Creativity

Posted on by Bill Jones, Jr. Posted in inspirationTagged , , , ,

“The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.”
— Carl Jung (1875 – 1961)

“When I am working on a problem I never think about beauty. I only think about how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.”
— Buckminster Fuller

Mr. Fuller has accurately described the creative process for me. I don’t have an end in mind, I just know it when I get there.

This was once a black and white shot of a cardinal in a tree. Cardinals, being gloriously red, object to being black and white. And, skies, being jealous of the birds’ colors (given they keep the floaty little things aloft) despise being so… well, grey.

So, now we’ve fixed it. All is right with the world.

Other problems are not so easily fixed… unless you view the problem as a blank sheet of paper, and yourself as a box of crayons. Then, they are even easier. God keep you strong.

Keep yourself cool.

18 thoughts on “Creativity”

  1. Katie says:

    I absolutely adore cardinals. As a child, I used to sit on the front porch and trade songs with one that lived in the Maple tree. They are not born to be black and white. It is nice to see him as he belongs, standing out against his blue canvas.
    Great imagery for approaching problems.

    1. Bill Jones, Jr. says:

      Thank you. I grew up around cardinals, as we had 2 large pecan trees in the front yard. They woke me many a night, usually at around 4 in the morning. They don’t like being ignored, except when nesting.

  2. amysomday says:

    How very fortunate for both of you, Katie and Bill, as i have only seen photos of cardinals. They are as foreign to me as a camel is yet I have seen camels while living abroad.

    This is one thing in my life that I have yearned to see since childhood, one day I will 🙂

    1. Bill Jones, Jr. says:

      They are pretty, but I wouldn’t make a special trip for them. They’re also a bit skittish (the males) since they stand out so vividly. I find them by tracking their calls, and by knowing they’re probably near the ground, in thick bushes.

    2. Katie says:

      I have a lovely couple that vacation in my back yard. They take turns at the feeder while the other plays lookout. I may have seen a camel in a zoo, but nothing remotely natural.

      1. amysomday says:

        Camels are awkward large things that smell obnoxious, spit on you and look as though they are hard as hell to ride. However, their necks are soft and most like their necks scratched; their eyes are huge and beautiful and when they make whatever that noise is, (maybe a groan?) its loud enough to keep you awake and on your toes!!
        We lived near an aquifer and my friends and i would take the stairs to the roof and sit there and watch as caravans passed the house.

  5. Joe Pineda says:

    Reblogged this on The Bard of Steel and commented:
    A collection of very unique, relatively unknown quotes about the creative process. I recommend you read these if you happen to feel stuck in the middle of whatever artistic endeavor you’re pursuing.

  6. ceciliag says:

    when i die i want to come back as that black bird in the water.. obliviously posing for you in the falls. is this the result of you combining your blogs?.. beautiful.. you love birds don’t you. c

    1. Bill Jones, Jr. says:

      I would say I love to photograph birds. In real life they’re kind of nasty. Thanks for the compliment. Thjs is a result of my combining blogs in that this was originally for my life coaching blog. That’s the one I’m rolling into this one – at least the inspirational part. I’m not doing anything with the photo blog. I may post there or not.

      Interestingly, when I posted this I got the most likes and follows ever. I think I’d rather keep inspiring creativity than emotional distress.

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