by David Dowd | Jun 6, 2022 | Artists, Creativity, Travel, Writing, Your Creative Journey
I am in a foreign country right now. I cannot speak the language very well at all, not for want of trying or lack of preparation. I even hired a tutor for several months to help me along. But here I am – bewildered by the spoken word. Every time someone speaks to me,...
by David Dowd | May 26, 2022 | Artists, Creativity, Writing, Your Creative Journey
Over the past couple of weeks, we have immersed ourselves into the concept of the emerging self and how it relates to the creative endeavor. The artistic process demands reckoning with the ever-present moment right in front of us. There is a basis in psychology for...
by David Dowd | Apr 20, 2022 | Artists, Music, Writing, Your Creative Journey
Over the past couple of weeks, we have been focused upon establishing a natural rhythm to the time devoted to the creative endeavor. I have encouraged you to determine some sort of schedule for yourself – a window set aside specifically to engage with the artistic...
by David Dowd | Apr 13, 2022 | Artists, Creativity, Music, Writing, Your Creative Journey
Last week we focused upon developing your own rhythm when working on a creative endeavor. I suggested that you should adhere to a steady pattern of production. That may mean setting a daily goal for yourself. Or, if your schedule is too crammed to work every day on...
by David Dowd | Apr 6, 2022 | Artists, Creativity, Writing, Your Creative Journey
Rhythm will become increasingly important as you apply yourself to your artistic craft over the next couple of seasons. Finding a steady sense of how you move through the day, especially within those hours devoted to the endeavor, is essential to your success. Really...
by David Dowd | Mar 22, 2022 | Artists, Creativity, Writing, Your Creative Journey
Welcome to spring and the beginning of production on your creative project. I want to rest here a moment with you and reflect upon where we have started this journey and appreciate the effort that you have poured into the work up to now. In December, you started with...
by David Dowd | Mar 8, 2022 | Artists, Creativity, Film, Your Creative Journey
Over the past several weeks, we have been gathering materials to serve as inspiration for our creative project. We will be diving headlong into the endeavor once spring rounds the corner. With this change of seasons coming soon, I want to offer some postings with a...
by David Dowd | Mar 3, 2022 | Architecture, Artists, Creativity, Your Creative Journey
Over the past few weeks, I have been suggesting various exercises to explore the creative endeavor. We have been gathering tools to support our projects and provide the framework for success in the coming months. This week I want to explore a more fundamental...
by David Dowd | Feb 22, 2022 | Artists, Creativity, Film, Music, Writing, Your Creative Journey
Over the past several weeks, I have shifted emphasis between two different modes of thought – the rational and the subconscious. A different exercise each week invites the artist to focus upon one or the other. This perspective is purposeful; there is a method to the...
by David Dowd | Feb 16, 2022 | Artists, Cooking, Creativity, Film, Music, Writing, Your Creative Journey
This season we have been gathering inspiration for our creative endeavor. We have been searching out resources that will support the process once we dive deep into the project this spring. You may have been invested in putting together notes on characters for a novel....
Solitude and the ArtistBut if you sit still for long enough, then something strange begins to emerge from this engagement with the mind. What was once myriad thoughts can be observed to encompass only maybe eight to ten notions that keep cycling through your awareness. read more...
What’s Your Obsession?But we desperately need new models, new and esteemed texts need to be uncovered that take us away from the terrain of war. There should be texts that speak to our moment – where our delicate equilibrium of climate is being upended daily. read more...
At the Top of the Creative MountainYour expectations shape your reality. I have had the opportunity of connecting with every one of you over the past year in one form or another, whether in person or online. I believe in your potential. Spend a few moments with yourself in a quiet space and remind yourself of why you began this project in the first place. Remember how exciting it was when you first captured its essence in your mind’s eye. read more...
Taking Art OutsideOver the years, I have established a relationship with this patch of land. I have traversed the terrain well enough to easily recall each of its inclines and slopes. I use this landscape in my meditation most every morning. read more...
Books for the Dog Days of SummerI have put together a short list of books that have been in my orbit over the past couple of months. These books have spoken to me – and you could do far worse than to pick up one of these books to read while the dog days of summer drag along, when disappearing into a different space altogether is essential to preserving your sanity. read more...
The Crow’s FeatherSo, I decided to give into their calls this morning, to reckon with what they were trying to tell me. Why were they hovering about my land – and such a specific patch of it? read more...
Intersection of Art and YogaHave the courage to stay in the room, no matter how hot it might feel. That discomfort means that you are getting at something meaningful and powerful. Let the sweat gather on your brow. read more...
The Conversation Between Two ArtistsYou may have lost the thread of this conversation over the past few months. It is time to refresh the acquaintance. You should dive a little more deeply into the dialogue, as you now have amassed considerable hours devoted to your work. How does the creative path that you have been walking down respond to aspects of the other artist’s work? read more...
Artistic ZenithJust take a moment to relax into the reality that your artistic project is seeing the light of day. You have worked hard. All the various strands of thought will coalesce, for you have already established a track record for yourself. Do something today to congratulate yourself. read more...
The Subconscious KnocksThe subconscious will attempt to claim a place at the table of our creation, clamoring for our attention. While its presence may be insightful, it can also be challenging to integrate those subconscious stirrings into our work. read more...