Road-Tripping Creativity • by Madelyn Mulvaney

“In my low periods, I wondered what was the point of creating art. For whom? Are we animating God? Are we talking to ourselves? And what was the ultimate goal? To have one’s work caged in art’s great zoos - the Modern, the Met, the Louvre.”
-- Patti Smith

Adding to the Blank Canvas of my Life
I strive to live an extraordinary and creative life. Unfortunately, to do this, every now and then I have to wander down mysterious and curious paths, losing my way as I toss aside familiar maps seeking new directions. The creative life is not always easy. I suppose my “map” is this eternal light that burns in me to realize the highest manifestation of all things in life, but still, it doesn’t always feel so sure or certain even as there is a curious inner compass that guides me on my way nonetheless. The creative life, like attraction, is not a choice for me.

Oh, yes, it would be awesome to have my photographs in the Met, my writing in a book that is on the New York Times bestseller list, my small films at the Sundance festival - of course! But there are greater miracles at work with living the creative life if you are able to surrender to it. Surprisingly so. The magic and ability to shape, alter, and create my very existence, painting onto the blank canvas of my life. Each day I create something - a photograph, a piece of writing, music, a small film. These are obvious expressions of being an artist and you certainly can apply a label, a name –“writer,” “photographer,” “musician,” and yet, I truly believe that creativity extends far beyond these labels to the very ways we live our life, expressing our own and unique true nature. The manner in which we dress, cook, decorate our homes, and communicate with our loved ones - everything really. The smallest of details reveal in the quietest glimpse a view into our essence, the unfolding of our beautiful spirits.

Unearthing the Best in Me
The creative life is magic to me. I shape my very soul, the ultimate “work in progress” as I evolve in this world through an expressive life along with other storytellers, songwriters, painters, poets, waiters, and waitresses.

Why then do I share all of this, my writing, my photographs, my small films, whether it be on my blog, my Flickr or Vimeo? I feel, for me, ultimately, my art is a way to unearth the best in me. To move towards the positive, the beautiful, the hopeful and affirmative joy of living beautifully. Expanding awareness as my heart grows.

I want to celebrate my experience, and be a part of a consciousness, which is an evolution of love and happiness, sharing the interesting places and answers that my life gifts me on this journey before I move on, finding new directions and enchanted pathways of becoming. Soul digging, road-tripping creativity!

To learn more about Madelyn Mulvaney, visit persistingstars.com.

Comments

[Brooke]

I always appreciate hearing you share your philosophy, Madelyn ~ the idea that in the end, we ourselves are the ultimate work is beautiful. Art produces joy.