Jim Trelease

"Story is the vehicle we use to make sense of our lives in a world that often defies logic."

— James Trelease

American Author, Speaker, Artist

1941 -

Often the world we live in does not seem to make sense.  Sure we have scientific explanations of how the universe was made.  And we have made great strides in understanding genetics.  But in the end it is the emotional side of life that is chaotic.  People still hate and kill each other and justify it for the dumbest of reasons.  People steal from others whether at the local convenience store or at the gas pump or on Wall Street.  People take drugs to hide their pain and to avoid dealing with the emotional causes of the pain.  Even artists, musicians, actors and writers are often caught in the trap.  They pour their heart and soul into their work and have nothing left over for their families and friends.  They create beautiful works of art and leave their spouses and children crying in the dark.

One of the ways we can make sense of this wild and crazy world we inhabit is to share our stories.  By telling our stories we can impose some structure to the chaos and randomness of the world around us.  Story gives a sense of who we are and where we came from.  Story links us to our past and points the way into the future.

Alice Neel

"I thought you had to give up a lot for art, and you did.  It required complete concentration.  It also required that whatever money you had had to be put into art materials."

— Alice Neel

American Artist

1900 - 1984

The Spanish Family (1943)

What have you had to give up in order to be able to paint, or write or play music?  Our muses can be demanding — asking us to give up relationships, friendships and even family.  And sometimes our muses will drain our spirit and leave us battered and lifeless.  Art requires the artist to be faithful and loyal.   Art demands that we work hard, often with little or no respect, money or fame.  We labor on day and night hoping that one day someone will discover us.  Sometimes we hurt those we love.  We sacrifice our family on the altar of creativity.  And for what?  The hope that maybe one day someone will notice.  It takes a lot of courage to be an artist.  To be willing to sacrifice so much.  For some of us, we sacrifice our sanity or even our lives.  

And yet, I think there is another way.  We can find balance in our lives.  We don't have to sacrifice everything.  We can maintain our sanity without falling off the cliff.  Don't let the creative impulse destroy you.  Be strong.  Find a way to balance the wild and crazy spirit with the routines of daily living.  Maybe you can knit, take up yoga, play golf or simply take a walk.  Embrace the whole you, not just the creative side.  Anything taken to the extreme is destructive.

Toni Morrison

"If writing is thinking and discovery and selection and order and meaning, it is also awe and reverence and mystery and magic."

— Toni Morrison

American Novelist

1931 -

This quote from Toni Morrison captures the essence of the creative arts.  Yes, the creative arts are about finding meaning in the world around us, but the arts are also about the magic of that world.  Yes, the creative arts are about creating order in a chaotic world, but the arts are also about accepting the mystery of that world.  Yes, the creative arts are about discovering new visions of the world, but the arts are also about kneeling in reverence before the altar.  Yes, the creative arts are about thinking deeply about how the world should be, but the arts are also about the awe that we feel when the work of creation is finished.  

Are you in awe of what you created and how you created it?  Do you appreciate the mystery and magic of the experience?  Learn to honor and respect the creative gifts that you have been given.  

John Cheever

"Art is the triumph over chaos."

— John Cheever

American Novelist / Short Story Writer

1912 - 1982

Human beings are constantly looking for the meaning of life.  Why are we here?  What is our purpose for being born?  The world can appear to be very chaotic and without meaning so most of us have a philosophical or religious lens through which we view the chaos and give it meaning.  Writers, storytellers and artists use their art to find the meaning of life.  The stories we tell about ourselves help us to give shape and purpose to our lives.  The stories we express in our art help to shape our view of the world.  The stories we share are the lens through which we see the world.  Art is a way of taking control of the chaos and for a short time believing we have won.