by David Dowd | Feb 16, 2021 | Architecture, Creativity
Sometimes it is hard to work with the constraints of tradition. A creative project often comes up against the rules and patterns established by the past, such as within a particular genre of story. I have a Greek friend named Stavros. He grew up on the island of...
by David Dowd | Feb 9, 2021 | Creativity, Writing
Trying to wrangle the subconscious is part of the excitement and part of the burden of the artist. By its very nature, it does not follow a rigid path forward. The shadowy subconscious meanders. And sometimes we lose sight of it along the way. Often, in the midst of a...
by David Dowd | Feb 2, 2021 | Artists, Creativity
I have a friend, Charlie, who had been struggling to start work on a graphic novel he had rattling around in his head. He just couldn’t put pen to paper. In an effort to move forward, he decided to housesit over the winter in Homer, Alaska. Charlie figured that the...
by David Dowd | Jan 26, 2021 | Creativity, Writing
The title “Daylight for Dreamers” first came to mind a long while ago. I had the phrase floating around in my head for a number of years. But I never had a place to put it. I wonder if others have the same predilection for conjuring up titles for books and stories...
by David Dowd | Jan 19, 2021 | Creativity, Writing
I realized that the last posting fell short in terms of suggesting any practical way in which such a conversation can take place – how to develop that creative interplay. I suppose that the paths into this back-and-forth are myriad. I find that I need to build a...
by David Dowd | Jan 12, 2021 | Creativity, Writing
The creative process is a tricky one, for it involves a dialogue between both sides of the brain – the rational and the intuitive. The unconscious and the conscious mind exist in a profound state of interdependence. The well-being of one is impossible without the...
by David Dowd | Jan 5, 2021 | Creativity, Yoga
One of my goals this year is to learn as much as I can about the practice of yoga. I could have picked a better year for it – when I could join a yoga studio and attend classes in person. But, alas, we are living through challenging times. I started reading through...
by David Dowd | Dec 29, 2020 | Creativity, Writing
I have a guilty pleasure. It involves secondary characters that crop up when I am putting pen to paper. I like them, oftentimes more than the main character, for the main character has quite a bit of heavy lifting to be done. He or she has to carry the weight of...
by David Dowd | Dec 22, 2020 | Creativity, Writing
I have a sort of muse, at least a disembodied voice that comes through loud and clear, from time to time, especially when I have been slacking off. He is a little bit intimidating. I haven’t succumbed yet to Yeats’ automatic writing exercises, but this muse has crept...
by David Dowd | Dec 15, 2020 | Creativity
I run most every day, just to ease the mind a little bit. I always follow the same course. It feels like a familiar friend at this point. I know that when I reach the red mailbox, I have hit the first-mile marker. I also know that the old oak tree by the side of...
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...