February 27, 2013

Starving Artist


Starving Artist 
By John Greenwood

If you could see what I see when I stand in front of a full length mirror you would know that I am not even close to starving and I only dream of being an artist. I am however a man on the upper end of his fifties who is starving to express his artistic side. I awake every day searching for a way to share creativity in some way. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to paint, carve, sing, play an instrument, act, write, or do anything that would enable me to share what’s inside of me to others on the outside. A few years ago I mustered every ounce of courage I had and began this blog Raining Iguanas. All fear of opening up my heart and mind to the world disappeared. I started slowly but I was persistent. The more I opened up the more I wanted to learn. The more I learned the more I wanted to share. The journey I am on is not uncommon. What I have discovered over the past few years is how many people share this need. Once you open up and write about it, talk about it, and read about it you realize what a human need creativity is. Whether I'm at work or at home, I am in perpetual search mode. It's like waving a metal detector over buried treasure below and listening for a beep, then two. Then just when you're about to call it a day, a steady song of discovery rings out. I dig and dig with everything I have. I heap the earth behind me like a hound dog on his way to the other side. I remain restless and edgy until the results are posted. I am impatient about it. My pulse quickens when I feel an idea or vision has substance. The feeling you when you post something you like, can be compared to enjoying an expensive meal with your family. It’s great having everyone together. Money is no object. Laughter runs rampant. Smiles and memories flow like water. The bill comes. They swipe your card. You sign your name. Fast forward to Monday. The big bill comes in the mail. That family high seems to have vanished into the night. Then Christmas shows up. The pattern repeats. This is the way of artistic expression. A roller coaster ride of oohs and aahs followed by a seat on a nearby bench just long enough to let your internal organs settle back where they belong and off you go to get back in line. Your thirst never fully quenched, you wake each day, grab your pad and pen, and head for the faucet. The pattern repeats--once more... 

4 comments:

  1. Very clever dinner place setting -- barbara

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  2. I enjoyed this. You DO share your creativity here in the blogosphere; and that is no small thing.

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  3. I love your description of the creative process... I almost am on a high after I've posted something that feels right, that sings to me... I can so relate to this... and what a lovely "place setting."

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  4. My wife walked in the living room where I set this up on a coffee table, saw the old paint brushes on her beautiful plate, shook her head, mumbled something about someone losing their mind, and let me be. It's taken a few years (38) but I think she's starting to get used to me...

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