Blog
Artists’ Roles in Society — What’s Yours?
Artists are embedded in society. If we think about how artists have historically viewed themselves as functioning in their society and how they’ve positioned themselves in society, we see many different models. Let’s consider a dozen of these models. As we proceed,...
Working While in Pain
Last week I wrote that artists frequently must deal with chronic illness and chronic pain. Here is a response to that post from one artist, the Australian artist Trudie Moore (www.trudiemoore.com.au): “I read your article with great interest, and was very grateful...
Making Art In Sickness and Pain
I’m regularly surprised by how many of my artist clients (I work as a creativity coach) are suffering from chronic illness or chronic pain. Sometimes it seems as if every client is dealing with a pressing physical issue: back pain, intestinal maladies, arthritis,...
Three Simple Suggestions
Here are three simple suggestions from three creativity coaches to keep you on track with your art-making: “Begin each day with an affirmation. Write your own affirmation or copy one from a piece of literature that inspires you. Make it your practice to read your...
Big Changes Coming?
Among the interesting things I’m learning as I conduct interviews for an upcoming Life Purpose Boot Camp symposium is how long it takes folks to make a life change even after the meaning has drained out of their current enterprise—out of their profession, say, their...
Do You Believe You’re An Artist?
Frances had come to narrative painting late in life after 20 years as a corporate lawyer. Her paintings were large, powerful, and sold well. But she had the hardest time not bad-mouthing them, both for the full four months it took her to paint one and after each was...
The Art Show She Might Have Had
People come with a past and a personality. Marsha was no exception. Her sister’s accidental death at the age of twelve and her family’s collapse after that terrible death robbed Marsha of something: joy; confidence; hope for her own future; something. It also seemed...
Sadistic Chairs
I was visiting with an editor at a well-known magazine in her midtown Manhattan skyscraper offices. I commented on the chairs in the waiting room, which were sort of like bar stools only pointy, tall, and sadistically uncomfortable. I said to her, “Wow, those chairs...
Daily Creativity Tips
Beginning in the new year I’ll be offering daily creativity tips to folks in my private gathering space on creativ.com. I’ll also be chatting with folks, answering questions, and being of general help <smile>. Please come join my gathering! Here is the place to...
Creativity in Business
What does “creativity in business” really mean? The word “creativity” tends to have three rather different meanings in a business context. Sometimes it stands for “innovation.” Sometimes it stands for “problem-solving,” Sometimes it stands for “manifesting human...
