For half a century I have experienced different creative projects and have witnessed artists of different media. Some of these were successful and others were not. Considering what has worked I have determined the common path for all who would be creative. I call this the Muse’s Path.
The Muse’s Path
The steps on this path are:
1. Heart & Soul
The first step is to completely love whatever one does. Be interested in the content. Enjoy the medium(media) in which one works. And respect not just the perceived audience for one’s work, but all people — one never knows who might stumble on one’s work in this Internet era.
“Passion is one great force that unleashes creativity, because if you’re passionate about something, then you’re more willing to take risks.”
Yo-Yo Ma
https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/y/yoyo_ma.html
2. Craft & Cosmos
The second step is to study everything. Learn the various techniques of one’s art or writing, and what works best. Seek understanding of one’s content; is one consistent and believable? Know the universe and all it contains, both to satisfy one’s curiosity and for context of one’s content.
“All is grist for the mill”
A proverb
3. Tight Rope Walking
The next step involves balancing. Becoming a calm center in one’s life, including one’s creative work. As the planets orbit the sun which shines on them, allow the various ideas and processes one has learned spin around one. Regard each of them from a quiet center where they can also be touched.
“So it is with living life to the fullest. We don’t have to adhere to the strict regimen an Olympic athlete would, but in order to function at our best, we definitely need to balance taking care of ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually. Focusing too much on any one facet catches up with us and leads to health problems in the neglected area.”
By Z. Hereford
The Importance of Maintaining Balance
http://www.essentiallifeskills.net/balance.html
“I would advise dancers, musicians and others in the entertainment industry to take up yoga, as it clears the mind and creates a sense of balance and stillness which is important for any performing artist.”
Emmanuel Jal
https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/e/emmanuel_jal.html
4. Phoenixes
Creativity is the crux of this step. There is a lot about being creative through the various arts and writing. One rearranges or modifies what one has already learned into something new from bits of the old, whether in content or medium or both. From the dust from what has been are new hatchlings.
“Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.”
Edward de Bono
https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/e/edward_de_bono.html
5. Sharing
The arts and writing are forms of communication – ways of self expression for the creative, but also the way in which we all learn about life and our universe. One creates so others might gain insight regarding who one is and how one chooses to live. By sharing one’s understanding of the universe one enriches the lives of others.
- It’s tough to have a fulfilling creative career by playing it safe and keeping your work to yourself.
- The things you are afraid of doing the most are where you’ll find the most growth.
- Sharing your creativity will reveal you to yourself as well.
- You have a creative gift and there is a demand for it somewhere in the world.
- If someone can dislike your work, then someone else can surely love it.
- By showing up and putting energy and passion into your work, you’ll attract others to your cause.
Scotty Russell
3 Reasons to Start Sharing Your Creativity With the World Right Now
http://perspective-collective.com/sharing-your-creativity/
This Blog
Pantarbica examines all steps and aspects of the Muse’s Path. As appropriate in the future I will give my opinion where on this path various curated pieces as well as my own works would be.
pantarbica.com