Creative Process at Work
The power of creativity is critical in many fields for more reasons than I can list. Only a curious person can dare to explore their capability to create and to discover.
The applications are endless. For example, working with so many talented students at the Jewelry Studio at Dartmouth College taught me the power of using a creative outlet as a healing tool. Healing for whatever it is one must endure--the good and the bad.
Hence, I hope you find beauty in the following piece I wrote after pondering for weeks about my creative process and how I gather my most brilliant thoughts and designs.
Constraints:
Working without constraints is overwhelming; seemingly unlimited time, ideas and possibilities kill creativity. I set goals and a date for when I plan to have something done. It prevents my overactive mind and imagination from finding a million different distractions.
I blame my short attention as the reason for a lot of my procrastination--but I also credit it with a lot of my brightest thoughts. It is simply hard to conform--which has been instrumental throughout my life for reasons beyond this piece.
Like me, your brain might always be on even when you do not want it. I live in a million different places at the same time. I have accepted myself this way--it is not a weakness but a strength.
There is always color in my brain--it is like I have a subscription I can never cancel. I am sure many of you can relate. I do not think I am unique in this way.
I do think that what has been unique has been self-acceptance of my apparent weakness, understanding my creative process and having an outlet to let out my energy and visions in a beautiful way I can see.
Designing and creating jewelry allows me to hyperfocus my nervous, unfocused and chaotic energy and convert it into something I am proud to show. I am in complete control of creating something new and fascinating using my unique skills and creativity.
I am responsible for creating a structure for myself and my thoughts--clearing the path to determine what is relevant and what is not.
Goals:
My goal is to be the best in whatever I am doing and push myself to create beautiful and fascinating work.
All that matters is that I am using my strengths and gifts to the best of my ability. I see my work as a result of every experience and every atom I have ever come across.
Not everyone will see the magic behind my work, but that is not of my concern.
I also avoid comparing my successes or failures against others whose stories I do not know well. With the advent of social media, I have found it incredibly easy to feel inadequate in my career and personal life. Instead of looking for constant validation--what matters to me is my progress, long term goals and what I am doing to live life and do the things I wish.
The path is not always linear--but I never expected it to be.
The process:
Recently I designed a beautiful set of gold necklaces with gold granulation for a friend inspired by Picasso. I had no idea where to start.
The idea for this project came to me at 2 am one night. I knew I wanted to create something new; I remembered Picasso’s work and his face paintings; I pondered about it for a few days. The next thing I remember is a clear vision of two designs. I sketched the designs and then planned how to make them in my studio.
I accepted the idea as a gift--I sketched it and made it to the best of my ability. I see it as a complete success--the work is gorgeous. I cannot imagine it a different way. It makes me proud to know it will live a world of its own and came from a special place.
Latest Ancient Greek Gold Granulation piece, inspired by Pablo Picasso. An original design by Nelly