Change & Inspiration
It’s impossible to look around at the world right now and avoid the feeling that it’s all falling apart. So many things are falling apart. We are living through a period of incredible transformation and it can be hard to live it and understand it all at once.
The word “transformation,” when read on a screen, feels so distant and hyperbolic - like something you study in science by observing butterflies and tadpoles. In truth, transformation is a grueling process marked by shedding, breakdown and complete reconfiguration. To transform is to shift from one state or form to an entirely different state or form. It is an act of going beyond what you know yourself to be into uncharted territory. To become something new, you have to let go of so much of what’s familiar. It is incredibly unpleasant, and requires intense vulnerability. Yet, most of life’s magic happens in transformation. It gets hidden in plain sight because we can’t quite comprehend transformation when we are in the midst of it, yet the magic is perfectly clear when something new and splendid emerges. Metamorphosis is a radical exercise in destruction, inspiration and creativity.
The ability to reconfigure and adapt is evidence of humanity's great power to influence and be influenced by the world around us. I find the same true of creating art. It is a powerful means by which we are influenced by and exert influence over our experience of this world. Art is where intention and action intersect to become a tool for expression, reflection, making connections, grounding and even meditation. Through creative practice you can relate deeply to the idea transformation as making art is, at essence, transforming ideas into reality. And when you start to associate transformation with the potential of your imagination, the unknown becomes less scary and more inspiring.
Now more than ever, we need to find ways to shift out of fear when we are confronted with change. Instead, we need to learn to cultivate inspiration.
Feeling inspired is its own brand of magic. It uplifts our minds and spirits. It activates our sense of innovation and hope for the future, and when we feel inspired, it’s contagious. Inspiration is a powerful tool in times like these, because it gives us something we want to strive for. Fortunately, inspiration is an infinite resource and can be accessed easily with a little practice. My own art practice is an alchemical ritual in which I transmute all of my fears, questions, curiosities, beliefs and inspirations into a visual language that I can share. It is an activation of my mind, my subconscious and my physical senses, while also being an exercise in play and experimentation. A consistent art practice can cultivate critical thinking and a sense of fresh perspective. It can also be a liberating reminder of your power in creating and shaping your life, no matter what changes you face.
