For the Love of Beauty and Adventure!

A Long Discipline in the Same Creative Direction

 “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with  horses?”

“The essential thing ‘in heaven and earth’ is… that there should be long obedience in the same direction; there thereby results, and has always resulted in the long run, something which has made life worth living.” –Nietzsche

One aspect of our worldly society that is harmful to creativity and a fulfilling life is the assumption that anything worthwhile can be acquired at once.  We assume (and want to believe, so we do) that if something can be done at all, it can be done quickly and efficiently.  Our attention spans have been conditioned by internet connections.  Our sense of reality has been flattened by short synopsis’ and summaries.

It is not difficult in such a world to get people interested in what you do or what you have to say, but it is terribly difficult to sustain the interest.  It is not difficult to get  yourself interested in a  fresh new subject, project, work or hobby; but terribly difficult to keep passionate enough about it to see it through.  (Of course, I teach, speak and write about what is all too familiar.)    There is little inclination to sign up for a long apprenticeship.

There is a great market for the creative and fresh experience (and yes, these experiences are good for the soul and worthy of our time); but so is  and badly needed is the patient acquisition of skill and fundamentals.  Everyone is in a hurry, we want the short cuts, we are impatient for results.  We have adopted the lifestyle of a tourist and only want the high points.  I am not a tourist guide.

 I hope, instead,  to encourage you to fight against this mood and folly of the world.  I hope to encourage a “Braveheart” and warrior attitude toward a long discipline, “a long obedience”, a faithful, and courageous pressing on in the same direction even when passion fades,  when the moment is dark. 

For you are a true “pilgrim”, a person whose life is going somewhere and whose path for getting there is the way.  You will experience wonder upon  unexpected wonder on this path, and there will be fearful specters to be met.  But remember who you are and where you are going.  Sing along this “long discipline” to quiet those anxious fears and doubts. 

The end of this journey is not your life.  This journey is your life. 

Horses are beautiful and free when they run.  And so are you….

lyn@lynlasneski.com

http:lynlasneski.com

http:/freedomthroughart.com

htttp:/twitter.com/lynlasneski

A Long Discipline in the Same Creative Direction

“If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with  horses?”

“The essential thing ‘in heaven and earth’ is… that there should be long obedience in the same direction; there thereby results, and has always resulted in the long run, something which has made life worth living.” –Nietzsche

One aspect of our worldly society that is harmful to creativity and a fulfilling life is the assumption that anything worthwhile can be acquired at once.  We assume (and want to believe, so we do) that if something can be done at all, it can be done quickly and efficiently.  Our attention spans have been conditioned by internet connections.  Our sense of reality has been flattened by short synopsis’ and summaries.

It is not difficult in such a world to get people interested in what you do or what you have to say, but it is terribly difficult to sustain the interest.  It is not difficult to get  yourself interested in a  fresh new subject, project, work or hobby; but terribly difficult to keep passionate enough about it to see it through.  (Of course, I teach, speak and write about what is all too familiar.)    There is little inclination to sign up for a long apprenticeship.

There is a great market for the creative and fresh experience (and yes, these experiences are good for the soul and worthy of our time); but so is  and badly needed is the patient acquisition of skill and fundamentals.  Everyone is in a hurry, we want the short cuts, we are impatient for results.  We have adopted the lifestyle of a tourist and only want the high points.  I am not a tourist guide.

 I hope, instead,  to encourage you to fight against this mood and folly of the world.  I hope to encourage a “Braveheart” and warrior attitude toward a long discipline, “a long obedience”, a faithful, and courageous pressing on in the same direction even when passion fades,  when the moment is dark. 

For you are a true “pilgrim”, a person whose life is going somewhere and whose path for getting there is the way.  You will experience wonder upon  unexpected wonder on this path, and there will be fearful specters to be met.  But remember who you are and where you are going.  Sing along this “long discipline” to quiet those anxious fears and doubts. 

The end of this journey is not your life.  This journey is your life. 

Horses are beautiful and free when they run.  And so are you….

lyn@lynlasneski.com

http:lynlasneski.com

http:/freedomthroughart.com

htttp:/twitter.com/lynlasneski

How to Instantly Eliminate Failure

I was listening to a phenomenal free video by Eban Pagan (an amazing man, absolutely worth your time to check him out) yesterday and he really opened my eyes to a new way of thinking about failure.  This is important because creativity is all about failure and mistakes and the willingness to make lots of them.  Here’s a new paradigm:  Realize that “failure” or “mistakes” is an idea people have totally MADE UP!  It’s  not a real thing at all.  Think about it:

When a baby  learns to walk and falls down, it never enters our head to interpret it that the baby has “failed”.  Yet that’s exactly how  we interpret times when we “fall down”.  Failure is only an idea that becomes “real” when we decide it is so, when we  CHOOSE it.  Science has found that our subconscious doesn’t recognize or understand a negative thought, a zero, failure or mistakes.  WE are the ones who tell our minds that we’ve “failed”.  We label something a “failure” and the second we do that, our conscious mind then gives up and stops  working for us.  It essentially says, “There’s nowhere to go from here.”

Not good when we’re seeking creativity.

Napoleon Hill said, “The greatest successes always happened after the greatest failures.”  This implies that a set back or challenge is PART of that success.  They are always on the way to our success, not an obstacle to our success.  So  here’s a way to INSTANTLY eliminate failure (it’s so incredibly simple you won’t think it works):

When you have a challenge or setback, ask your “What did I learn from this?”  and “How will I  use this information in the future?”  Turn the failure into a “lesson” and immediately you’ve eliminated the failure!  When you do this often enough, failure  will cease to exist as a viable concept in your head!   

Like fear , the idea of failure is worse than th experience of it.  I  believe FDR said, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.”  So here’s my thought, “There’s nothing to failure, but the word  itself.”   Get that?  Nothing.  It’s just a dang flipping word that can totally screw up your life and creativity.

Erase it from your dictionary.

Now if  you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some failures in my past I’ve got to transform into some important lessons….BRING IT ON!

lyn@lynlasneski.com

http:/freedomthroughart.com (for my blog)

htttp:/twitter.com/lynlasneski

How to Instantly Eliminate Failure

I was listening to a phenomenal free video by Eban Pagan (an amazing man, absolutely worth your time to check him out) yesterday and he really opened my eyes to a new way of thinking about failure.  This is important because creativity is all about failure and mistakes and the willingness to make lots of them.  Here’s a new paradigm:  Realize that “failure” or “mistakes” is an idea people have totally MADE UP!  It’s  not a real thing at all.  Think about it:

When a baby  learns to walk and falls down, it never enters our head to interpret it that the baby has “failed”.  Yet that’s exactly how  we interpret times when we “fall down”.  Failure is only an idea that becomes “real” when we decide it is so, when we  CHOOSE it.  Science has found that our subconscious doesn’t recognize or understand a negative thought, a zero, failure or mistakes.  WE are the ones who tell our minds that we’ve “failed”.  We label something a “failure” and the second we do that, our conscious mind then gives up and stops  working for us.  It essentially says, “There’s nowhere to go from here.”

Not good when we’re seeking creativity.

Napoleon Hill said, “The greatest successes always happened after the greatest failures.”  This implies that a set back or challenge is PART of that success.  They are always on the way to our success, not an obstacle to our success.  So  here’s a way to INSTANTLY eliminate failure (it’s so incredibly simple you won’t think it works):

When you have a challenge or setback, ask yourself “What did I learn from this?”  and “How will I  use this information in the future?”  Turn the failure into a “lesson” and immediately you’ve eliminated the failure!  When you do this often enough, failure  will cease to exist as a viable concept in your head!

 Like fear , the idea of failure is worse than th experience of it.  I  believe FDR said, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.”  So here’s my thought, “There’s nothing to failure, but the word  itself.”   Get that?  Nothing.  It’s just a dang flipping word that can totally screw up your life and creativity.

Erase it from your dictionary.

Now if  you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some failures in my past I’ve got to transform into some important lessons….BRING IT ON!

lyn@lynlasneski.com

http:/freedomthroughart.com (for my blog)

htttp:/twitter.com/lynlasneski

I Dare You to Great Mistake-Making, Creative Life.

One of my biggest harangues with my art students is the need for  and willingness and courage to MAKE MISTAKES in their art.    Of course, we always preach what we ourselves most need.  And mistake-making is necessary not only in art and any art form, but in the art-form of our life.  Whenever I get fearful, I pull inward, I withdraw…and absolutely no true authentic creativity and beauty is birthed out of a fearful, withdrawn state.  Last night I felt absolutely overwhelmed with all there is to do….  fear that I will keep on making the same ol’ tired mistakes….   my longing for security and stability was deep…  fear grew.

So I’m writing to remind myself.  And remind you:   Most of the greatest lives lived were built on the greatest fiascoes or mistakes.  Security and stability are illusions.  There is no such thing in this life.  If we’re looking  for these, we’re like little children waiting for mommy and daddy to come be Santa Claus.   They’re not coming and neither is Santa Claus.  Security and stability equals stagnation.  If that’s what I want, I will live a life-less, boring, mouse of a life.

However, if I claim to be a free and creative spirit (and I do) then I cannot live that way.  If I want to live a full and creative life with  purpose and passion and giving to others, then I cannot live or even think that way.   I must get out there and make as many creative mistakes as I can.  Not just in art.  Not just in my work.  But in ALL of my life… my relationships, my spiritual life… ALL of it.   This takes amazing, daily courage and commitment. 

Here’s an antisecurity and antistability pledge  (take it with me today):

“I PROMISE ON MY HONOR TO BE BRAVE AND WILLING TO CREATE AS MANY MISTAKES AS I CAN, FOR I SHALL LEARN FROM THEM AND LIVE AN ABSOLUTELY FULL, FULFILLING, AND EXCITING LIFE.”

Okay!  Let’s go!  Whoever makes the first mistake today….wins!!!   Win a free, fulfilling, adventurous life!  I dare you.

lyn@lynlasneski.com

http:/freedomthroughart.com (for my blog)

htttp:/twitter.com/lynlasneski

3 Principles of Creativity

Creating for “product” is pursuing art for an end result or for the sake of others, which is different than when we create for process.  I talked about creating for “product” versus “process” a couple of weeks ago; then got side-tracked with other thoughts.  This week I’m going back to focusing on the WHY and HOW of  creating for product.

HOW do you go about painting for “product”?   

If you paint for product, I believe there are 3 Principles of Creativity:

PRINCIPLE  #1:  “THERE IS NO CREATIVITY WITHOUT THE MASTERY OF  THE FUNDAMENTALS.”

If you want to produce work for the enjoyment and service of the world,  I want to promote and instill in you a desire for Mastery of the Fundamentals and excellence.  Vince Lombardi wrote, “Excellence is achieved by the Mastery of the Fundamentals.”  There are a million ways to research the fundamentals of your artistic passion whether it’s gardening, music, or shoe-making.  Study is the ONLY way to learn the fundamentals.  There are usually only 5-7 basic fundamentals and then loads of learning under them.   For instance the fundamentals in painting are: 

1.  Concept, 2.  Composition, 3. Color, 4. Drawing, 5.  Paint Quality.

PRINCIPLE #2:  “THERE IS NO CREATIVITY WITHOUT FINDING YOUR OWN  PERSONAL EXPRESSION.”

We need to find our own voice (when painting it doesn’t matter whether you are doing a photorealistic rendering of a subject or loosely abstracting it or anything in between).  You learn the fundamentals and then you find your own voice by doing the work of practicing the fundamentals of your artform, repetition is key.   To find our own voice will require the 3^rd principle.

PRINCIPLE #3:  “THERE IS NO CREATIVITY WITHOUT PRACTICE AND SELF-DISCIPLINE. Self-discipline is the road to creative freedom.  And discipline is one of the issues I got “side-tracked” on last week.  I believe it will be worth your time to check out and read about “The Habits and Rituals of Creativity:   http://lynlasneski.posterous.com/the-habit-and-rituals-of-creativity-0. 

lyn@lynlasneski.com

http:/freedomthroughart.com (for my blog)

htttp:/twitter.com/lynlasneski

Creativity: How to "Fly" an airplane without arms or hands.

CREATIVE THINKING: The way we think has a greater impact on our lives than our physical constraints.

Jessica Cox was born without arms, yet earned a sport pilot certificate in October 2008, flying an Ercoupe.  Being an aviatrix and creatrix myself, I respect this woman’s courage, discipline and persistence. She now flies airplanes, drives cars, and otherwise lives a normal life using her feet as others use their hands. She holds the title of the first person without arms in the American Tae Kwon-Do Association to get a black belt and the first woman pilot in aviation history to fly with her feet.  She is also an inspirational speaker.

“With vision and imagination, we can achieve anything we set our sights on”, said Jessica at a Women in Aviation breakfast with AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association).  Jennifer had wanted to fly since she was a child, and had explored learning in a Cessna Skyhawk, but quickly realized she wouldn’t be able to solo it.  But she didn’t give  up.  An Ercoupe airplane caught her eye, and she contacted AOPA, who put her in touch with the owner of one. He helped her to get started and eventually to find an Ercoupe so she could finish her training.

Cox’s first challenge was fastening the four-point seat harness, and she said she met that challenge using the same type of “out of the shoe” thinking that she used to learn to tie her shoes as a child. She demonstrates this by using her toes to repeatedly tie and untie the shoelaces on a sneaker. In a similar fashion, she learned to buckle the harness loosely, slide into the seat, and tighten the belt. “Then my CFI (Certified FIight Instructor) got in, and he was impressed,” she said. 

Whether in aviation, arts, or ANY creative endeavor,  we need to be disciplined and persistent.  I wrote about the need for discipline in my last blog, you might want to review that.  Combine discipline, vision, and imagination; and there is no end to what you can accomplish and create.  If you aren’t sure how to pursue your dream, there are tons of resources and groups of people who would love to help you.  Start researching your passion on the internet.  You have no excuses, get off the couch and follow your dream, and the resources will appear.

(FYI: If you are interested in stretching your creativity and learning how to fly, but aren’t sure how to pursue it, check out AOPA’s website and they can lead you on your path.)

lyn@lynlasneski.com

http:/freedomthroughart.com (for my blog)

 htttp:/twitter.com/lynlasneski

Lyn Lasneski

PO Box 456

Depoe Bay, Or 97341

lyn@lynlasneski.com

http:/freedomthroughart.com (for my blog)

htttp:/twitter.com/lynlasneski

The Habit and Rituals of Creativity

This will be a popular blog:  it’s about the need for discipline.  But hey, if you want to release your creativity, if you want to be an artist in any one of it’s myriad forms, it you want to gain mastery at your skills, then guess what?  You’re gonna have to gain discipline.  People have this misconception that creativity and talent is “poofed” on you with fairy dust when you were born.  Or strikes you like lightning out of heaven.   I wish.

Truth is:  artistic creativity is the result of study, preparation, effort, solitude and the habit of discipline.  Twyla Tharp, an incredible dancer and choreographer, wrote a book called “The Creative Habit”.  In it she makes the case that sustained creativity “begins with rituals, self-knowledge, harnessing your memories, and organizing your materials.”   Creativity begins with rituals.   How does that work?  Because we need to form the habit of creativity.  Everyone knows the old rule:  “Do it for 21 days in a row and it becomes a habit.”  Yet how does one keep doing something for 21 days when you don’t HAVE to, don’t know how and the very effort can be terrifying or painful?  And every possible roadblock, excuse and procrastination will rear their ugly heads? 

By ritual.  Establish a small effective ritual that will place you firmly on the path of what you need to do next.  Something pleasant.  Say for example:  make a cup of tea, put on some favorite music,  light a candle,  write a short paragraph and/or say a little prayer…then BEGIN.  Do the same little ritual, the same time every day. 

Begin gaining mastery of the skills of your chosen art form (from science to hair-dressing!)    I’m always telling my students that “Creativity comes from Mastery of the Fundamentals”.   How does one  come to “master the fundamentals”?  Study.  Do the next little thing.

Ritual becomes discipline  becomes habit which morphs into authentic creativity. 

It’s amazing.  Choose a ritual RIGHT NOW.  Begin.

lyn@lynlasneski.com

http:/freedomthroughart.com (for my blog)

htttp:/twitter.com/lynlasneski

The Habit and Rituals of Creativity

 

This will be a popular blog:  it’s about the need for discipline.  But hey, if you want to release your creativity, if you want to be an artist in any one of it’s myriad forms, it you want to gain mastery at your skills, then guess what?  You’re gonna have to gain discipline.  People have this misconception that creativity and talent is “poofed” on you with fairy dust when you were born.  Or strikes you like lightning out of heaven.   I wish.

Truth is:  artistic creativity is the result of study, preparation, effort, solitude and the habit of discipline.  Twyla Tharp, an incredible dancer and choreographer, wrote a book called “The Creative Habit”.  In it she makes the case that sustained creativity “begins with rituals, self-knowledge, harnessing your memories, and organizing your materials.”   Creativity begins with rituals.   How does that work?  Because we need to form the habit of creativity.  Everyone knows the old rule:  “Do it for 21 days in a row and it becomes a habit.”  Yet how does one keep doing something for 21 days when you don’t HAVE to, don’t know how and the very effort can be terrifying or painful?  And every possible roadblock, excuse and procrastination will rear their ugly heads? 

By ritual.  Establish a small effective ritual that will place you firmly on the path of what you need to do next.  Something pleasant.  Say for example:  make a cup of tea, put on some favorite music,  light a candle,  write a short paragraph and/or say a little prayer…then BEGIN.  Do the same little ritual, the same time every day. 

Begin gaining mastery of the skills of your chosen art form (from science to hair-dressing!)    I’m always telling my students that “Creativity comes from Mastery of the Fundamentals”.   How does one  come to “master the fundamentals”?  Study.  Do the next little thing.

 

Ritual becomes discipline becomes habit which morphs into authentic creativity. 

 

It’s amazing.  Choose a ritual RIGHT NOW.  Begin.

lyn@lynlasneski.com

http:/freedomthroughart.com (for my blog)

htttp:/twitter.com/lynlasneski

Clueless about how to start doing art?

(download)

Click here to download:

Clueless_about_how_to_start_do.zip (46 KB)