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Right Before My Eyes

"Creativity consists of one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." These words, attributed to Thomas Alva Edison, are perfectly articulated and resonate with first-hand knowledge and experience. The creative process most often begins with the initial insight that drops into the conscious mind with seeming ease. Then comes the perspiration accompanied by hefty doses of frustration, visualization and the obligatory dose of audacity, all balanced by the courage of our convictions to venture alone into a particular unknown. It is part of the pilgrimage we make when we choose to put our visionary ideas and ideals on the line. I am constantly aware that, for every challenge I assume, there will undoubtedly be a new mountain to climb, Right Before My Eyes. 

Creativity often blossoms out of necessity. A need exists, then we grapple with ways to fill it. Consider the invention of fire, the wheel or the light bulb. Necessity compounded by a challenge is a major motivator as though life were double-daring us to find an answer, to fill a need. I thrive under these conditions. The necessity may be ill health or a home with unadorned walls, the challenge being the lack of medical knowledge to guide my recovery or the absence of sufficient funds to purchase artwork for those bare walls. Even as a child, I was fiercely independent and wanted -- rather needed -- to unearth my own answers no matter how much longer the outcome might take. I rarely took anyone's word for anything. In hindsight, I was being fueled by my creative drive.

Over the years I have analyzed my creative endeavors with the intention of gaining insight into my motivation. I have wondered whether necessity has always been the driving force and came to the realization that it is ultimately at the core, but that there are two distinctly different profiles of the need that compels me to create. I see one as impassioned and spiritual, and the other more earthly and desirous. (Or, if you will, coming from within and not wanting to go without.) My music comes from a place deep within my soul. I crave music as I crave nourishment and have never felt I had to sell the songs that I write in order to be passionate about the process. The act of creating music has always been its own reward.

My external motivation begins with a desire to surround myself with well-designed, beautiful things, most of which I cannot afford, and blossoms into excitement and curiosity as I am challenged to experiment within new, creative disciplines. The question poses itself: Would I have designed clothing, home furnishings or art had I monetary resources to acquire instead of create? I will never be sure.

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