Letting myself off the hook from Be Creative Daily on Vimeo.
So here I am, enjoying this freedom and feeling a fresh sense of optimism as though things are slowly slotting together and making sense, piece by piece, day by day, when I stumble upon the work of the artist Jonathan McCree.
McCree’s paintings spoke to me in a very immediate way, as art occasionally does, on a level I find it hard to explain, as though there is some sense of familiarity, like a deja vu or ancient knowing… a heartfelt connection that cannot be described.
So I dug a little deeper, found out a little more and discovered a video of the artist talking about his work. It is ten minutes long, but I have had it on watch and rewind, watch and rewind, watch…
And now, I understand exactly why his work spoke to me. I know why this art came up on my radar right now. In the artist’s words:
“Usually when I work on anything, I am trying to devise a strategy for unknowing something. It’s much more interesting for me if I don’t know what I’m going to do, so I tell myself all the way through, “I don’t know, I don’t know” so it’s almost like a mantra. And for me, the strategy of doubt and constant questioning or deferral of what the project is about is usually the best way to end up somewhere and I don’t know at this stage where I will end up.”
This is where I am. This is what I feel. This is what I trust.
When the artists talks about his approach to his work he is speaking about something that can (and indeed should) be applied to almost all aspects of our lives… letting go and allowing things to unfold.
I started on a collage this morning:
symmetry
colour
pattern
nature
It is inspired by Jonathan McCree and I will developing this further.
When I do, I will share it here.
I want to see where the “don’t know” takes me, both in art and in life.
It is an interesting place to be… I feel like I am on the edge of something.
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Julia, this post really resonates with me! I have been desperate to create a life I love but “don’t know” which path to take. I have been struggling with the not-knowing and getting more anxious by the minute that answers are not coming. Your thoughts, and the words of Jonathan McCree, are helping me see that there is a different way to approach the not-knowing. Rather than gripping it with a white-knuckle stranglehold, I can release it, let it go, and just be with it and let things unfold. Letting go and admitting that I don’t have the answers means I release control and attachment over outcome. Good stuff! x Nancy
Nancy, I am so glad you enjoyed this post. I started this month of creativity for the reason you state here… I too am desperate to create a sustainable life I love. I felt I had lost my way with the blog and this was my way of returning to source and reconnecting with my creativity on a daily basis for 30 days. I realise now that this is something I need to do on a regular basis. In recent months, I have felt overwhelmed by the possibilities, but at the same time confined by the limits that school runs and term times put upon working mums. So, at this time in my life, with my youngest son soon to start school and finding myself single for the first time in 20+ years, I have two choices: I can fight my situation or I can let go. Finding this video of Jonathan McCree was so timely for me as it speaks to me not only for my art, but for my life. Right now, I choose to surrender. To let go and allow. To believe that what will be will be and trust that by letting go I am allowing myself to be open to the best possible path. Since letting go of outcome, the most interesting things have occurred. Keep sharing your journey. With love, Julia x
Have fun with the “Don’t know”. I look forward to hearing where it leads to …
Thank you Sheelah, I will. All will be shared here. x