To be creative

There is a quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt that hangs on the bulletin board in my home office. It reads:

"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of the creative effort."

I'm not sure how FDR had time for creative outlets during his time as leader of the free world for an unprecedented three terms in office. But as a brief read through of his biography on Wikipedia indicates, he was a scholarly man of many interests, so it is probably his appreciation for the pioneering creative from which this quote derives. And after all, who says politics doesn't include finding new ways to color inside-- or out-- of the lines?

Regardless of its inspiration, this quote truly resonates with me. Perhaps it is my own quasi-obsession with highly creative people that motivates me to want to learn more about them and try to understand what makes them tick. All with the hopes that I can better understand myself, my own process, pushing me to think bigger, work harder, color brighter.

And this blog is where I am going to chronicle this pursuit. Posts will include commenting on a recent documentary I've watched; sharing something new I've just created; or simply asking and answering my own questions within the frequency of my life where design resides. As the blog develops I hope to meet and interview artists and creative people so they can share about their lives, their passions, and their processes.

I believe that design itself, in its most neutral form, --not labeling it good or bad-- is the result of a cumulative energy of creativity. This is an energy that is so powerful it should not be underestimated. I think it is as important as the air we breathe. Think of life without beauty. Think of a flower without petals. Think of building a suspension bridge without cables. Think of the beaver that builds his dam in such a certain way so as to design himself a comfortable and safe home. Think of the child who paints his sky purple, simply because he hasn't learned yet that it is "supposed" to be blue. And better still, even if he does know it is supposed to be blue, he still uses purple.

Just as each and every person on this planet is uniquely divine, so is what we have to offer creatively, no matter what form that offering is given (i.e. visual art, music, fashion, writing, engineering, etc.). From a very young age I knew that being a creative person and sharing it with the world would be part of my life's calling. In addition to the love of my friends and family, it is the contribution of my creative self that fulfills me. I guess you could say that the process brings me peace and the print-out brings me joy.

Creatively yours,

Jody