“The thought manifests as the word; the word manifests as the deed; the deed develops into habit; and habit hardens into character. As the shadow follows the body, as we think, so we become.” ~ Guatama Buddha, Dhammapada

An artist enters the studio focused and ready to be amazed.

Guided by comfort in the art habit, the artist instinctively follows his muse, ready for either and both artistic breakthrough and failure.

Will the muse lead him astray? It can happen.

A painter struggles with a stack of canvasses, tubes of paints …and time. It is a romantic vision we accept. Invested in process, the artist pursues a familiar experience of discovery, joy and pride.

Music and theater, the performing arts focus on the shared intoxicating euphoria.

Art is sensual, intimate, and personal. The arts are private in the “looking” and the willingness to see things that might not be seen. Seeing is a commitment to a personal moment… a stretching exercise of self-refection.

Not unlike the physical habit of keeping in shape, the art habit reaches beyond one’s capacities, dynamically exploring the opportunity for self-learning.

It’s habit forming for both the artist and the devotee. The artist and observer are in an intimate dance. Stealing the lead, back and forth. It’s a dance, not always graceful. Each “making the time” to do our best work at living creatively.

Debra Owen