What is creativity? A state of being truly alive.
-Stacey Cornelius
In, Around. Handmade paper. Collection of the artist.
I invited my Twitter-pal Stacey Cornelius (@StaceyCornelius) to be my first-ever SOUNDBITES guest. This means she was also a bit of a guinea pig and she’s been a hell of a good sport about it all. Stacey is just today launching a brand new (and eagerly awaited) website at www.perceptionsfiltered.com. I’m thrilled that she agreed to kick off this ongoing conversation about creative life and work.
Question:
Let’s start by defining terms. What does it mean to be creative? Why is it important?
Answer:
There’s this old joke:
The famous philosopher René Descartes was sitting on a plane when a flight attendant asked, “Would you like a drink, Mr. Descartes?”
“I think not,” he replied, and disappeared.
How do you define something that is so deeply integrated into your life it is as unconscious—and essential—as breathing? How do you categorize a thing that would utterly unmake you if you were forced to stop doing it?
For me, creativity is a drive. A calling. The unquenchable desire to build, to grow, to play, to explore an idea, to poke at its boundaries and push its limits. My limits. Past doubt, past fear. It’s a place where boredom dares not tread.
I can’t begin to define it for someone else. It wouldn’t be fair, or accurate.
Pick up a pencil and draw?
I don’t draw.
Or dance.
Because I don’t feel the need.
But that could change tomorrow.
In many ways, creativity defies definition. It comes from within, always. It cannot be imposed. What it looks like, I think, is far less important than what it is: the state of being truly alive.
Who is Stacey?
Writer, artist, aspiring Renaissance woman, explorer of ideas.
Find her here. And find her lovely post explaining why that beautiful piece of art is in the woods, here.
What is SOUNDBITES?
SOUNDBITES is an ongoing conversation about creative work. Find out more here.
Creativity for me is the light of longing for the creator who is the lodger in my life. The one I thought was passing through only now I pay her rent to stay.Sometimes I live in fear that her travels will take her to a crossroad that won’t lead her back to the room that she has wallpapered with all the shadows of my footprints that have walked in, out and sometimes sadly, over all the experiences in my life. Creativity, my unfinished canvas. My chapter less book. The endless story. In the words of the great poet Leonard Cohen(bet you never say that coming) ‘My mirror twin,my next of kin, I’d know you in my sleep’
A lodger that we pay to have stay. What an image. She can be a demanding prima donna, that lodger, don’t you think? Do you share your Canadian chocolates with her, Sheree?
Deryn.I dance to her bidding lol and feeding the muse is always wise. Hell hath no fury:)
Yes, true. One more good reason to have quality chocolate on hand at all times.
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