Source of Creativity - It Begins with the Creator

A flatlay from a book I illustrated - The Child's Place

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in an pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul." - John Muir

The source of creativity can feel like an elusive 'thing' that artists and makers of all sorts need to chase down at all cost. Yet, many creatives will agree that when they truly are in flow state, it seems to just flow. It's not so much chasing down, grappling with, or wrestling - and more just like giving in, leaning back, and dwelling.

In my own journey as a creative (through paint, words, and bringing order from chaos), I have found that creativity comes when I make space for it. When I HOLD space for it.

"Don't chase inspiration. Prepare space for it. Feed it beauty, stillness, presence and action. That's how creativity flows again." - Molesey Bridgette

Just earlier this week, as I was sipping on a latte made by my husband in a fine white porcelain cup, I vented to him that my creative cup is feeling rather empty these days.

He's a winemaker and so I tried to express something to him, when I said: "It's like I'm expected to be making wine right now but there are no grapes. I have nothing to process. Nothing is coming in."

He responded by saying, "Well, it might be time to clean your press then." He was kidding, but I realized how true it is. I am learning to prioritize 'gathering grapes' and spending some time on maintenance if the muse isn't particularly loud on any given day.

"Creativity is not the possession of some special talents. It's about the willingness to play." - John Cleese

'Gathering grapes' looks like consuming a bit again. (I tend to just create-create-create). So, I will intentionally step back from my laptop where writing jobs wait, and take a big delicious bite of something different instead. I might go for a long walk in nature, or listen to a podcast as I garden, or I will look up and try out interior decorating styles that I enjoy. Taking the pressure off, these activities help me to just arrive where I am.

"When you are creating beauty around you, you are restoring your own soul." - Alice Walker

Once I've arrived there, I have a moment to look around. No kidding- it's like I'm seeing things afresh for the first time. And THAT is when I notice I was never alone in the mess of it all. Squinting my eyes I make out a silhouette. I gasp. It's Him!

The Source of living water that never runs dry. The Daily Bread (fresh manna) for every season. The One who whispers Heavenly ideas and gives Divine inspiration.

When I'm connected to - abiding in - God, it all seems to flow rather easily all of a sudden. It is when I disconnect from this space and try to do it from my own strength that I run dry, exhausted, and get that feeling of - 'I'm just so over it'.

"We must do worldly jobs, but if we do them with sanctified minds, they become offerings to God." - A.W. Tozer

My creative journey is still unfolding. I have a long ways to go.

These days my creativity is mainly based in weaving words together, but I long for paint-stained fingertips and mistaking my watercolor cup for my coffee cup (if you know you know!). Yet I accept that this season is for something different, and when the time comes, my creativity will take on the next form.

It always does because He always beckons deeper