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Thursday
Feb142008
Who Says Disorganization is a Sign of Creative Genius?
Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 08:48PM 
Apparently, there is some truth to this notion, although I would much rather be organized!
It seems that this has been a subject of philosophical debate. There has been an 'on and off again' controversy with creatives about whether or not your lack of organization caters to or distracts from your creativity. I just know that when I am in the throws of a project (which just so happens to be obsession over this blog right now) I am in the biggest state of disorganization there is. However, and this is a big BUT, I can't start a new project (and I usually live on 3-4 projects at a time on average) until everything is put back in its place and clean. Wow, but this image is my desk as of this week - which is a direct result of this blog! So I have a plan, I will update this blog three days a week (instead of everyday) Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. So hopefully, the next time you see my desk it will appear much more 'tidy'.So I have a question for y'all. Is 'messiness' the dress your muse finds herself in when your in the throws of creating or is your muse a polished dresser always ready for those impromptu run-ins with the paparazzi?
Update on Sunday, February 17, 2008 at 01:40PM by
Amarettogirl
Amarettogirl
O.k. so that was as long as I could go...Today is Sunday and I cannot wait until Monday to update my blog!!! So this is a follow-up/quasi-disclaimer announcing that I cannot box myself into any time frame of when it is and isn't o.k. to blog. In fact, having an excuse to write everyday even for 15 minutes is important to me and so I blog when I blog, mess or no mess.
tagged color, messy creativity, messy desk, organization in On Creativity
color, messy creativity, messy desk, organization in On Creativity
Reader Comments (9)
I don't know why but I personally cannot do anything creative until I clean the whole house, studio/office, desk, etc. Maybe that is why I don't finish things. I feel that everything has to be perfect before I can mess it all up again. Right now, for instance, I can't do anything because these sketchbooks are all sitting here looking at me. Yet, oddly enough, I have very little desire to grade them...
Oh and my significant other is known to have the cleanest, most organized office where he works. There's no hope for us!!!
(this comment was funnier the first time, but I accidentally did not post it...or maybe it was not even funny then)I have to say that I can't do anything creative until my entire desk/office/house is clean. It may be why I have alot of ideas "in the works". I have to have everything perfect so that I can mess it up again! Right now, for instance, I have all these sketchbooks sitting here looking at me, yet I have very little desire to grade them...
And my husband is known to have the cleanest office in his building. There is no hope for us!!!
Your site is just lovely and great---I look forward to the next episode.
hmmmm...good question and, by the way, I love seeing all of the stuff on your desk. I would have to say, I am generally disorganized...I do however tend to get organized before I paint,...mix colors, set things up, clean stretchers and painting surfaces and then chaos ensues. my favorite paintings are the ones that rise out of the muck and muscle to be clean and sleek and beautifully rich. Then after some reflective time it is time to clean and begin again....I think messy and disorganized to some can simply be cluttered and comfortable to many;)
Two things. 1) the art office is the best in school. By far. and your desk is much more fun to look at than any of the others. 2) I think this all comes down to making your bed. I have to have my bed perfectly made before I can sleep in it, which I guess is a little silly since it's just gunna get messed up. My brother, however, can find no reason to ever make his bed or clean his room on the logic that its jut going to get messy again.
Okay after reading that I guess it doesnt really have THAT much to do with this topic, but whatever, it relates well enough.
well i prefer things that are clean but things are messy at my house but not until i clean it up =]
Speaking for myself, I have to get "my ducks in order" before I embark in the type of work I do. If I'm hiring a model to pose for a painting, it gives me all the more reason to be organized with my approach. The last thing I need while the clock is ticking is searching for basic materials or tripping over my own stuff while I should be working. I can't work with my materials or references in disarray.
Ideally, I would like to have everything neat and tidy, but that never happens. My husband, who is an artist, lives in a constant mess of clay, sandpaper and tools. However, before he starts the next "big" project, he does a ritual cleaning ... he scrapes all the loose clay from his desk, he organizes all of his tools, and he throws away all of the scrapes of sandpaper while breaking out fresh sheets.
Messy...Like my room.
It doens't look messy to me at all, looks really tidy actually. Maybe that's in comparison to my desk where the stacks of papers are 1 feet high? ha ha ha.