Clint Watson

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Out of Silence Comes the Greatest Creativity

8/28/2012 1:33:31 PM by Clint Watson
 

"Sometimes it’s better to just be quiet, to not think of anything at all. Out of silence comes the greatest creativity." - James Altucher.

Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, when faced with a difficult issue, was renowned for taking long walks to think things through.  

Artist, Kevin Macpherson doesn't allow people, or even a computer in his studio while he works, unless it's an emergency.

Rock star, John Mayer had to quit Twitter because, "it started to make my mind smaller and smaller and smaller. And I couldn’t write a song."

If quiet time and creativity truly are correlated (and I suspect they are), then I suggest you think about how you spend your artistic time and what distractions you can eliminate.

It's that important because the best way to sell art is to be so good they can't ignore you.

Sincerely,

Clint Watson

FASO Founder, Software Craftsman and Art Fanatic

 

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Clint:

This is perfect for me today. It validates the feelings I've been struggling with lately. Things have been pretty hectic for the past
few weeks, some of which I have brought on myself. It's true we need quiet time. The problem is how to discern what is "urgent" versus what is truly important! All this social media stuff, websites, blogs, etc., etc., is getting to me! I read all the reasons why/why not to do things, and always seem to be left confused!

Is it just ME? LOL!!!

Posted by Marsha McDonald · via faso.com · 166 months ago

Clint,
We don't have a cell phone because of the intrusion.
For years I didn't have a phone in my studio. The first ten years I was teaching Mikki to paint we kept the phone on fax mode.

Nancy Russell, Charles wife would only let him have company one morning each week. All other days the studio was off limits.

jack

Posted by jack white · via faso.com · 166 months ago

I usually have one big distraction that drowns out the others.

I put my earbuds in, turn on my music and go to town. If I don't, I wonder what the boys are doing, what are they watching on tv, what's that noise outside...

Having the music on really loudly drowns all that out and I zone in on my work at hand. Different kinds of music inspire different kinds of creativity in me.

Posted by Carrie · via faso.com · 166 months ago

This was very timely... loved John Mayer's remarks and agree. Actually all of the quotes hit home. Thanks for posting this Clint.

Posted by Barbara · via faso.com · 166 months ago

I think this is why I love plein air painting so much, especially if I am in the woods or alone some place! All of the problems of the world fall away and I can am free to simply focus on the painting in front of me....only trouble is that the time seems to fly by all too fast!

Posted by Diane Overmyer · via faso.com · 166 months ago

Love this article! Love the John Mayer quote! Bravo!

Posted by Gaye Sekula · via clintavo.com · 102 months ago

Just saw this on my Facebook timeline. I've taken FB apps off my phone and iPad so I can only access it from my PC. With social media sites being so accessible, I'm addicted to distraction and mybrain is beginning to think that's the norm.

Time to return to quiet contemplation. Lost in deep thought in my creative zone. What John Meyer said is true

Posted by Lori Woodward · via clintavo.com · 102 months ago

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