Week 8

Last Week:

I investigated Creativity from the Perspective of Problem Solving and intended to Brainstorm in an attempt to discover a Problem to solve with Intent that relates to an Aspect of my Subject – Downy Woodpeckers.

This week(s):

I found structuring my Brainstorming around Creative Problem Solving paralyzed my journey through the Creative Process – so much so that I felt unable to write about my findings.

Instead, I was forced to accept stagnation, and I re-engaged with the process by revisiting and revising my work thus far. This adjustment provided new learning, and I hope a path forward to my next Creation.

“I have experienced this sort of Paralysis before when trying to write Music, or capture Photographs – the pursuit itself soured by a desire to discover something completely new”

Facing Creative Paralysis.

🤔 🤷🏼‍♂️ 😑 🤷🏼‍♂️ 😔 🤷🏼‍♂️ 😞

Creative Paralysis

Last week I got stuck. I intended to Brainstorm Mediums for expressing my Subject – the Downy Woodpecker.

Instead, I became preoccupied with finding a Problem to solve with Intent in hopes that I would discover a unique Creative Output.

This impasse made me realize that I had chosen a Constraint that was too conceptual and too broad to provide a clear path forward.

I have experienced this sort of Paralysis before when trying to write Music, or capture Photographs – the pursuit itself soured by a desire to discover something completely new.

I found several Aspects of Downy Woodpeckers that would provide sufficient Kindling for Inspiration to Create something related to that Subject. Instead, I got hung up on trying to find something New, something Unique, something that Solved a Problem.

Those ambitions will have to wait.

While I hope to ultimately solve Problems by bringing together concepts and mediums in new ways, in this early stage I should focus on building my ability to deliver Creative Outputs.

My assumption is that the Outputs will apply more broadly and uniquely as I Create more of them.

Revisitation & Revision

In order to advance past this moment of Paralysis I decided to revisit my work on this Blog to date. I found looking back through my work to date reminded me what I have learned so far.

I ended up Revising several posts (you’ll never know the difference!) and polished my understanding of what has transpired so far in this Exploration.

As I continue to Explore the Creative Process, I am sure that I will Revisit and Revise my prior Work, Assumptions, and Expectations.

In the past I have obsessed over prior creative successes and allowed those successes to breed complacency towards further Creation.

I am determined to prevent this sort of Paralysis and Obsession from obstructing progress.

📜 👨🏼‍🎓 📜

Études

In the simplest definition, an étude is a study of a Subject designed to improve technique and skill.

I have decided that in order to gain Creative Momentum and develop my Creative Muscle to Produce Creations that I will engage in a rapid series of études related to the Birds in our yard, rather than walk through the entire Creative Process from Incubation to Creation for each individual Subject.

This means that I will spend less energy determining the Creative Medium, establishing Constraints, defining Intent, or linking the Creation to a particular Problem.

This means that each week, until further notice, I’m going to just pick a Medium and a Bird and Create.

This approach probably doesn’t sound different from the past 3 weeks, but I’ve been enamored with finding something new – and this is my move past that paralysis.

🔈 💬 🔈

What Next?

This week, I’m going to Create an Audio Artifact related to the Downy Woodpecker (likely related to their Call and Drumming).

Please share your experiences with Creative Paralysis, Fascination with Uniqueness, and how you may have moved past those challenges.

Otherwise, see you next week!