We all have an image of the creative artist or writer who works in chaos. Books and papers stacked so haphazardly they’re in danger of falling or paints or canvas and paintings strewn across tables and floors. Chaos equals creativity…right? The fantasy that disorganization equals creativity. But does it? Does structure destroy your creativity?
There’s this thought that creativity only happens when you’re inspired. So you have to wait until you’re inspired before you can create. While inspiration might be what fuels many artists if they did nothing while waiting for that inspiration, none would come.
I think people confuse artists with those people who walk around and say they are waiting for inspiration but they never, and I mean never, create anything. There might be starts, they might pull out a notebook or put up a blank canvas, but they don’t know what to do at that point. They are struck dumb by the blankness and cannot move because they are waiting for inspiration to dictate the perfect, award-winning piece.
The truth is that while studios might be messy, there is routine and structure in how an artist creates. Going to the studio or desk at the same time, working the same hours, even eating and drinking the same thing is all part of the structure that artists create in order to “find” their inspiration.
While they’re waiting for that inspiration to happen, they’re practicing, drawing, painting, even researching in preparation for their project. That is part of the discipline. The structure that is needed to create art, music, or books.
Don’t reject structure. Embrace it as the framework you need to support your creativity.
You are so right. I don’t claim to be the most creative guy in the world, but as much as I’ve done it’s due not to inspiration but to hard work and persistence.
Consistency is inspiration.
Thank you for these wonderful encouraging words, they are what I need. My office generally reflects that creative chaos, but one of the things I am learning is what I have always done does not mean that is what I have to always do., does not mean I cannot change or improve, even at 70!
So true. Or it doesn’t mean that you do it exactly as you’ve always done but maybe similar sort of like a reflection of what you’ve done in the past. I remember being young and either setting up my desk in the corner so I was surrounded by three sides or sitting on the floor, back up against the bed frame with books on either side of me. Now, my desk for work is surrounded on three sides with a small path between the desk and bookcase to get into it. And when I work on my blog, I’m on the couch with a table in front of me and books and papers to the left and right. Not exactly the same, but similar.
I absolutely agree, Jennifer! I need that structure as my framework. Chaos disturbs me and I can’t think!
I understand how that feels.
My brain gets all cluttered up with clutter but I know others who seem to need it. It’s their own structure, I guess.
Yes, some people relish the clutter but have structure in how they handle things.
My life revolves around semi-chaos. I usually don’t mind the clutter, but sometimes it gets so bad I feel guilty and need to declutter a little. Other wise I feel too guilty to be productive!
Although I am not sure I am all that structured I do agree with you
I just wanted to tell you your social media links for commenting don’t work…not sure what is going on but… FYI! Loved the piece BTW.
Not sure what’s going on either. I checked all my social media links and they appear to be working.
Creative clutter with structure- my teenage son inspires to be an animator (like his older brother) and his room is chaos but out of chaos I see his works of art developing. Organised clutter is his description ?