a note about process

For the artist, process is the entirety of movement from inspiration to interpretation.

proc·ess¹

noun process; plural noun: processes

1. a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end.

What is process? Well really, it’s everything that we do, and even what we choose not to do. On a grand scale, it is life: the process of moving from birth to death. On a very small scale, it is the simple decision that moves you to get out of bed in the morning.

 Everyone goes through a process every day in every endeavor. From the simplest task to the most complex, there needs to be a way to get from point A to point B. All aspects of life are a process, because at its most basic, process is time manifested as reality from one moment to the next. It is forward motion. Even sitting alone in a white room is a process. Because you have moved from when you first sat down, to another moment in time. Even if you do nothing, you cannot stop time from progressing.

 To understand process, you need to understand the goal. The key to process is opening your eyes to it. The more you understand it, the more you realize your involvement. The more you realize your involvement, the more you realize that you alone are responsible for choosing the level or type of involvement you implement. We are constantly making choices. Making good choices helps us to improve the probability that the end result will be what we want. Making bad choices decreases that probability, or leaves it up to chance. Lets go back to the individual sitting in a white room. Let’s say the individual’s goal was to improve calm and clarity. Knowing the goal helps us understand this person’s process. Now even though this person is sitting still in a white room, a flurry of activity may be going on in his/her mind. Never underestimate the simple act of thinking as being a part of your process. However, the kind of thinking you pursue can be either helpful, or not. If person in the white room seeking clarity spends 3 hours stressing over whether or not planet Nibiru will be destroying the earth in the next decade, he/she will probably not achieve their goal. However, if the same individual diligently uses Zen meditation techniques to erase extraneous thoughts and focus on the present, he/she could be very successful.

 Process benefits from focus. The likelihood of achieving the desired result from process is directly related to knowledge, motivation, organization, and using the right tools for the job. However, understanding and implementing these things can be a daunting process all on its own. Process is not just the method of getting where you want to go, but it is also where you started and where you finished. For the artist, it usually follows the pattern: be inspired, process the inspiration, and interpret that inspiration to others. Immersing yourself totally helps you make great decisions. Great decisions leads to great art, and people who consistently make great decisions are recognized as great artists.

 Enjoy the journey. Always remember that where you started is in the past, and your goals are always in the future; focusing on the present (the process) is where you spend most of your life. Therefore, try to enjoy it! I like to go for a holistic approach. While creating art, I try to include the things around me that intensify the experience. Don’t work so hard at working that you loose touch with what you are working on. Don’t forget to enjoy the creation of art. Try as had as you can, as often as you can, to stop and smell the roses. The burst of fresh air clears your head, gives you perspective, helps you think clearer, and in turn produces better work. It also helps you enjoy where your process is leading you, especially if it doesn’t look exactly the way you envisioned it. Remember, you spend most of the time getting there, so don’t obsess if it doesn’t turn out exactly as you expected. The end result is usually inconsequential in the long term. You get there, and then you are moving on. You can always start again, either with a new goal, or changes to the process. So make sure you enjoy and learn from wherever it is you end up.

 A brief outline of what to expect. This blog is about process: where to start, finding and driving the vehicle that gets you where you want to go, and being at peace with where you end up. Posts cover the following areas:

-knowledge on various artistic mediums

-techniques with step by step instructions

-tools for the mind, body, and manipulation of objects

-tips for deciding the best structure for achieving your goals

-how to organize your thoughts and actions, and tracking your results

-follow-through, accountability, and motivation

-efficiency and dealing with guilt

-rules, and knowing when to break them

-success, perfection and failure

-training, learning and research