What are your creative/artistic pursuits?

[Siamanto]

Re: What are your creative/artistic pursuits?

For my own work I must have lol but like I stated earlier it's not the same state of mind, perhaps in the most basic of levels as in "I'm creating something out of nothing" type of feeling but overall the first time you do anything is always a little more exciting, to me, than every time after



It certainly does not ... or maybe it does but it's just a a significantly smaller amount of "downtime" i.e. some artists may just need a day or two to get reinvigorated where others might take years. Not all flowers bloom as frequently, or for as long, as others ;-)



Well joking aside perhaps the difference in school and life is that you're very care-free so inspiration comes from every little exciting thing that happens, and then as you get older the more mature mind seeks inspiration from more complex sources like bad relationships. Seriously ... I know several artists that subconsciously put themselves into horrible relationships from which they derive some of their best songs. So as artists we constantly seek out what we unconsciously need to become inspired and those motivators often become more complex over time. There are exceptions to every rule though and sunsets still get me inspired, clouds too lol Those are pretty basic and plentiful so I'm glad I have those!!



creativity to me means the process of producing something unique, and artful means for something to posses unique elements that can be observed through the various senses. =p How's that? lol

Lamb Boy,
I will reply to your post ASAP. Unfortunately, my schedule is too tight, and as the topic is of importance to me, a late reply is preferable to a half baked, half expressed one??? Thanks!

In the meantime, what do you think of "Poetry Slam?" I liked Gil-Scott Heron, but was little impressed by the others. I discovered "Poetry Slam" through a "Grand Corps Malade;" his lyrics are playfully intelligent.

[Lamb Boy]

Re: What are your creative/artistic pursuits?

I was wondering where you went! I noticed that this thread seemed to mean something to you which is cool! I will check out the links and get back with you !!

[jgk3]

Re: What are your creative/artistic pursuits?

I find that downturns in our lives aren't the source of creativity per say, but events that force us to break from the status quo, and try new things, look at the world in new ways. When you use your new found direction to fill up whatever void you had incurred, you are left with significant creative energy too!

[Lamb Boy]

Re: What are your creative/artistic pursuits?

I find both inspirational ... let's be honest how many love songs that you know of were not partially, or completely inspired by the "ups and downs" of a real relationship!

[jgk3]

Re: What are your creative/artistic pursuits?

Yeah, you're right.

[Siamanto]

Re: What are your creative/artistic pursuits?

For my own work I must have lol but like I stated earlier it's not the same state of mind, perhaps in the most basic of levels as in "I'm creating something out of nothing" type of feeling but overall the first time you do anything is always a little more exciting, to me, than every time after

Maybe the "state of mind" changes, as we become less candid and more "blasé " - i.e. loss of the magical dimension; however, the intensity of the loss (of magic) depends on
1. The specific individual
2. The circumstances of life
3. Environment i.e. working with financial bankers while leaving in an "upscale" neighborhood promotes much less creativity than working with artists while leaving in a more "dynamic" neighborhood

My point is/was that it is not a fatality and can be "managed" - i.e. stimulated, nurtured etc. - at least to a certain degree.
(I don't like the word "manage," but I can't think of the "right" word!)

It certainly does not ... or maybe it does but it's just a a significantly smaller amount of "downtime" i.e. some artists may just need a day or two to get reinvigorated where others might take years. Not all flowers bloom as frequently, or for as long, as others ;-)

The analogy with flowers is opportune, as the blossoming depends also on the gardener, the soil, the climate etc. The blossoming can be "managed???"

Well joking aside perhaps the difference in school and life is that you're very care-free so inspiration comes from every little exciting thing that happens, and then as you get older the more mature mind seeks inspiration from more complex sources like bad relationships.

The choice of the expression "care-free" suggests that "aging" not only means "losing the magic," but also "losing the will???" I am really fascinated by the will of children.
Again, I don't view aging as a fatality, but a" manageable" process.

Seriously ... I know several artists that subconsciously put themselves into horrible relationships from which they derive some of their best songs. So as artists we constantly seek out what we unconsciously need to become inspired and those motivators often become more complex over time.

That's one technique to "manage" and stimulate a creative state of mind!

There are exceptions to every rule though and sunsets still get me inspired, clouds too lol Those are pretty basic and plentiful so I'm glad I have those!!

I am also inspired by "open spaces" - i.e. horizon, etc. - and water; but, I'm also inspired by the game of children, the movements of a graceful woman, the idiosyncrasy of some, street scenes...i.e. poetry of life
Of course, the intensity(energy) of the above cannot be compared to the intensity of a heartache or falling in love.

creativity to me means the process of producing something unique, and artful means for something to posses unique elements that can be observed through the various senses. =p How's that? lol

How can you measure it? Doesn't measuring/comparing imply a certain abstraction that takes away what is unique?

[One-Way]

Re: What are your creative/artistic pursuits?

To be completely honest, I am in constant pursuit of my artistic abilities. I was always reading as a child; I also began painting and drawing, and later went to art classes on the weekend. I was always interested in film, so I started putting together plays with my younger cousins and writing scripts. As I got older, I slowly drifted away from the art classes and didn't draw as much.

With our camcorder, I started filming documentaries, short films, and other comedic videos. Once my family owned a computer, I started learning everything I could about it. In high school and until this day, I started working with graphic designing; I started developing websites for my personal use and for businesses, designed company logos and graphics, etc. I also started writing journals and articles, and started posting them on websites and blogs.

During high school, I fell in love with music. I started producing and recording with a dynamic microphone and eventually moved on to better equipment. By 19, I had produced several albums for people I got in connection with, from all around California to Florida. Songs I personally recorded were played on radio stations (mainly Internet radio stations and smaller, less known stations) all throughout. I had my songs play in Canada, Poland, Germany, as well as many states in America. I got in contact with several producers and started performing throughout Los Angeles, on very well known stages (The Knitting Factory).

I'm 20 now and it's time to focus on my future; and even though I have hobbies, I concentrate on what's important right now. I'm a film major and pursuing my dream, one I have had since a child. I want to use my creative abilities to work in film production; screenwriting, directing, and producing. I constantly keep myself busy with what I can. I still design websites and I have done so for many businesses, and I'm even working on one for myself, where I'll be hosting all my work from graphic design to filmmaking. I guess, personally, I like to be creative. I like displaying my work and receiving feedback - whether it's good or bad - we learn and do a better job next time. I believe I have a vision I would like to set forth and one day bring to life.

[jgk3]

Re: What are your creative/artistic pursuits?

that's awesome! You didn't fall into the trap of never trying to seriously follow your childhood dream while you were still young, I think that's a victory in itself (I'm sure I sounded like an old fart, right there :P). I wish you all the best.

[One-Way]

Re: What are your creative/artistic pursuits?

Thank you.

[jgk3]

Re: What are your creative/artistic pursuits?

for the past while, I've been trying to pour my hours into my classical piano program so I could finally finish the last level of studies for the conservatory I
write my exams in.

I am playing a challenging program that requires 8 hours of study a day to execute properly (though I've never studied more than 5 hours in a day which I achieved for the first time last week. I've been slacking off this week however and I'm not happy with that).

My program includes a study from Czerny (opus 636 no.18)

A study from Chopin called from Trois nouvelles Etudes, I play the third one and I find it very unique and strange, yet melodically poetic for an instrumental work: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_%C3%8...3_%28Chopin%29

Prelude and Fugue in C minor from Bach's Well Tempered Clavier Book 2

Beethoven's last movement in "Sonata Pathetique" (8th Sonata, opus 13)

An Impromptu from Schubert (opus 90)

And Paderewski's famous Minuet in G major

I also have to do a lot of technique training categorized by scales, chords and arpeggios. To complete one round of a single category at a single starting tempo, it could take me 2 hours and it is very tedious, I don't appreciate doing this very much.

I feel incompetent because for a serious pianist who's at my level, my program is of average-mediocre calibur at best in terms of difficulty and complexity, yet I still am not doing an excellent job. I find it hard to push myself in this domain because of my diverse interests, the fact that I like fresh air, sports, exercise, my martial arts, oh and who could forget, coming onto these boards to see who's posted something new since the last time!

But if I get an 85 on my exam this year, my piano teacher will give me her high quality Yamaha upright piano. It's on June 16th, I hope I can do it.

I thought I'd share this with you all because maybe it would inspire equally detailed responses of large projects you're working on or have worked on in the past.