Creation and Sequential Analysis
Updates
Over halfway through the semester now, so I have a decent idea of what it's like to be a grad student (it's a lot of work). Luckily, I'm fascinated by much of what I'm learning, and can see how I can apply what I learn to my job and other interests.
Spent some more time exploring the area outside of my immediate vicinity over the past few weekends. Spending more time in the city of Boston and the smaller, more rural towns in Massachusetts makes me think about how different people's lives are, even within the same town or state. Everything in New England is so close, compared to Arizona, where you can drive 5 hours and still be in the state.
You Can't Create and Analyze at the Same Time
They're different processes. I'm not positive about the neuroscience behind this, but I'm assuming this is why trying to edit or "fix" slows us down while doing anything involved with creation. This is easier said than done, since we want to create things that are beautiful, useful, or match what we intended. Common advice when writing is to just get words down. Don't worry about what you're writing, and just vomit on the page.
I agree with this idea in theory, but there's gotta be a middle line somewhere. To me, if I know I won't keep anything I write, I just won't start writing. So I think shifting the narrative from write anything to write something you can change, is a slight change in the mindset, but might have a large effect on your ability to get things out of your mind and into the world.
Interesting Things
I saw this Monet piece (The Artist's Garden at Giverny, 1900) in person last weekend at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. This painting depicts his garden at the place he lived at the longest, and the place he lived.
"Monet undertook extensive research for his garden and planned and planted his flowerbeds with the color of his blooms and the time of their flowering foremost in his mind to produce a coherent aesthetic throughout." - Courtesy of www.claude-monet.com
There is something really beautiful that knowing this history about the art, makes it have a more profound effect on you as the viewer. You can feel Monet's passion through his work, and you gain a deeper appreciation for why he was one of the best.
As always, if you've got ideas, suggestions, or feedback, feel free to reply to this email or reach out on Twitter.
Until next time,
Z