Whe are always doing something (Solitude for the artist)

We are always doing something, talking, reading,listening to the radio, planning what next.  The mind is kept naggingly busy on some easy, unimportant external thing all day.
Brenda Ueland.


The artist needs solitude, time for introspection....We are always keeping our minds busy, as a distraction to not see inside.  But it is inside where creativity exists.  We can get inspiration in outside ideas, and fill our well of images or musical notes or beautiful verses.  We need quiet so the inspiration starts working from within, and manifests in beautiful art.  It is important to cultivate solitude.  A meditation for solitude can be even getting our tools ready.... organizing our paints.  Listen to nice soft music and enjoy this time with ourselves.  To be great artists we do not need to be painting ALL THE TIME, or creating all the time.  We need intervals of spending time with ourselves in activities that enrich our soul.  Anything from walking will do.


I am a great believer in what Picasso said about working: "when inspiration comes it will find me working", but is work can be subtle activities that go along with our creativity and enriches it.  Going and going places, listening all the time with music, or listening to tv when we create can distract us from our real creative selves.  We have to create this space for the artist to come through a space of peace and solitude and let inspiration flow.  Inspiration comes from the word spirit, and our spirt lives within us, not   in our busy minds, not on the outside world.