or a set of moral principles, things slide into chaos and simply do not survive. Systems and individuals need order to function properly. And when it comes to our personal lives, it’s best that these rules be formulated by oneself rather than by others. Study and learn from others (the sources can come from anywhere: a religious leader, a professor, a favorite artist/writer or a combination there of) but make your guide to living uniquely your own. It’s a huge undertaking, but I tell you, it’s worth it. And know that this will take time, especially if you’re still young.
“Sometimes we have to question the obvious to get to the truth.” — Vicki Robin, Writer
One of the most creative minds in animation, the ageless Richard Williams has been a groundbreaking pioneer and continues to be in his complete devotion to the excellence and innovation of his craft.
From a pragmatic standpoint, rules are necessary because we humans too easily stray from doing what’s good for us and for the world at large. Entropy — the scientific phenomenon of things eventually moving from higher order to lower order — proves that we have to engage and work at things just to keep them from weakening or dying (just as muscles and bone density naturally diminish with age). The universe is constantly expanding and energy dissipates. So, too, does our ability to sustain focus and live with discipline — i.e. the direction and will to proceed with one’s original intentions. When we live without order, we risk engaging in thoughts and activities that damage our minds and bodies, and those of others, like when we abandon moral structure and ignore our conscience. In our current self-absorbed, consumption-driven society — where both companies and artists have no shame in appropriating, stealing and even exploiting the works of others (or their persons) AND get handsomely rewarded for it — there can be no greater need nor more timely call for conscientious structure.
“Consciousness illuminates itself by paying attention to it.” — Albert Camus, Writer
In discussing the upcoming rules, we must remember that, as artists, our creativity hinges on our ability to really observe and imagine and, thereafter, act. As has been preached time and time again here, this “magic” is not born out of chaos but structure. It is through regular positive engagement and healthy rituals that free the mind from its grip on fear. Only then can forces greater than ourselves emerge to assist and allow us to create. Having principles forces us to abide by a call for consistency of action and attitude. There is incredible beneficial power in repetition and monotony (as long as it’s the “good stuff” that’s repeated). Often times, when I’ve found myself having a marvelous experience or making something beautiful, I will look at it and say “I don’t even remember how it happened or how I did it.” But I always know that none of it happens without the proper thinking and doing that comes before its fruition. Living by a set of rules enables us to be more in tune with such creative capacity and meaning. Contrary to popular thinking, structure enables creativity, just as freedom only emerges from discipline.
“Art is such an action. It is a kindred form of action to idealism.” — Mark Rothko, Artist
Yellow Over Purple by Mark Rothko. One of the most prominent artists of Abstract Expressionism, Rothko “painted the impossible” — he painted emotion.
One by one, I’ll be revealing my own personal rules (I call them rules rather than laws because laws are universal and these have been humbly selected by me for me). They might serve you also or they might not. Like I said, you will need to find your own. What I have found is that whenever I have strayed from these rules, the outcomes — creative or otherwise — suffer greatly, as do my own levels of happiness and meaning.
Up next:
Rules for Creative Living: Rule #1 — HONOR
