Creative Highs | A Masterclass on Creativity | Intro
I have lived a life of creative prolificacy. An art dealer and curator by trade, writer by experimentation and yogi by practice, I launched Creative Highs as an exploratory blog series to move closer towards understanding creativity and consciousness. I strive to be an aware human being capable of creative innovation and originality in everyday life. And in order to discover my most authentic voice then distill those thoughts and truths into my newest and best creative project, I have rely on four fundamental pillars — process, purpose, potential and peace.
First and foremost, creativity isn’t necessarily about talent ; it’s about discipline and process. It’s what renowned, motivational speak Eric Thomas calls, “Embracing the grind.” Show up. Commit. Practice. The creative process, by simple definition, is the evolution of an idea into its final form through a progression of thoughts and actions. The creative process involves critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The creative process, by action, is the construct of a system, by which order, habit, repetitiveness and unwavering commitment are implemented. For example, Ernest Hemingway’s typewriter was permanently set up on top a cluttered bookcase, where he stood and typed 6-8 hours a day. No exceptions. I have always believed that there is creative freedom in structure, and I hope Creative Highs will serve as an excavation and guide of disciplined processes — such as, time management, strategy, work ethic and goal setting rituals — to help us all bring our best and newest creative project to light.
Ernest Hemingway at his typewriter.
Second, I hope that Creative Highs will be inspiring and impactful, encouraging all of us to find (or re-engage with) our purpose — the why. It’s what my grandmother Nunnie simply called, “God’s whisper.” Oprah, the Queen of Purpose, adds, "I believe every one of us is born with a purpose. No matter who you are, what you do, or how far you think you have to go, you have been tapped by a force greater than yourself to step into your God-given calling.” The creative process — each system as unique as the personality that devises it — steers one towards expression of the authentic, and maybe dormant, truth that lies within. And if we are brave enough to engage with the process, aligning our thoughts, emotions and actions with the highest part of ourselves, we are filled with such enthusiasm and energy, we can then courageously ask “God, What do you want from me?”
Third, we all have something worthy to create. And we all can all benefit from learning how to better express our truth — and discover our potential. As Tony Robbins simply instructs, ”If you can't, you must. If you must, you can.” Nike simply suggests, “Just do it.” By dispelling the myth that great art is the purview of the chosen few, by wrangling the ghosts of unworthiness, by not dismissing inherent talent, one can advance into a creative space. Then fear and self sabotage no longer exists between you and your most expressed self. In becoming a true warrior of yourself through whatever creative process you choose, you become a force, bringing to light that artistic thing you’ve been holding so shyly for way too long.
Fourth, it is peace (or the calmness) that is required to eliminate distraction and make manifest the space to connect with self to make something. This is where yogis teach us the intricacies of the breath, scientists teach us the complexities of the central nervous system. (All to be more explored in this project.). Peace is an incubator — quiet and safe as our mother’s womb — where we start the process that brings the obscure creative project into light. If we are in a calm state, clarity rises to its mark, like a shallow river after a hard spring rain. Further, we can accept the now and rest there. We do not look back at our unwise choices or anxiously await circumstances and decisions of tomorrow. Buddha taught of peace in a practical, linear form : “peaceful minds lead to peaceful speech and peaceful actions. If the minds of living beings are at peace, the world will be at peace.” And this for me starts, always, with the breath.
J. Kevin Foltz ; Buddha ; hand-embellished gelatin silver ; 11 x 14” ; signed
Collectively, Creative Highs serves as a treatise on the human relationship with authentic artistic expression, providing a disciplined approach in order to birth the work we were born to create. A Visual Warhorse (my career spans decades), I hope to share a few things I have learned along the way. Through writings and teachings of scientists, artists, yogis and healers, perhaps this project can help us all move closer from the creative life we live — to the creative unlived life within.