As an illustrator, designer, and photographer, I draw on things I see and have a haphazard mental notebook – which if it were an actual notebook would have random ideas in only the loosest semblance of order, either chronological or topical. To get started, I have to get in front of the canvas, ignore my phone which is often on vibrate or occasionally in airplane mode to avoid distractions, and I have to often place myself where there’s no convenient way out. This is similar to a story I heard about Alexander the Great of Greece who, upon arriving in Persia during his conquests, ordered his men to burn their ships stating that they would either succeed in their conquest and return home in Persian ships taken from their enemies or die. My approach is less extreme in consequence. For example if I want to do a series of paintings, I will trap myself by arranging an art show at a café which will then obligate me to do the work. Another trap is to go to a location to do photography right before rush hour so that the consequence of changing my mind and returning home is unthinkable as rush hour traffic falls into the “bane of my existence” category. 

Once in front of the canvas, or in the neighborhood I want to photograph, or sitting with my design software open (I prefer Affinity Design Suite), I begin to mentally sort the ideas. Often, having a sketchpad nearby to brainstorm or organize thoughts helps when doing desk work. In the field, shooting photos perhaps, it’s all in my head cycling through a Rolodex of ideas and things I’ve seen from other photographers that I may want to try or I just jump into the moment and look around for inspiration. As a designer, I love finding photographic compositions that look like good design layouts (think rule-of-thirds, contrast, texture, etc). In the book “The Creative Habit: Learn it and use if for life: a practical guide” author and creative Twyla Tharp explains that we must develop habits to ready ourselves for the blank canvas, empty dance studio, blank page. I agree, there’s a certain amount of preparation and once in place, the creativity can just flow like a faucet, but without these things, I can find myself feeling empty or blocked. When this happens, I have to start my preparation over and ready myself. 

Once I have begun the work, I completely lose track of time and other ideas and just flow into creating. In this mind state, which can never be forced or willed into manifestation without fostering the readiness, the ideas jump out! They begin to fuse to other ideas and now I’m creating at a higher level. Suspending all other interests during this time is very important. There will always be taxes, phone calls to return, emails to check, these things need to be forgotten during the flow state. 

What’s your creative practice? Tell me in the comments! I would love any suggestions so let’s grow together.

Cheers,
Daniel 

References: 

Tharp, T., & Reiter, M. (2003). The creative habit: Learn it and use it for life : a practical guide. New York: Simon & Schuster.