Reflecting on the capacities worksheet, I seem to notice a trend emerging which would indicate that my strongest capacities are rooted in the conceptual and/or "thinking" part of the creative process. Creating meaning, connecting diverse disciplines, generating multiple rich ideas, and developing a sense of purpose rank high on the list and describe the part of the process I find most thrilling. Where I seem to slump is in the doing bit. Sketching and journaling, exploring mark making systems,working off of mistakes, persevering, and generally taking action, the daily grind, so to speak, seems to be where I usually get hung up. If I can somehow power through, either because the inertia of the initial idea is powerful enough or because of the threat of deadlines and repercussions, I return again to a thinking capacity, in which I'm rather strong, in the reflecting and assessing part of the process.
In light of this overall pattern it's difficult to choose just one capacity upon which to reflect, but let that be a testament to my aptitude for synthesis and connecting diverse disciplines. According to my worldview nothing exists in isolation and the most important way to understand something is to place it in relationship to everything else. I probably find myself interested in art because it is the one discipline which isn't intrinsically self limiting. The arts encompass and bind together all of human experience. I can explore and discover anything through art as well as highlight little known or never before considered relationships through the power of metaphor. For example, the pieces I'm making in this class are meant to do more than just exemplify diverse cultural archetypes of "the witch". They also represent our relationship with nature - our own hubris and relative insecurity which fuels an obsessive desire to tame that which is inherently wild and untameable, and our conflicted fear and fascination, wonder and disgust at the powerful mysteries of the natural world and the unknown. The witch embodies this confliction. Her history is a representation of it. It's impossible for me to separate these works of art from the history, culture, and reality that surrounds them.
The capacities in which I think I could make the most progress go somewhat hand in hand. I would really like to develop consistent sketching/journaling habits and, in the process, spend some time exploring mark making systems. Some people seem naturally inclined to draw their ideas or sketch to accompany or elaborate their thoughts. For me, on the other hand, drawing is a challenge rather than something I enjoy or rely upon for communication or notation of ideas. I'm looking forward to taking Michelle Livik's class next semester and hopefully acquiring some new techniques for utilizing a visual journal and disciplining myself to stick with it.
