That Wonderful State

“The object isn’t to make art, it’s to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable.” -Robert Henri

Home, 4.5”h x 3.75”w x 2.25”d,
Clay, Driftwood, Paint, Clay Shard, Seashell, Freshwater Pearl, Brass Bell

Being in that wonderful state makes a life worth living inevitable. Everyone has at one time, or another experienced that wonderful state - a lightness of being, the sheer joy and wonder, happiness and fulfillment of living in a creative flow of expression. Even memories of being in that wonderful state that brought forth our most inspired and creative ideas and expressions can again bring about that wonderful state. From that state, life itself, and everything we do, becomes a work of art and an act of art, whether we’re painting a canvas, baking a pie, singing a song, sweeping a floor, or building a bridge.

What is that undefinable wonderful state, and can we summon it at will? Living life is a balancing act, an ebb and flow of complimentary forces - stillness and action, up and down, joy and sorrow, light and dark and so on. We can’t always be in that wonderful state. And how would we even know we’re in it if don’t experience that non-wonderful state?

Infinite hidden seeds of creativity are buried within our inner depths waiting to sprout. Life is short. Our soul songs are waiting to be heard. Knowing which ones to water and grow is revealed when we’re still and silent. Quieting the busy mind and dissolving in the silence within makes space for that wonderful state which makes art inevitable, as well as a life worth living. Only an empty bowl can be filled up again. Only an unwonderful state can become a wonderful state again.