If so, I’m certainly with her. But these are matters of ‘belief’. And those that see angels on pins and fairies at the bottom of the garden will tend to ascribe anything they don’t understand to mystical forces.

As to Dumbo feather : if that’s what the interviewee believes, then including it is reflecting this.

Psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi has studied “the zone” (which he calls “Flow”) in depth. And it does indeed seem to come with a deep mastery of whatever’s involved (which can be sport, science, medicine – anything, as well as ‘art’).

But there’s no evidence of any supernatural involvement (though I know that won’t stop some from believing in it), somewhat mysterious though it can seem.

As a beginner, “the zone” is a tantalising fantasy place and getting there sometimes seems impossible. The overwhelming desire to reach it however, keeps me thinking, developing and practising the techinical skills.

From my perspective as a visual artist who works mostly 3dimensionally, creativity is a really really hard slog. You have to be driven to it passionately- it’s not what I call a choice. I know some people who appear to be able to ‘wing it’ and make fabulous work in a short space of time seemingly effortlessly, but of course that’s not me! And I’m still trying to work out how they manage it!!

In my own experience, I generally work on a ‘body’ of work through which I can play out my ideas and expand on my concepts. Making work with serious intent is demanding like Jo said, and sometimes the concept is elusive to nut out and requires dedicated thinking. Usually (but not always) the making process which follows is a long and protracted one often dictated by the nature of the materials themselves and I have to bring a broad range of technical skills to that aspect of it so it can be tedious and yes, Jo, ‘boring’. The concept and technical aspects of work need to balance out or else you risk making hollow work that is technically brilliant but meaningless, or wanky stuff that’s poorly executed. Some pieces inevitably end up working better than others, but usually, the very best happen towards the end of a working session or close to an approaching deadline – like an exhibition when the ideas and the making process are finely tuned .

It is a fallacy I think (but one widely perceived to be real in the general community) to suggest that true artists work only when the inspiration hits them….maybe that is the perceived ‘zone’?? It’s certainly not my experience nor observation. And the two seconds artists spend swanning around drinking wine at exhibition openings is just a celebration of the culmination of ideas and often belies the months of hard work and tenacity that preceded it.

Most artists I know live and breathe their craft – it is a lifestyle as much as a career path and I believe that those flickers of sublime creativity that strike you when the work comes together better than you might have expected (our ‘zone’?) is why we all persist.

Personally, creativity to me is less about hard work and more about thinking…the hard work comes later. The defined moment where an idea presents itself to you is what I consider to be true creativity. One can know what they want to do or accomplish without knowing a way to achievement. But how do we find the way to achievement? Each person has a different method and it is this unique process that spurns the beginning of many creative outcomes. For me, random wanderings around town thinking, looking and actually observing what I normally take for granted each day sparks ideas. Sometimes it can take days other times it can be years of being receptive to my outside environment before I find myself in the right moment where all the jigsaw puzzle pieces fall into place.

When I find myself saying “Uh huh! That’s what I will do”, that to me is the one true creative moment. It’s an intangible and priceless experience that also delivers a burst of motivation to produce a result.

A more tangible output becomes evident through hard work once the creative spark has lit a flame within. This output then gives others the opportunity to be inspired by looking, listening, smelling or tasting. It gives them the ability to say “that’s creative”. Many times I am that ‘other’ person and without the hard work going into produce the output, as an observer I would become deprived of others creativity.

Anyway enough banter from me.

It’s been so difficult for me to pursue art-making even though it is something that i truly love because of the internal resistance and judgement that has somehow accumulated inside me as i’ve grown up. Why do i struggle so much to live a life that is “meaningful”?

I remember as a child my creative expression was totally uncensored and unrestrained and i never questioned it’s meaning or whether it was authentic or whether i had the right to dedicate my time to creative expression. These days, it’s something i have to work on. And it’s hard work!

But i’d have to say i definitely agree with Sarah’s statement that “Its a part of the rich tapestry of the entire creative process as an experience”

The creative process for me, i think, mirrors life itself: it’s messy. It can be bloody frustrating, or sometimes (dare i admit it) a little boring. But ultimately, these experiences are entirely necessary. They make the process, as a whole, very rewarding, and sometimes quite enlightening.

I’m realising now that embracing the creative process (no matter what media) perhaps holds the highest potential for learning a very valuable life lesson; it’s not perfect. It’s not ideal. And it’s certainly not all about the destination. I generally find it really hard to commit to the “less than ideal”. So commiting to a creative project from conception to completion is pretty daunting for me – but that’s what makes it so worthwhile!!!

I’m learning to embrace each moment that presents itself during the creative process and to accept the frustration, the doubt, the insecurity, the boredom, the fatigue and to not judge those experiences or try to transform them.

Being relaxed is important for creativity. I think I read in a recent Dumbo interview something described as ‘relaxed awareness’ which made sense to me. I think when you see truly inpiring performances in nearly any pursuit (visual and performing arts, sport etc), it often looks easy.

This ‘easy’ bit I think is for me the 20% at the end of all the work and preparation, when I am actually shooting. I think when I’m being really creative I’m open and free and vulnerable, ready to try anything, trusting my instincts. I think this is most likely to happen in an environment which feels essentially supportive. I work hard at trying to surround myself by people who are like minded as I find that helps.

Working with actors too I can see how vulnerable they sometimes have to be to really perform well. You are not likely to perform well if you are not relaxed and trusting. But as a director or photographer you also need to be relaxed and open in order help those in front of the camera.

I love photographing or directing artists as they can bring so much to the final result. Dancers, painters, actors. I’d include some spiritual people in that mix too like Buddhist Monks etc as they also can bring so much to the table in terms of a real entwining of ideas and energy which makes for a very exciting shoot.

I feel that one cannot exist without the other, I see it as the the YIN/YANG of the entire creative process. For an idea and inspiration to come kicking and screaming into this world involves dedication, resilience and persistence, absolutely agree with Kate.

The beauty of it however, is that it really is entirely a magical process, because I see the hard work as not hard at all. The late nights, the constant hashing and rehashing of concepts and designs… its all for a greater good, per se. I relish in the journey the hard work takes me, what do I experience? What do I feel? What I am I learning in this part of the process?

Is this ‘hard work’ not divine, like the core inspirational moment?

Its a part of the rich tapestry of the entire creative process as an experience. Each thread of divine inspriration that is met with hard work is blessed by an outcome, thus all elements are equal in weight and importance.. and purley magical.

It’s about being able to let go and really focus in the moment. I find this when I write and perform music, but also in other endeavours, like computer programming.

I find that when I slip into that moment of interaction I really zone out. Sometimes it happens quite fast (much to the amusement of my wife). That focus, and letting go of pre-conceptions and notions of being in control, is when the magic happens.

I don’t do a lot of improvising – a lot of my music comes from going over and over a piece. So the idea of “largely consistent handwork” is definitely part of it. But I find that the “handwork” simply helps guide me into a trance-like state where creativity can happen.

I find myself wanting to apologise for rambling too – perhaps that’s just the nature of the beast ;)