Nature and the Source of Creativity

I honestly have not gotten outside as much as I would like to lately, but last week, as I was pulling garbage bins to the end of our long driveway early in the morning, I felt a deep sense of being present, of inhabiting my body. I tuned into the process of lifting one foot and then the other, feeling the tug of muscles doing the work and the soft landing as each foot rolled forward preparing for the next lift. 

I felt my lungs breathe in cool, moist morning air as I took in the trees, moon and distant views of mist settling into swampland and forest beyond the county road.

I was struck by an overwhelming sense of awe and gratitude, not only for my home near the North Shore of Lake Superior, but also for the Earth and the privilege of life itself - for the symbiotic relationship we have with the trees, the rivers and lakes, and the earth beneath our feet. 

Heading back toward my old log cabin, I stopped to admire the height of the popples and pines, maples and oaks. I came to a deep awareness of how this kind of presence informs my art - how at that moment in time, I was forming a way to share the experience. I considered the advantage of Plein Air art - creating in the actual presence of nature - and made a mental note to do more of that when it is warmer. But I was also writing a poem as I walked.  The cadence of my footfalls falling into the poem itself. How do these things arrive in our psyches? Where do our inspirations come from? 

I know that in the process of creating something new, my body is completely in tune with the motion of the pencil, paintbrush or carving tool. Often hours go by without me knowing. And then, I take a look at what I've made.  Whether it is "perfect" or not, I am always amazed that I could make something out of nothing. 

Some of you are fellow creatives and can relate to that process of flow that happens when artists are concentrated on their work, but all of us use some creative energy throughout our daily lives. When problems arise, it takes innovative thought to find solutions. You may be a parent or a child of an aging parent, you may love to cook or bake, to build houses or work on cars. Maybe you write letters (or emails), stories or songs. If you work with young people, you are inventing ways to keep them engaged every day. That's a creative mind at work. And I'll bet if you really take a look at all of the problem-solving you do in a day, you will be amazed at how creative you are. 

Next time you find yourself working through a situation or spending time outdoors, take a moment to notice spontaneous ideas or inspirations at work.  Appreciate the things in your life that are beautiful - relationships, a sunrise or shoreline. As you do things you enjoy, notice what provides creative energy in your surroundings, wherever you may be.