a huge thank you to Liz Gilbert - her inspiring TED discussion on creativity
At the TED conference in Long Beach last week, Liz Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love (a book I adored, just fyi) spoke profoundly about a new way we can approach our interaction with the elusive "creative genius" that lives inside all of us. Her words touched upon something I've wrestled with since the beginning of this crazy artistic journey of mine, when I woke up one day and realized that there were no right or wrong answers to what I was doing necessarily; that the "maddening capriciousness of the creative process,"* while certainly foreign to me at first, was as common to every artist that walked the earth as having fingernails.
I applaud Liz Gilbert for challenging us to remove the pressure that comes from nurturing a "creative genius within"* and identify the source as what it truly is - divine inspiration from a most abundant God. I've talked a lot about the idea of detachment with another artist friend of mine, letting your creation, whatever it is, live outside of your being. That way, the reaction you receive from others, be it good or bad, goes toward that creation, not the inner core of your most sensitive being. Liz expounds upon this idea in the sense that we are not to be afraid of or run from the creative inspiration that follows us because it's not up to us to manage it. (Thank God!!) It is our job to be courageous enough to just "show up,"* and be the vessel that it needs to come forth.
Oh man, I L O V E a good diva story. Well, any rock-n-roll, from rags to riches story really. Stormy Weather at the Pasadena Playhouse chronicles the life and career of the glamorous Lena Horne, and it was an absolutely dazzling production. It is running until March 1st so I won't give away too much here, but some of my favorite moments included:
- the top-notch tap dancing - the magnificent voices of the leading ladies (the show stars Ms. Leslie Uggams as the older Lena and up-and-coming actress Ms. Nikki Crawford as the young Lena), - the dazzling dresses (I want one!) - learning more about the life and times of Ms. Horne - the set design
I can definitely see this show going to Broadway. Goldstar has a few discount tickets left, but if they run out check out the Pasadena Playhouse's website for more info.
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