Saturday, 22 September 2012

  • A Few Thoughts on Creative Work

    By Sam at Creative Theology

    This painting was a huge influence in my thinking and writing process, which led to Creative Theology. Even when I didn’t realize it.

    But a Vapor

    When an artists creates out of an awareness that they, and their work, is but a vapor, and that no amount of acclaim will satisfy the deep longings of their soul, the creative process can begin in a healthy way. From this place, an artist can create out of a fullness of the soul that only comes when our value is measured inside of our relationship with the Creator. In these moments, we refuse to pick up the burden of making something of ourselves in our attempt to make something for ourselves. We simply follow the whisper of the Spirit, and respond in whatever way we know how.

    The Artist’s Human’s Struggle

    I had a professor in college say all great writers struggle somewhere between extreme egotism and severe self-deprecation. I think he’s right.

    I think it’s indicative of the artist’s soul.

    I think is indicitive of the human soul.

    Bastardized Creativity is Utility

    The couple in the garden was instructed to join God in the creation process. To reflect his creative spirit in their tending to his creation. After the fall, however, they transitioned into creating for utility. Rather than dressing the garden, they began to use the garden to dress themselves. They created to fulfill a need; to make themselves feel better. To borrow a definition from the dictionary, utility is something, “designed chiefly for use or service rather than beauty, high quality, or the like.”

    Quotes

    Creativity is an instinct to produce.
    Bruce Ario

    Creativity shouldn’t seem like something otherworldly. It shouldn’t seem like a process reserved for artists or inventors or other “creative types.” The human mind, after all, has the creative impulse built into its operating system, hard-wired into its most essential programming code.
    The thing is not to get self-conscious. It’s like playing the piano; if you play the piano and suddenly start looking at your fingers, thinking ‘what the hell is all that about?” the music will stop.
    - Sir Ken Robinson

    The reason I keep making movies is I hate the last thing I did. I’m trying to rectify my wrongs.
    Jaoquin Phoenix

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  • SamMahlstadt
    • From: SamMahlstadt
    • Name: Sam
    • About Me: I am a graduate of the University of Iowa, where I studied English and Religious Studies. I am passionate about seeing the local church living in genuine relationship and maintaining a global mindset.
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