6 Impossible Things: #1 Rose Ladder

// March 8th, 2010 // creativity, creativity theory, illustration

rose ladder

Creativity is a non-linear process. We start out at Point A and end up at Point C, or Point Q, or any other point that happens to not be called Point B.

This is because, on the way from Point A to Point B, impossible things happen that steer us away from our original endpoint and onto fresher, shinier, more startling destinations.

This is not to say that there is anything wrong with Point B as a destination, just that the creative way to get there probably starts at Point W, or some other ‘non-A’ point.

Anyway the point is: a key feature of the creative life is that seemingly impossible things occur along the way that really kick things along, but only make sense in retrospect.

This is a series of posts presenting 6 impossible analogies for these ‘things’

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#1 The Rose Ladder:

It’s easy to get discouraged when we think that for all our creative efforts we haven’t learned anything, or grown. All the hours spent sketching, writing, practicing scales can seem wasted.

But if we are creating regularly we are growing.

As we grow, the steps we take can be invisible to us. We rise through a succession of small moments of learning. Each as capable of bearing our weight as a single rose floating in mid-air.

But these moments do bear our weight and they do lift us.

As we climb these moments and reach the top of each level of learning, we simultaneously arrive at the bottom of the next level. This can help to solidify the sense that we are not advancing, that we are perpetually stuck in ignorance.

But this is not true.

Each act act we perform along the way adds to our storehouse of knowledge and experience. Walking faithfully along our path we can’t help but evolve creatively, even though we may not always see it.

Can you identify small creative acts that, while seeming inconsequential at the time, helped foster your own creative growth?


7 Responses to “6 Impossible Things: #1 Rose Ladder”

  1. Maya @animalswisdom says:
    March 10, 2010 at 7:57 pm

    Dave,
    Beautiful painting and beautiful post! Thank you so much!

    As soon as I finish writing this note to you I am going to print this post out and hang it above my desk in my creative space!

    I have fond memories of the wild roses that my mother tended to outside our home, when I was very young. Have always had a special connection with them ever since.

    I also am presently struggling to just allow my creativity to lead me wherever it would like me to focus.

    A beautiful rose ladder of creativity to support me thru my doubt and fear.

    This post comes at a most perfect moment in time.

  2. Development Minded says:
    March 11, 2010 at 7:31 pm

    Wow, do you do all the paintings on your blog? I love your work and your insights are a beautiful addition. I’ll add you to twitter and check back in here as well.

  3. Dave Rowley says:
    March 13, 2010 at 8:24 pm

    Hello Maya,

    Wow, I’m so honoured that you’re printing the post out! and glad that this piece connects with your memories of your mother and her roses.

    My wish for you is that the rose ladder does support you through your doubt and fear and that your creativity leads you to beautiful places.

    I really appreciate your supportive comments, they mean a lot to me.

    Best wishes,
    Dave

  4. Dave Rowley says:
    March 13, 2010 at 8:55 pm

    Hi DM,

    Yes, I do the illustrations–that’s the most fun part :) Thanks for reading, I’ll look out for you on twitter.

  5. Cranky Fibro Girl says:
    March 15, 2010 at 4:02 pm

    Beautiful-and so what I needed to hear today. Thank you.

  6. Christine Martell says:
    March 17, 2010 at 11:20 am

    Dave,
    Yet another beautiful illustration, and such a lovely way to frame the idea. One of my biggest surprises in my creative journey has been how my work keeps developing even when I am not “doing” it. Just walking through my day to day life, I see things and my eye keeps developing and learning. After a break from the studio, I may have a short period where I am getting used to the medium again, but the quality of the images are often stronger. So yes, that rose ladder is the totality of our lives.

  7. Dave Rowley says:
    March 22, 2010 at 11:12 am

    Hi Cranky Fibro Girl, Hi Christine,

    Thanks for reading, and yes, christine, I get that too, having a break from creating art for a while and coming back to find things have shifted.

    Cheers

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