When I retired finally, I was a bit lost until I started sketching again, pencil only from photos of men I found online. Not to sell them. Just to enjoy drawing them. Of the forty or so I have done, only two were by request, and I gave them to the guys who requested them for free.
Reproducing the looks of joy, of sadness, of just lost in thought is a challenge. Drawing nudes is fun, but my interest is: does the image say anything to me or not? I try to bring that aspect out in the drawing. I don't display them, talk about them or show them to anyone. I just enjoy them.
As a therapist, psychologist (among other things) I strongly support creativity as you do in this newsletter, Clint.
Art, music, dance, performing arts are treated as expensive extras in education and relegated to relative unimportance. Sport is held as important in the US (or so it seems to me) - indeed less intelligent students apparently get scholarships and free passes for their sports prowess. I suppose that competition and winning are held in high regard in the US rather than participation or creativity.
I have often advised patients to do something enjoyably active when they are anxious or depressed but more importantly I recommend creative endeavours, drawing, painting, singing, dancing, crafts, music (yes, drumming Clint) etc.
I haven't enough experience of therapists in the US. I have met a fairly broad selection of them, particularly when in the US for professional reasons. Some are very good and many are agents for normalising people to fit in with society.
Having a work contract for 40 hours a week but be expected to work 60 hours with no overtime pay; to not have sickleave, to have 2 weeks vacation (but to cover everything like childcare emergencies, illness, hospitalisation); to be promoted for being industrious, productive rather than intelligent, competent or innovative - I won't go on. This shouldn't be normal. It is not healthy to advise patients to fit in with such abnormality.
Enough! I will get down from my high horse.
I have been writing, drawing, painting, playing music, singing, performing {writing scripts, directing, producing) in plays for the past 50 years. It hasn't mattered to me to be good - let alone excellent at these things. (I am happy with what I have done and other people have appreciated, applauded and enjoyed my efforts).
I came to Substack to archive my writing so it doesn't die when I pass over. I haven't intended for anyone to read my stories. I haven't wanted to be applauded for them or make money from them. The creative process has been for me alone, my enjoyment and well-being. If others like my stories then that is a bonus for me and them.
Thank you, Ray, for sharing your personal and professional experience. Art therapy exists here for sure. Though none of the handful of therapists I’ve seen over the years have suggested it to me during our sessions. Luckily, a friend reminded me about it when talk therapy wasn’t doing the trick. As for “Ray Of Light,” I hope to have a chance to read it sooner than later. Cheers, dear one….
I don't need a therapist or even a teacher of any of these creative exploits. I have explored, played around. I haven't done all of these creative arts in the same time. I did have an art teacher when I came to Thailand. He had some English (at the time I had little Thai) but he taught by example. He taught me drawing and oil painting. When I moved to draw and paint from imagination, he complained that he couldn't see the physical thing or scene, and he left me to it. I said to him that he didn't explore his creativity but earned money by painting reproductions of famous paintings from photos in art books. We accepted our differences. I taught myself to play classical organ (an electronic organ not a pop music keyboard). I had to teach myself some music theory in order to explore musical composition. Learning new things is another creative process.
Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one can hear.
wonderful message and reminder. I have been creative my whole life but coming from a working-class background always had an internal battle with ideas of productivity and waste. luckily I'm with someone who was trained as an architect and blows up the fallacy of "waste" and embraces it all as "process". it's also what I've used talk therapy to help me rewrite internal scripts and find new creative strategies. great job on sharing this, Clint!
You are so right about so many of us leaving our creativity behind because of parents, teachers, and important others in our life. I have often written about how as children we do not yet know that we do NOT have to believe these supposedly "important" others in our life. I believe to be an actualized adult, one needs to be aware of this and begin to TRIAGE what we believe. If it no longer makes sense, get rid of it. If it does make sense, keep it. If you are not sure, do NOT panic, do NOT pressure yourself, just take time to give it more thought when you are ready and then keep or toss. My advice to you, my dear Clint, with tongue in proverbial cheek, and a smile and recognizing how difficult it can be to change old beliefs, habits, etc... JUST DO IT! Fondly, Michael
I usually spoiler alert with "UNASKED FOR ADVICE". But I did it anyway. Sorry I forgot the unasked for part. I call that "listening to my voices", my inner voices, my voices that are in touch with the universe. So I give what advice my voices tell me to give and usually am on target. Glad TRIAGE spoke to you today. Fondy, Michael
When I retired finally, I was a bit lost until I started sketching again, pencil only from photos of men I found online. Not to sell them. Just to enjoy drawing them. Of the forty or so I have done, only two were by request, and I gave them to the guys who requested them for free.
Reproducing the looks of joy, of sadness, of just lost in thought is a challenge. Drawing nudes is fun, but my interest is: does the image say anything to me or not? I try to bring that aspect out in the drawing. I don't display them, talk about them or show them to anyone. I just enjoy them.
I love that you refound your creativity, Allen. Hope it’s going well and refilling your well too. Cheers, my dears!
Art and creativity keeps us human 💚
Amen. And praise be! 🌈✌️
As a therapist, psychologist (among other things) I strongly support creativity as you do in this newsletter, Clint.
Art, music, dance, performing arts are treated as expensive extras in education and relegated to relative unimportance. Sport is held as important in the US (or so it seems to me) - indeed less intelligent students apparently get scholarships and free passes for their sports prowess. I suppose that competition and winning are held in high regard in the US rather than participation or creativity.
I have often advised patients to do something enjoyably active when they are anxious or depressed but more importantly I recommend creative endeavours, drawing, painting, singing, dancing, crafts, music (yes, drumming Clint) etc.
I haven't enough experience of therapists in the US. I have met a fairly broad selection of them, particularly when in the US for professional reasons. Some are very good and many are agents for normalising people to fit in with society.
Having a work contract for 40 hours a week but be expected to work 60 hours with no overtime pay; to not have sickleave, to have 2 weeks vacation (but to cover everything like childcare emergencies, illness, hospitalisation); to be promoted for being industrious, productive rather than intelligent, competent or innovative - I won't go on. This shouldn't be normal. It is not healthy to advise patients to fit in with such abnormality.
Enough! I will get down from my high horse.
I have been writing, drawing, painting, playing music, singing, performing {writing scripts, directing, producing) in plays for the past 50 years. It hasn't mattered to me to be good - let alone excellent at these things. (I am happy with what I have done and other people have appreciated, applauded and enjoyed my efforts).
I came to Substack to archive my writing so it doesn't die when I pass over. I haven't intended for anyone to read my stories. I haven't wanted to be applauded for them or make money from them. The creative process has been for me alone, my enjoyment and well-being. If others like my stories then that is a bonus for me and them.
Thank you, Ray, for sharing your personal and professional experience. Art therapy exists here for sure. Though none of the handful of therapists I’ve seen over the years have suggested it to me during our sessions. Luckily, a friend reminded me about it when talk therapy wasn’t doing the trick. As for “Ray Of Light,” I hope to have a chance to read it sooner than later. Cheers, dear one….
I don't need a therapist or even a teacher of any of these creative exploits. I have explored, played around. I haven't done all of these creative arts in the same time. I did have an art teacher when I came to Thailand. He had some English (at the time I had little Thai) but he taught by example. He taught me drawing and oil painting. When I moved to draw and paint from imagination, he complained that he couldn't see the physical thing or scene, and he left me to it. I said to him that he didn't explore his creativity but earned money by painting reproductions of famous paintings from photos in art books. We accepted our differences. I taught myself to play classical organ (an electronic organ not a pop music keyboard). I had to teach myself some music theory in order to explore musical composition. Learning new things is another creative process.
Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one can hear.
Yes, everything you wrote about is true!
Thanks for Gregory Peck too!
Thanks, Larry. And I love me some Mr. Peck! Cheers….
🎶❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🌈🏳️🌈🚢😱🐧🎵 Thanks Clint, Sia, and Gregory 🎵🐧😱🚢🏳️🌈🌈🖤🤎💜💙💚💛🧡❤️🎶
Breathe on, Steve!!! 🌬️🌈✌️
👍 DougT
🫂🌈✌️
Cheers Sixes
wonderful message and reminder. I have been creative my whole life but coming from a working-class background always had an internal battle with ideas of productivity and waste. luckily I'm with someone who was trained as an architect and blows up the fallacy of "waste" and embraces it all as "process". it's also what I've used talk therapy to help me rewrite internal scripts and find new creative strategies. great job on sharing this, Clint!
Thanks, Jerry! Would love to see you and your architect talk about creativity…and love. Obviously, you both have got a lot of both. Cheers!
You are so right about so many of us leaving our creativity behind because of parents, teachers, and important others in our life. I have often written about how as children we do not yet know that we do NOT have to believe these supposedly "important" others in our life. I believe to be an actualized adult, one needs to be aware of this and begin to TRIAGE what we believe. If it no longer makes sense, get rid of it. If it does make sense, keep it. If you are not sure, do NOT panic, do NOT pressure yourself, just take time to give it more thought when you are ready and then keep or toss. My advice to you, my dear Clint, with tongue in proverbial cheek, and a smile and recognizing how difficult it can be to change old beliefs, habits, etc... JUST DO IT! Fondly, Michael
Love the word “triage.” It’s one I needed to hear today. Thank you!
I usually spoiler alert with "UNASKED FOR ADVICE". But I did it anyway. Sorry I forgot the unasked for part. I call that "listening to my voices", my inner voices, my voices that are in touch with the universe. So I give what advice my voices tell me to give and usually am on target. Glad TRIAGE spoke to you today. Fondy, Michael
At this point in my life, I take all advice with a grain of salt. But your advice is always sweet…and from the heart, Sugah! Cheers, my dears…