Does creativity need a treat?

March generally arrives on momentum and fumes, and down-shifting from full speed doesn’t always come without grinding a few gears. The paints are out, the panels are ready, but my head is still spinning.

“Beauty is not caused. It is.” – Emily Dickinson

We are well into the first part of the Learning To See course, and all of the hard work and creativity I’m witnessing is inspiring. The enthusiasm this year is next level. I’m ready to jump in too, but instead, I’m going to focus on slowing down and taking it all in.

Inspiration doesn’t respond well to demands. She lets our messages go straight to voicemail and checks in on them as her schedule permits.

“Theo” – 18″ x 24″- oil on canvas- Gabriel Mark Lipper

Creativity is a cat. She chooses you. In the meantime, all you need to do is show up and be ready to let her in. But don’t worry, she’s coming. She may tease you standing at the open door or darting away when you call, but eventually, she’ll come in, and begin purring in your lap. That’s the best.

This shift from fast to slow takes time. My March and April have become the time for the germination of ideas and not necessarily for final results, and that took me a while to learn too.

So I make room, I get ready. I begin with old photos, that charge up my memories, and remind me of the stories I like to share. I make little sketches. I listen and observe. And eventually (and inevitability) the muse returns.

I’ll be here with a warm saucer of milk.

Do you slow down enough to create?

Are you comfortable with not knowing?

Does creativity need a treat?