I read in a book by Steve Maxwell (a pretty well-known exercise and fitness hard-arse) a simple hack to counter workout intensity – smiling.
Next time you see someone grunting or contorting their face (you know the type – jogging or riding a bicycle and looking like they are literally on the brink of death) think of this.
Steve maintains smiling helps reduce stress by stimulating the release of endorphins – being natural painkillers, they can help workout stress (actual and attitudinal) during intense workouts. In addition smiling may also trigger the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which is responsible for the body’s rest and digest response. Promoting a higher vagal tone is a whole field of research now – but wisdom from Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong prove the knowledge is ancient.
During 2020 I was fortunate to attend a half-day Sumi-e workshop with Ken Lamb* – a master of the art. It reignited a joy in me that I felt back in the 80s when I first tried my hand at it. I will always be a beginner and a wayward one at that, but there was a joy in the quiet of it. I came away with lots of bamboo paintings – pages and pages of just leaves, or just stems, each attempt uniquely different though the aim was always the same.
Practice makes perfect! But in the days and weeks that followed, my wayward self emerged. Rather than practising to perfect the forms, I began experimenting. Although everything was inspired by that beautiful Japanese aesthetic, and the stark black ink on rice paper, I found myself exploring: Different papers, adding colour, definitely not sticking to the classic compositions and forms. It was fun.
…. a Calendar
Each year, beginning around the middle of the year, I begin to design a calendar for the following year. I design and do the artwork, get it professionally printed, and gift it to friends and family, plus sell many, donating the profits to a local school. I’ve been doing this since 2008, and each year the design is very different. In some way it reflects where I’m at in my creative journey. In all previous years, photography was the basis for the artworks. My feeling for the 2021 calendar was leaning to use the best of my Sumi-e works. For some reason this was quite scary. It seemed like I was bearing my soul more than usual. But 2020 was like that in many ways.
…. Online Marketplace
Whether it was a way of connecting during lockdown or not, I decided to upload my calendar images to Redbubble. Redbubble is a global online marketplace for print-on-demand products based on user-submitted artwork. It’s an Australian company, gone global, that I haven’t connected with for quite a long time. It was fun to choose which designs would work with which items – so many to choose from – clothing, home furnishings, bags and phone cases. I was astonished at how their offerings have expanded. Again, this was fun!
…. Wall Hanging for Home
We moved into a new home at the end of 2018, and have spent much of that time renovating and redecorating. The spaces are tall and airy, and the main entry hall with the downward stairs is no exception. This large expanse of blank wall was always one we wanted to decorate but had never been able to decide on just the right thing. Having discounted a few ideas, we decided we would make and hang three wall hangings, using three of the calendar images. It was a great project, getting the sizes and spacing correct, then arranging the printing. The hanging of them was the most precarious, suspended over the stairwell on the end of a ladder. But to us, they look great.
I’m not particularly good on the longterm commitment. I like to try lots of things, using the excitement of learner’s energy. But from one starting point, that initial Sumi-e workshop, I have journeyed into other experiences, adapting and exploring rather than starting anew.
Two months ago I’d never heard of this. Now I’m a bit of a fan. For me it’s generally a drop-in for 5 minutes when I need a break from what I’m doing, or to reset my body or mind or creative thinking. I now know that 5 minutes becomes a whole lot longer!
What is it?
For me, it’s a creative meditation. It’s a meditation practice, but it’s a life one. No eyes closed, no cushion, no no thinking. It’s breath, it’s an internally still being, but it adds movement and sensing and visual imagery and flow to the mix. It can bring me pretty quickly to that mindful flow state.
So what is it? For me, it’s using simple materials: a black artline pen and smallish pieces of paper at its simplest. I sometimes add some watercolour to them later. The reason for the smallish pieces of paper is so it’s not overwhelming, or too time consuming. It also lets you move on, and on, to new starts, so no one piece gets too precious. Less fear, less pride, less judgement. It’s easier to throw one in the bin that just didn’t look pleasing to you when you’re done with it.
It’s slow. Every line or mark or squiggle is done slowly, very slowly, and carefully. And it’s repetitive, so you don’t have to think about what to do – your mind gets a holiday. Your eyes follow the pen, your hand is finely tuned to the line being drawn. After a little while, a unique pattern forms that you have created without thinking or trying. And you want more of this quiet, stilling, creative experience.
If you’d like to try it, hop over to Mindful Art Studio. This is where I first discovered it and Amy has so much to offer on her site.
Often when we wish someone good-bye – we say “take care”. Like most language habits it’s trotted out unconsciously, just part of the sleep state we spend most of our time in.
But is it worth pondering what “take care” might mean in your day? What would it be like to approach things with care? Not so seriously to crowd-out a care-free demeanor, but…
This morning I finished a yoga session and had allowed it to be more than physical – there was more space induced by the breath, postures and released endorphins. The wind is blowing a gale today – I stepped toward the window to close it.
I’m pretty good at closing windows, done it thousands of times. So my hand grasped the window unconsciously and automatically and started to slide it shut.
Blown by gusts inside the window there were small end branches of a bush (planted outside the window). I could have easily crushed them in closing the window. Luckily* there was enough space in me to see the branches and STOP.
Still, mostly automatic, I reached to carefully moved a branch outside the window. Then everything changed – in the caring touch, I saw the scene for the first time.
I really could see it.
For the first time I watched these branches – they were flashing and sparking with the morning light as the gusts jostled them around. The tints of green, the veins of growth rippling through the leaves and the sturdy and the willowy resilience of the end stems of the branch. And the truth was there of why branches bend in a gusty wind.
It was over in a few seconds, but it was a privilege to have taken enough care with the branches to be gifted that experience in return.
So it seems that “taking care” is a great example of “give and you shall receive”**.
* The yoga had made my own luck.
** I’m not invoking Christianity with this quote, just the naturalistic experience seems to match the words.
We all drift… sometimes an hour is lost scrolling (more on that another time). Sometimes for weeks or years.
Pam recently read Julia Baird’s book Phosphorescence*. One of the key themes that resonated with Pam was “Living deliberately” – it seems a sure antidote to “drift”.
Julia Baird is a political journalist and presenter in Australia and Phosphorescence has been read by several women in my life – it’s apparently a journey worth taking.
When I looked Julia up, she is the daughter of highly regarded state politician Bruce Baird and sister of Mike Baird who became Premier in NSW. Julia, aside from writing, co-hosts a political affairs show on the ABC, so this family are full of public service and lives very deliberately.
Discussing “Living deliberately” (over toast), we brainstormed what that might mean. We came up with:
2 big dimensions: Personal (self) and World (others)
Combined with:
WHATS (principles of “living deliberately”)
HOWS (tools, rhythms and skills)
NOURISHMENT (things that bring joy and recharge your resources)
Above is one visualisation. We also thought “Living well” or “Living a good life” might have a little more balance than just the mental fortitude of “living deliberately”. It’s far from perfect but it might be a useful reminder for us and others.
Drop us a note if you think we’ve missed something or could make it better.
We’ll write a few blog posts on some of the sections – any idea which should be first?
Below is another visualisation of the same content.
* Phosphorescence: On Awe, Wonder & the Things that Sustain You When the World Goes Dark (HarperCollins)
Winter is coming to a close. Get a jump start on the awakening of Spring with some sensory outing to stimulate the creative muscle.
QVB After Dark
455 George Street, Sydney Throughout August https://www.qvb.com.au/#after-dark
After Dark Tour Series – just a little spooky After Dark Live Event – Thu 22 Heart of the QVB – an immersive installation
Cherry Blossom Festival
Auburn Botanic Gardens Sat 17 – Sun 25 https://www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/sydney-cherry-blossom-festival A feast for all your senses – cherry blossom, Japanese snacks (Adam Liaw), an izakaya serving cherry blossom flower sake.
Luminous
A multi-sensory concert experience Sat 17 – Fri 23 https://www.aco.com.au/whats-on/2019/luminous Singer-songwriter Lior, photographer Bill Henson and the Australian Chamber Orchestra join for a visual and aural feast.
It reminded me again of the possibilities that await if I am continually opening myself to their arrival.
Some historical background
Ancient Greece and ancient Rome did not believe that creativity came from human beings but believed it was a divine spirit that visited human beings from somewhere.
The Greeks called these spirits “daemons” and Socrates believed his wisdom came to him from a daemon.
The Romans also believed in this creative spirit but called it a “genius”. However, they did not think that a genius was particularly clever – just a magical divine entity, who would come out and invisibly assist the artist with their work.
Jump to the Renaissance. People started to believe that creativity came completely from the individual. So, for the first time in history, people started referring to an artist as beinga genius, rather than having a genius. This puts an incredible demand on the artist!
Back to now
I would guess that almost anyone involved in creative pursuits, whether they be of the “agreed” “artistic” kind – painting, writing, design, dance, … – or the rest – business, parenting, relationships, life! … has had that moment of inspiration, that spark of an idea, that gift. Being aware of its arrival can be a joy and a scramble to jot it down, capture it in that moment before it’s gone and perhaps forgotten.
The saying “First thought, best thought” also captures this fly-in spark. As a designer, I would often be gifted with this during the initial briefing for a new job. I would be scratching it down on paper as the conversation continued. Invariably, as was convention, three designs were submitted, post briefing.
Once I’d completed the gifted piece, then was the slog began to deliver up the two others to meet the brief’s requirements. But, for me, it was always that first gifted one that was the winner.
I recall rightly or wrongly, (see box below for the facts!) a famous New York adman from the sixties saying to a client, when they requested three designs, “No. You’ll get one design – the right design.” I haven’t been able to track this down as fact – maybe it was a scene from the hit show Mad Men! ,
an Interesting example – Steve Jobs approached Paul Rand and asked him to design the NeXT identity. Paul stipulated that $100,000 would be paid upfront, he would design one identity/logo and Steve would have to like it or lump it.
It takes a confident designer to take this approach, but it also takes a very confident client to accept!
Day to day reality
But most of us don’t have that kind of confidence.
Few of us can we call upon the genius – at will and on-demand. But some of us practice to make this visit more possible.
What we can do is to be open to the moment – because you never know when the spark will come. We can be curious and keep playing with what comes our way – then we are honing our skills to welcome the genius.
The sensation that is Marie Kondo has the magic of old truths that ring true being repackaged in a new and exciting antidote to a very common malaise – clutter.
Thankfully the last decade has grown a number of movements attacking the very Western (primarily North American) conspicuous consumption and excess.
These movements like: Minimalism, Digital Nomadism, Veganism all call bullshit on a fixed abode filled to the brim with lettuce spinners, outdoor furniture, a garage full of unused adult toys (exercise equipment, not the others – ahem) and wardrobes full of once-worn clothes.
The spark in Marie’s approach is that an object must “Spark Joy” to be worth keeping. The spirit of Marie’s method is an interesting observation that you don’t decide from some ideology or “ism” – you apply your own personal emotional response as your guide.
So too with creativity!
Debilitating Clutter?
Some people defer creative action because they feel paralysed by the clutter and disorder of their workspace.
Others celebrate being surrounded by the tools of their trade.
The photo of Einstein below is not one of a mundane scientist but a fabulously creative thinker, his writings outside science are also worth a read. Clearly clutter was not debilitating to this creator.
Recently, popular startup investor Naval Ravikant (@naval) and clear thinker, commented that he leaves books lying around the house and picks them up when the fancy takes him – skipping through the irrelevant cruft and not fearing that serendipity comes from outside himself. Perhaps conversely Paul Graham (@paulg) gets serendipity from the chaos of second-hand bookstores.
Is internal mental clutter the actual problem?
We fixate on the external, we blame external conditions. But if we look closer it’s not the external clutter but our internal response to the environment around us that is the big deal.
If Marie Kondo tidied Albert’s office it may look great but we may have less scientific breakthroughs! So it’s clear that Albert had an exceptional ability to focus and mentate with incredible clarity to the exclusion of the surrounding mayhem. Legend is that Nikola Tesla would complete an invention in his mind before making the project manifest in the material world.
So these people are just a snapshot – others love to write books in noisy cafes. So it’s not JUST limited to geniuses.
Creative Clutter Exercise
Self-awareness** of what triggers Marie’s state of “Sparks Joy” within is the key here.
It’s an observation that is richer than dry mindfulness. Here’s a practice you can try:
If you are a grub (you like chaos and mess). Get yourself to a library or even more grotesque – a conference room. Something that is as ordered or as sterile as you can find.
If you are a neat-freak, get yourself to a cafe, a gym, a playground, a food-court in a shopping centre.
Now get in touch with a sense of “joy”. Write, draw or code something around you that sparks that joy. Feel this inside.
Can you do this immersed in an environment that you would normally whinge about?
Do you have enough “self-awareness” to note that the environment is objective but your criticism is just a habitual response?
Can you take something from this opposite (“can you find beauty in a conference room”?, “can you find stillness in a shopping center”? I assure you I’ve experienced both – I shit you not).
Any benefit?
Is it possible that you’ve now strengthened your creative muscle? That you are a more creative supple athlete?
Does Marie Kondo inspire us to throw out some old mental clutter that has been stifling our creative spirit?
Have we used external circumstances to foster self-doubt and postphone “JUST DO IT”?
We’d love to hear, hit us up!
Postscript: Sense of Completion
Many people love, love, love the thrill of a good tidy-up.
The endorphin’s of an easily achieved goal can be an addictive distraction. We have unread books, messy bedrooms, unwashed plates – they are all awesome tools in getting a “hit” of the good stuff during the day – but don’t let them thieve from your creative schedule.
Make internal space for both.
** Everyone claims "self-awareness" but have no objective proof or realization that its an onion (a topic for another blog post)
Taking yourself on a weekly Artist’s Date (that’s a date with yourself) as an opportunity to let yourself follow your curiosities, is part of the creative awakening process in the book, The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron, a 12 week do-it-yourself creativity course.
Here are seven inspirations for July:
1. The National Biennial of New Australian Art Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney Until Jul 21 2019 The latest ideas & forms in contemporary Australian art
2. The Essential Duchamp Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney Until Aug 11 2019 Discover the stories behind the art
3. Michael Armitage: The Promised Land Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), The Rocks Until Sep 22 2019 Oils grounded in the social fabric and political dynamics of East Africa
4. Shaun Gladwell: Pacific Undertow Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), The Rocks Jul 19 2019-Oct 7 2019 Cutting edge artist pushing the technological possibilities of 21st century art
5. Wellama The Cutaway, Barangaroo Until Dec 31 2019 New, ten-minute filmed artwork
6. A Drone Opera Carriageworks, Eveleigh Until Jul 28 2019 Haze, lasers and opera singers, and a cage
7. 52 Artists, 52 Actions Artspace, Wooloomooloo Until Aug 4 2019 52 artists, 31 countries, 1 week to make a statement
The Look – it’s important – whether it’s a one-off unique and personal item, a fully crafted corporate brand or a family of diverse cross media pieces.
The Feel – it’s what stops me in the street to take a longer look, what makes me respect, empathise, love, read, keep. Every piece has to reach out and touch me.
The Work – 10% inspiration, 90% perspiration. We all love and remember when the flash of inspiration is gifted to us. Respect it with good work.
And the Inspiration – read, walk, photograph, play, dance, meditate, visit, chat, laugh, give, share, draw, love, value, wish, live, smile, be open.
“A designer knows when she has achieved perfection, not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away” – inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupery