Solitude – A Creative Process

Posted on by j.infini

For many, the creative process is quite different, but one common thread in the realm of creativity, is solitude. For many, the creative process includes, if not requires, some form of solitude. It can take place at the point of conception, planning, execution, or throughout the entire process. Regardless of when that solitude takes place, most artists can relate to the solitude of the creative process.

Though creativity is within all of us, there are those who prefer the hustle and bustle of the crowd and neither seek nor understand solitude. That’s ok. It is not required that they do. As for the artist, solitude is not separate from art. It is not just a want, it is a need. This means a separation from people, including family and friends, food, places, technology, and many other distractions. It’s fasting from the world.

 

“The primary distinction of the artist is that he must actively cultivate that state which most men, necessarily, must avoid: the state of being alone.”  ~ James Baldwin

 

As I examine my own creative process I find that I love creating in solitude. When painting, I often do it during the late hours of night when the rest of the world is asleep and I spend hours in the studio separate from the rest of the world during the day. Even if I have no concept in mind when I begin, I don’t worry about the end result. I simply let the solitude guide me as I wildly immerse in my imagination, often forgetting that things like food exist. I do the same when sewing, making jewelry, writing, or participating in any other type of creative activity.

 “Art starts alone – and convinces society later.”  ~ Douglas Davis

 

I often go through different periods of solitude in which I find balance, peace, clarity, growth, innovation and so much more. I don’t deny that external forces can sometimes serve as a catalyst for creativity, but it is in solitude that my spark ignites. Some people feed off the energy of others, needing constant reassurance, motivation and inspiration, but my energy is nourished in solitude. I thrive in my solitude.

“The mind is sharper and keener in seclusion and uninterrupted solitude. Originality thrives in seclusion free of outside influences beating upon us to cripple the creative mind. Be alone—that is the secret of invention: be alone, that is when ideas are born.” ~ Nikola Tesla

 I’m currently in one of my stretches of solitude and have been for the past several months, limiting my time and energy shared with anything and anyone outside of myself. This conscious act of diving into solitude came about simply because I am in the process of creating some of my greatest work! I am creating love and new life. Just as Ester Buchholz states in The Call of Solitude, I’ve personally come to know that “alonetime is a great protector of the self and the human spirit,” therefore I will continue to be in the company of very few friends and family until my process of creation is complete.

“… practically all creative people, and certainly most geniuses, have preferred to be alone for long periods, especially when producing their best work.” ~ Raj Persaud, ‘One Hundred Tears of Solitude’

Make some alone time for yourself. You might be amazed at what you find in your solitude.

live & love,

j.infini

ARTISTS

Prenatal Body Painting- Alicia Cobb - www.artsimplicated.com
Photography- Kedon Beckford - www.kbphotoart.com
Model- j.infini - www.infinitelifeworks.com
Canvas Backdrop- i.infini

Buchholz, Ester. "The Call of Solitude." Physiology Today. January 31, 1998. Accessed August 30, 2014.

From The Call of Solitude, by Ester Buchholz, Ph.D. Copyright 1997 by Ester Buchholz. Reprinted by permission of Simon and Schuster All rights reserved.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199802/the-call-solitude