At this time of year the imagination becomes vitally important to the artist, not to mention the world at large, yet somehow it is often overlooked. The imagination is the fountain from which our ideas and New Year’s resolutions spring. Instead of simply making decisions devoid of life, vitality, drive and joy (which resolutions have become), the imagination is a playground in which we can propel our ideas into the future. An imaginary space that will soon coincide with the year 2012 and beyond!
Not only does the imagination allow you to create art, but goals too. I think of the imagination as that subjective space where creativity starts. A tool which aides the imagination is the journal – that imperfect notebook where ideas flow in various forms: words, pictures, collage, musical notes, etc. This is the beginning of translating subjective space to objective space. I highly recommend acquiring a journal of your liking and pens, pencils or whatever – that make you want to use them. A $3 pen and $15 notebook is little expense for a future of accomplishment. My favorite are Moleskine and uni-ball. The classic simple notebook and the fast-flowing ink work wonders for me. But maybe a crayon and stapled paper work for you?
Now start to use your imagination and create an ideal scene for your future as an artist. No matter how unreal and absurd it may be it is an exercise of stretching your imagination, working the muscle for your soon-to-come New Year’s resolutions. Although the imagination is not like a muscle in physical form it is similar in that it needs to be worked in order for it to work. “Use it or lose it,” is a common maxim which truly applies. So use it to make your ideal scene (for more information on “ideal scene” see Administrative Scale).
Now start to work out some resolutions for this year and beyond. Use your imagination to include those artistic ideas that you hold dear. And never fall into the trap of invalidating your own thoughts. Remember experimentation can lead to a masterpiece and that New Year’s resolutions can be fun!
Note: Photographs by Robert Castagna taken in Florence Italy, November 2011.
Thanks for reminding me to get back to the notebook. It is a wonderful place for an artist to work out resolutions for the year or the future in general. Besides, it is so much fun to look through old books with ideas from the past. It is like a visual journal of our lives.