Monday, March 28, 2011

A Personal Equation


art + creativity + photography = bliss

I've been coming back to this equation over and over again in my journal lately. It was only a matter of time until it showed up here. It's a personal equation, something that speaks to me at a core level. I've been exploring what it means...

art = all of that which has been created before, by others. Art includes the formal definition of art, such as the paintings of the great masters, but it is also so much more. Art is the design of a building, the cut of a dress. It is the interpretation of musical notes written on a page. It is the combination of spices and ingredients. It is all that we experience, that comes from outside of ourselves.

creativity = a process, a practice. Creativity is not a "thing." It is the swirl of ideas, the stringing together of old and new. Creativity is where observation, knowledge and action meet. It is the process by which we learn to make sense of the world around us. It is innate, in each of us. It is what allows us to string together words into a sentence and actions into a life.

photography = an artistic medium, a personal form of expression. My photography is the combination of all of the art I've seen and experienced in my world run through my own personal creativity filter. It is the way I can share my vision. Photography allows me to share the stories I see, in the details of life around me. Like this bicycle, in Ravenna. Photography is my art, given back to the world.

Input, process, output.
Art, creativity, photography.

Combine these three ingredients and I get bliss. What do I mean by bliss? I mean happiness that goes beyond the moment, to the core of my being. It is the connection to the heart and soul of who I am, who I always have been, who I always will be. It is something deeper than a pretty picture, a fleeting emotion. 

art + creativity + photography = bliss

It takes all three to make the math work. Without one of them, the equation would be unbalanced. It might equal "content" or "satisfaction," but certainly not bliss.

I imagine that we all have our own personal equation. Part of our life's journey may be to define it, as we live it. Do you know yours? If not, I'm guessing that creativity is in your equation somewhere too. Start there, and see what begins to fill in the blanks.

21 comments:

  1. Beautifully written post Kat, writing these kind of thoughts in our journals can really start giving us a clear picture of why we do what we do, it looks like you've found your answers :)

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  2. This is a wonderful post Kat, and I truly enjoyed reading it. Although I never thought about it in this way, you are so correct in stating that you really need all three to balance the equation. Beautifully writtrn, and wonderfully thought provoking.

    Thank you so much for sharing this todsy at The Creative Exchange.

    Have a wonderful day!

    lisa.

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  3. Love your equation, Kat! Especially because it equals bliss. Your definitions are inspiring and the photograph at the top is testimony to what comes from you acting out your equation - it brings something to us as well as to yourself.
    Mine might be: beauty + creativity + poetry = bliss.

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  4. Love this post. Been wrestling with how photography fills my creative spirit and what path I'm on. Love to hear someone's take on it. Still sorting it out.
    That bicycle shot...love it.

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  5. WOW.. This is so true. At least for me. It is crazy but I love papercrafting. And for me I don't really know why I love it so much.. I never really considered it Art.. But it is. It gives me this bliss that you are talking about..

    I just love your photo..

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  6. I love the idea swirl.
    inspiration + creativity + yoga= bliss

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  7. Another wonderful post, Kat. Isn't it fantastic that you figured out your formula for bliss? Photography is certainly a big part of my equation now. I'll have to think about what the other important factors are. Love, love, love the photo!

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  8. I'm with Dorian on this - still sorting it out! I love this photography - there's something about bikes and scooters that speaks to me. How sad is that :-)

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  9. What a wonderful post, Kat, and a beautiful photo! I love your composition!

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  10. I love that you've discovered your bliss - gives me hope that I will too.

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  11. A personal equation-what an amazing idea! Mine would also have to include photography. Being a scanner, I don't know if I could have only one, but it would be worth a try I bet. I'll have to give this some thought.

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  12. A very interesting post! I love the bicycle photo!

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  13. I love your photo on the subject of creativity.... the "vehicle" is in front of an open doorway....such an appropriate image for the subject of creativity. The doorway leading into a mysterious place, not yet defined, but that which will come into being once one has stepped over the door-stoop and into the doorway to discover what is....

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  14. I just love your equation and couldn't agree more. I love your photo, so many lovely textures and points of interest. Really lovely!

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  15. My equation would probably read something like this, nature's inspiration + creativity + studio time = contentment/peace :)

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  16. lovely post. Very inspiring and made me stop, think and smile. Not sure what my equation is but it definitely starts with art + creativity and then it gets a little hazy, there are so many combinations that may work I guess I'm still defining this for myself.

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  17. I love the equation and I can feel it, too. Bliss is just the right word - beautiful. I love this post.

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  18. I don't think much ...and certainly don't write anything....about my 'art,' basic as it is. I do love to read posts such as this, though. And I love the photo you've chosen to illustrate it.

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  19. This is a beautiful shot! Whimsical and charming!

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  20. kat...i don't know you...but i love you. i think you crawled into my head and pulled out the words and thoughts that i feel about my photography!! amazing post!! thank you!!

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  21. A very inspiring post!
    I love this photograph too, it really reminds me of Italy!

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