Creativity Limits
One of the things I do in addition to writing is pottery. I find hand building taps something primal within me. Part of it is just about playing in the mud, but there’s something else.
Usually I get to play this week once a week for about two hours in a lovely studio in San Diego’s wonderful Balboa Park. Spanish Village is an artists coop and to become a full-fledged member you have to jury in. I’m getting ready to try again this summer, and I have to submit five pieces. I’ve been working on a series of sculptures.
Yesterday, I was at the studio for five hours. I build one sculpture and started on two more. Suddenly, I realized I was done!
It was exactly the same feeling I get when I’ve been writing well and it’s over for the day. And when I looked at the clock I realized I’d been potting for four hours – which is about my limit on good writing per day.
I guess it’s about creativity and how long we can keep it up. Maybe it doesn’t matter what the output is as much as how much we put into it.
Write well and often,
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POSTED IN: Musings From A Freelance Writer
5 opinions for Creativity Limits
Devon Ellington
Apr 20, 2007 at 12:41 pm
That’s one of the things I want to do — take a pottery class!
I find that I have different limits of creativity on different days — some days, it’s only four hours; some days I can go for 12-14 and not even notice.
But when the well runs dry for the day — I’m done!
Brenda Marie
Apr 20, 2007 at 2:29 pm
I think it’s how we’re wired. I find that I can only work on crafts for about an hour a day but I work about 6 (whether its finding ideas, looking for work, or writing),
Rena Prizant
Apr 20, 2007 at 3:43 pm
I too sculpt. I turned my basement’s utility room into a studio and play in there whenever the urge comes on. I find that my best time is at night when everyone is sleeping. Not that there much comotion in my house, but there is something about nighttime energy that inspires creativity.
Carma Dutra
Apr 22, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Last year was my second year to go to Balboa Park and I bought some pottery at the Artists’ Village both times. I love it there.
Last night I just met someone who has opened up a pottery painting place. You have given me the push to be creative in a different theatre. Creativity has many faces.
Okay, I’m A Bit Distracted
Jun 18, 2007 at 10:37 am
[…] at Spanish Village – a delightful artist’s coop in San Diego’s Balboa Park. Working with clay grounds me and, at some primal level I don’t understand, but don’t question, contributes to my […]
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