“An idea can only be materialized with the help of a medium of expression,
the inherent qualities of which must be surely sensed and understood
in order to become the carrier of an idea.”
~ Hans Hofmann
What mediums of expression do you like to employ to get your ideas across?
See finished pieces here
– or –
win your own raku vase (and more!)
Before I became deaf, I aspired to be a musician, having taught myself to play guitar as a teen. That was my main form of self-expression (which also included song writing). At the same time, I was involved in writing short fiction and had a goal of becoming a published writer. At age 26, I became tone-deaf and my music dreams died. Writing became the central focus of my creativity, but a series of rejections from publishers quashed that dream and I stopped writing. Years later, I became involved in nature photography and found this to be what I thought was my true calling. The inability to make any money with my photography ended this dream (photography can be incredibly expensive, especially if shooting film, as this was before digital photography got off the ground). So, left without a medium to express myself, my creativity languished. Then, quite suddenly, in 2012, I began writing poetry, something I’d never really done before, so it was both a mystery and a sort of a new awakening. Since then, I’ve written sporadically until this fall, when I started publishing poetry on my blog. I been writing steadily now and it’s been such a strange and wonderful means of both creativity and catharsis. I’m not sure how long this will last but I’m rolling with it at the moment, seeing where it will take me. It feels so good to have a creative outlet again after having previous attempts falter and die.
Thank you so much for sharing your creative journey and background. It can be hard when you realize you need to let go of a dream, but it does make space for another dream to come take it’s place!
I personally find most of the arts you mention to have some expense associated with them, with the exception of writing, but publishers can be quite hard to connect with. I wish we lived in a world where people could explore their chosen creative outlets and expense or ‘commercial success’ would not be an issue!
I hope you keep sharing your creativity with everyone. Do you ever still play the guitar just for the act of doing so?
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement. I haven’t played my guitars in years. Now and then I’ll take them from their cases and hold them for a while and close my eyes and remember what it felt like to play them, but my hearing is so poor now that playing them is impossible. Still, I’ll never get rid of them. Those three guitars mean too much to me to ever part with them (they’re in my closet as I type this so they’re always within view). As for writing, I just posted a new piece of poetry on my blog that references raku and kintsugi, if you’re interested. I was definitely thinking of your raku artwork while writing it. 🙂
My apologies for the delayed reply. I was very much touched by the beautiful poem you wrote and your references were very thoughtful. I can relate to searching for healing. If you are open to it, I’d love to share it and a link to your poetry with a new urn that I have created.
I think it is wonderful that you still have your guitars to hold and allow them to transport you back to the feeling of playing them.
Just wanted to thank you for the kind words regarding the kintsugi poem I posted over at my blog. I wasn’t able to reply to your comment over there (blog comment section weirdness, apparently) but wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your comment. I’ve seen so much beauty here on your site in all you’ve created and, since I have a deep appreciation for Japanese culture, I thought I’d write something that included a tribute to your work and the whole philosophy of kintsugi. So, your amazing artwork was a huge inspiration for that piece. Keep creating and inspiring us. You definitely have a rare gift. 🙂
I’d be honored if you if you shared the poem and link! *feeling humbled* Thanks! 🙂
The honour is mine. You’re a very talented poet and that poems a natural fit.
I love to write. Sometimes for others and sometimes just for me. It always helps me express what’s on my heart or in my head.
Writing can be very therapeutic whether you share it or not. I find the process can help me to get things that are stuck in my mind out. It is a beautiful talent to share when you feel moved to do so. Thanks for commeenting and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!