The Creative Process (III): Growing

Welcome to the third and final part of this exploration of The Creative Process!

In the previous articles, we’ve discussed the first two phases of the creative process: Inception & Incubation, and Birthing. Now it’s time to have a look at the final phase: Growing.

Let’s dive in:

Growing

While other organisms in nature may function differently, for us humans, being born into the world also translates to being relationally dependent. In our early life, we depend on our caregivers to survive. We need to be nourished and taken care of until we reach maturity, and we are able to take care of ourselves and also, other people.

Our physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual development depends on our genetics and our social environment. We grow every day. We are in a process of lifelong learning, of realizing one’s potential and greatness. One might say, even fulfilling one’s destiny?

In fact, the topic of human growth and development is so complex, that one could write many books about it. I’m sure there are plenty of bookshelves filled with literature about this subject in any good Library. For the purpose of this short essay, I hope that these few broad observations have sufficed.

When It Comes to Art

I feel that once the artistic expression is born into the world, it has a life of its own in some way. The Artist is just the channel through which it comes into the world. The Creation grows and expands, and reaches the places and people it needs to reach in a way that the Artist cannot really control.

There is an important distinction though, that Elizabeth Gilbert so lovely makes in her book Big Magic:

“Your creative work is not your baby; if anything, you are its baby. Everything I have ever written has brought me into being. Every project has matured me in a different way. I am who I am today precisely because of what I have made and what it has made me into.”

To give an example on how a work of Art grows within the world, let’s take JK Rowling’s Harry Potter again. After the idea for the novel came to her, it took her “mountains of notes” to finish the manuscript. She then contacted publisher after publisher after publisher who refused her. Until one accepted to publish the book. It then had tremendous growth, becoming one of the most sold and loved book series of all time. This is how a work of Art grows.

Conclusion

This being said, I hope you’ve enjoyed this 3-part Essay Series on the The Creative Process! I look forward to hearing from you about your own unique creative process. I invite you to let me know in the comments below. I’m so curious to hear how it works for you!

With Love,