Beautiful Things Grow In The Desert

September 8, 2012 4 Comments


Now I must contradict myself; for previously I stated that the desert was barren, desolate and dry. I implied that there was no life in the desert.

I was wrong about this.

Perhaps the desert is the most beautiful place on earth.

Something beautiful does grow in the desert AND yet something also dies in the desert.

We die and we grow; and in this lies the “truth paradox” of the desert experience.

That we must die to grow, that the hard, protected, self-indulgent outer kernel of our dreams must be cracked and parched by the hot sun; before the genesis of who we truly are as artists can really begin to grow.

 

2012 Copyright Seven Sentences – The Importance Of The Desert

About GeoffTalbot: Geoff Talbot is the founder of this Creative Blog. He loves writing words that encourage creative people.

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  • Phil Rood

    You’ve been making some great points through the past week of desert metaphors Geoff. It is the struggle and the hard times that make us come out the other side as better people and artists. The hypothetical question that is always asked is “If you could go back and change one thing, what would it be?” I’ve had some shitty times in my life and faced some big obstacles as a result of making some bad decisions. But I wouldn’t change any of them. I can honestly look at that and say that I came through the bad experience and it changed me for the better. It shaped who I am.

    I think the same applies to artistic growth. Every time I struggled with getting the brush to work and make the line I wanted it to. Every time I botched the coloring on a page. Every weird and deformed looking hand I ever drew that made me want to quit drawing, has what has led to me getting better. It’s led me to work on finding pens, brushes and techniques that work for me and practicing them to make hands better and less freakish looking.

    Hard times promote growth. In life, and in art.

    Geoff, your great blogging this week has inspired me to rant like a madman. Sorry for the super-long comment, but you only have yourself to blame.

    • http://sevensentences.com/ Geoff Talbot

      Hmmm Adversity doesn’t simply grow your character… it also reveals it. Be happy in who you are and be pleased in who you are becoming

  • http://thejmolina.com/ J.Molina

    The desert is a good thing then.

    • http://sevensentences.com/ Geoff Talbot

      Yes