Trust the Process (The Sequel)

Ornamentals: #8

(available through my web site)

"In order to realize our creative powers, we have to believe that we have the ability to make something significant."

Shaun McNiff

In my last post, I wrote about the book I've been reading, "Trust the Process: An Artist's Guide to Letting Go," by Shaun McNiff, and his discussion of the practice which he calls "emanation: a process of one thing emerging from another."  He offers this exercise as a means of enabling an artist's style to emerge.

Dr. McNiff suggests making a series of images on small cards, trying to maintain connections from one image to the next and watching how ideas for a new picture emerge from previous pictures.  We are, in effect, working in a series, and doing it in a small format that should fit into the context of our busy lives.  The cards are highly portable, and a sketch can be done in a matter of moments while waiting in a doctor's office or during the seventh inning stretch at a baseball game.

What a great idea for someone like me, since I'm trying to pull myself away from my lengthy left-brained preparation tactics.  The underlying theme in this exercise is to concentrate on a whole body of little works and to not become overly involved in one picture.  This will take practice on my part; my epitaph will likely include the words "overly involved."  But I'm ready to go -- I've got my cards and my favorite pen, and I can feel the muse knocking on the door.

Do you have a favorite technique for igniting the creativity in your work?  Please share!