The Inner Dialogue that Transpires in Creating Art and Writing

As I was painting today, I became acutely aware of the presence of the inner dialogue that transpires in creating art and writing. It is fascinating how similarly these thought processes occur in both artistic expressions. Like writing, creating art is a language, a conversation we have within our minds and those relationships that occur among the forms, colors, and textures we choose to use.

A single line has a power all its own.  And then, once a new line is introduced, just as a phrase or word is repeated in prose, it will underscore, emphasize, and immediately establish a relationship among other forms and phrases. A form or color that is dissimilar or incongruent with others will stand out and may appear to be disconnected, just as a phrase can be obtrusive if inserted in a prominent or incorrect place.

The choice to introduce a new element may be intentional or not, and where we place it may either enhance or appear out of sync with the other components.

Gustav Klimt proclaimed, “Art is a line around your thoughts.” Whether we are totally conscious of these thoughts that require decisions to be made, or it has become so much of our automatic creative process, they still exist.

Every new component in the creative process has relevance and establishes a relationship. As Piet Mondrian reminds us, “Everything is expressed through relationship. Colour can exist only through other colours, dimension through other dimensions, position through other positions that oppose them. That is why I regard relationship as the principal thing.”

As we take the first steps, write or draw the first line, what thoughts occur?

Before beginning the creative project, a writer or artist may set their intentions. They may simply desire to be authentic and create from a higher consciousness that will help them draw from a positive energy source.

Barbara Hepworth mused, “Before I start carving the idea must be almost complete. I say ‘almost’ because the really important thing seems to be the sculptor’s ability to let his intuition guide him over the gap between conception and realization without compromising the integrity of the original idea.”

An artist or writer may ask, where and how should I begin? As that question comes to mind we may recall the words of Wassily Kandinsky who quipped so very succinctly: “Everything starts from a dot.”

With every additional mark…

Does it flow or is it disjointed?

What should I add? Remove?

Where should I repeat the image, color, idea, or pattern?

Does the addition of this element enhance or negate my purpose?

Our Relationship With the Audience
We may also ponder the relationship we are developing as we create art or write an essay.  Such questions arise as, am I connecting with the viewer or reader and how?

Is what I am trying to express clear or muddled?

The Final Process
As we come to the ending of our creative process such questions come to mind… 

Is my objective complete and satisfactory?

Should I stop now?

Alas, should I have stopped sooner?

Taming the Mental Chatter
Our thoughts cannot be denied and at best they serve to guide us. However, it’s important to tame the “monkey mind” that may sometimes be our foe, torment us, and thwart the forces of creative freedom. Too much mental chatter can disrupt the creative flow.

It is wise to follow the sage advice of Yayoi Kusamah who shared, “I have a flood of ideas in my mind. I just follow my vision.”

And of course let us hold close the words of the beloved Marc Chagall: “If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing.”