Embrace the Mystery: The Magic of Your Creative Vision

Picture this: You’re scrolling through social media and stumble upon one of those mesmerizing videos. You know, the ones where someone starts with a bunch of random materials, and you’re left wondering, “What on Earth are they making?” It’s like watching a culinary Picasso, a woodworking wizard, or a backyard alchemist in action. You can’t look away.

You sit there, eyes wide like a kid watching their parents wrestle with Ikea furniture instructions, and think, “What’s the grand plan here?” But these creative artists are following some kind of inner vision (unlike Ikea furniture), and it’s utterly captivating.

But here’s the twist: For the longest time, it doesn’t look like anything recognizable.

It’s a chaotic dance of raw materials, and you’re left scratching your head, thinking, “What are they … I don’t get it!”

As you continue to watch, the project slowly takes shape. It could be an intricate chaise lounge, a cozy hut, or an exquisite chessboard. You’re perplexed, trying to piece it together, but it’s like deciphering a cryptic riddle.

Then, it happens—almost magically. Something shifts, and suddenly, you see it. You see the beauty unfolding before your eyes. You might think, “Oh, I can see where that’s going now,” or it could be an aha moment where the entire vision clicks into place.

Why are we talking about this today? 

The artist had a vision—a clear, vivid, and detailed vision—guiding them from the start. Even though you couldn’t see it at first, they saw it.

 And as you watched their process unfold, it gradually revealed itself like an unfolding mystery. They held that vision in their mind’s eye throughout, even as it may have morphed and transformed along the way.

Now, let’s talk about storytelling, shall we?

It’s precisely the same whether in writing, acting, or any other performance-based art form. You might not have the entire vision mapped out, but you’ve got the spark, the seed of an idea to begin. And trust me, that’s more than enough.

The journey begins with a brush stroke, a flurry of words, or a dramatic moment of day-to-day life. You start playing with colors, textures, or emotions, and then – the co-creation process begins. 

Sometimes, the path diverges, twists, and turns due to hiccups, errors, or unexpected surprises. But the key is this: Don’t let go of your vision. You hold onto it like a treasure map, leading you to creative gold.

As your creation unfolds, the vision becomes clearer, more intricate, and incredibly compelling. You can feel it, almost touch it, and that’s when the creative process becomes pure magic. It’s like sculpting a masterpiece from a raw block of marble; it’s there; you just have to reveal it.

When I write, I often start with a vague vision of something, and it’s only when I start sculpting my words that the true creative vision reveals itself. It’s a journey of discovery, much like watching those captivating videos.

Creative Core Teaching: Embrace the mystery. Have a vision, even if it’s a rough sketch, in your creativity notebook. “A vision” is infinitely better than “no vision” because it gives you a starting point, a glimmer of possibility.

Just like those artists in their mesmerizing videos, you have the power of self-expression within you. So, let your creative spirit roam free and bring your vision to life. It’s time to embark on your creative adventure.

The canvas is all yours. Paint boldly.

Joshua Townshend-Zellner