Create even if the Sky is Falling

When I first started painting, my instructor, Curt Butler, said, "No matter what you feel, don't let that stop you from painting." I thought it a curious statement. But, soon enough, I had an argument with a family member right before I was to paint. Probably, I would have let my negative feelings stop me from painting and chosen to watch tv and pout. But instead, I went right to painting. Who knows how the painting worked out; I don't recall, but that wasn't the point. 

Yesterday, a friend and I visited artist Ed Knippers. He had a vast collection from many artists. We enjoyed seeing his collection.

One piece he owns is a small intricately painted, crude, foot stool. He picked it up to read the artist's name on the bottom of the stool, and beside his signature were the words, "There is a civil war going on outside my window right now." That made an impression on me.

Recently, I was attending an artist retreat, along with authors, singers, poets, painters, actresses, and songwriters. During one person's offering to the group, she said the opposite of war is not peace, but creativity. I don't know if it is true, but it stuck with me.

Creating is a powerful response to strife. Speaking life when death is being spoken, creating instead of destroying... 

Tell me about a time you invited creativity into the darkness.