Four Phases of Creativity

I recently came across an enlightening article by Scott Jeffrey (link here) about the creative process. It described four phases of creativity. In a nutshell, they are:  Preparation; Incubation; Illumination; and Verification. (These categories are from The Art of Thought, by Graham Wallas). 

I've been pondering the different phases of creativity, especially the first two. According to Wallas, Preparation requires intense study and hard, focused thinking. During Preparation, there is a childlike sense of wonder and delight learning new things, as well as a lot of plain old hard work. 

In the next phase, Incubation, ideas must germinate. The artist must wait patiently. His mind should be quiet, yet receptive to new ideas. The Incubation period cannot be rushed or managed. It takes its own time, as the brain unconsciously processes a lot of information.

I love the way that Rainer Marie Rilke expressed this process in his book Letters to a Young Poet:  "Works of art are of an infinite solitude...  Allow your judgments their own silent, undisturbed development, which, like all progress, must come from deep within and cannot be forced or hastened. Everything is gestation and then birthing. [One must] with deep humility and patience wait for the hour when a new clarity is born. .. Patience is everything!"

The current quarantine has provided a rare amount of quiet. Now we await that moment of clarity.  Patience!!

An Apple a Day

"Apples VI"
Oil on Linen, 7 x 10
(c) Lesley Powell 2020

It's official: the apple is fast becoming my own little "Mont Sainte-Victoire".  That's shorthand for saying that I am nearly as obsessed with the apple as Paul Cézanne was with his beloved Mont Sainte-Victoire. You may recall that Cézanne is known for the vast number of paintings in which he portrayed this mountain, which is located near his hometown of Aix-en-Provence (France). Cézanne returned to this motif time and time again, painting the mountain from many different points of view. His work on this subject spanned twenty four years, and he never seemed to tire of it. 

"Montagne Saint-Victoire"
Paul Cézanne, 1890

I may not have mountain vistas near my studio, but I do have apples! [Coincidentally (or not?), apples were another favorite subject of Cézanne]. I have become enthralled by the possibilities of these little spheres. They may seem quite simple, but they are nothing of the sort.  I've especially enjoyed painting the "Honey Crisp" variety, which are a bit variegated, and have swaths of different colors. A good challenge to the eye and to the color mixing skills!

"Apples III"
Oil on Linen, 6 x 9
(c) Lesley Powell 2020

Let it suffice to say that I have run through as much red paint over the past couple of months as I usually use in almost a year. It's been a rewarding time of exploration in the studio. I've used different sources of light--sometimes all natural light, sometime adding an artificial spotlight. I have painted the apples straight on, as well as from different angles. 

"Apples, Backlit"
Oil on Linen, 9 x 9
(c) Lesley Powell 2020

One of the most challenging approaches was the backlit apples (just above). I did a lot of squinting and trying to see colors, which was difficult for these old eyes, given the strong light shining right into them. 

"Apples and Creamer"
Oil on Linen, 8 x 12
(c) Lesley Powell 2020

I doubt I will tire of the apples any time soon. I have started adding an occasional supporting player to the compositions, such as a little cream pitcher, or a pear. Stay tuned to see how this develops...thanks for following along!

Solitude Found

Portrait of R. M. Rilke by Helmut Westoff

During the coronavirus quarantine, it has occurred to me that asking an artist to social distance is like asking a bird to fly. At least that's been the case for me. Solitude is a prerequisite for good work, and forward progress. In light of the current circumstances, and at the suggestion of a faithful reader, I'm reprising an earlier post on the topic of solitude.  Read on for the 2017 post.  It has new meaning these days!

"Seeking Some Solitude"

I have become convinced that creativity flourishes best when one has ample time to spend in solitude. Part of my conviction comes from reading Rainer Marie Rilke's book, Letters to a Young Poet, in which Rilke explores solitude as the foundation for all genuine artistic work. He writes that to develop your unique voice, you must know and trust your own self, and avoid outside influences. All progress "must come form deep within and cannot be forced or hastened." Rilke writes that "What is necessary...is only this: solitude, vast inner solitude. To walk inside yourself and meet no one for hours."

"Studio Door"
Oil on Linen, 14 x 9
(c) Lesley Powell 2020

Rilke sees in solitude not a wasteland, but instead a vast and rich territory, just waiting to be explored. Solitude allows each of us to call forth memories, dreams, images, impulses and 

reactions which are ours and ours alone. These are the things that form the basis of our work.

"After the Bath"
Pastel on Paper
Edgar Degas, 1893-97

Rilke's thoughts are not unlike those of Edgar Degas. Here are the words of Degas: "It seems to me that today, if the artist wishes to be serious — to cut out a little original niche for himself, or at least preserve his own innocence of personality — he must once more sink himself in solitude. There is too much talk and gossip; pictures are apparently made, like stock-market prices, by competition of people eager for profit... All this traffic sharpens our intelligence and falsifies our judgment."

"Apples VI"
Oil one Linen, 7 x 10
(c) Lesley Powell 2020
(Sold)

BBoth Rilke and Degas were writing over a hundred years ago. I wonder what they would think of today's hyper-connected world. With iPhones always at our sides, and social media such as Pinterest and Instagram bombarding us with countless images, is it even possible to avoid outside influences nowadays? To paraphrase the rock song, "Solitude Just Keeps Getting Harder to Find!" 

Solitude comes in many forms. I'll close with a quote from Brenda Ueland, from her book If You Want to Write: A Book About Art, Independence and Spirit: "Imagination needs moodling--long, inefficient, happy idling, dawdling and puttering." She makes it sound so easy!