Whether your gig is playing a musical instrument like my guitar genius hero, Jack White or writing a song like Lennon and McCartney, written word like Shakespeare or creating something visual like a painting or sculpture. They are all asked the same question :"where does it come from"?
My opnion, is that it all starts with a feeling. That feeling creates a spark, something that kick-starts that passion within you. Something may make you angry, jealous, sad, happy, frustrated...Its starts with that feeling.
The creativity kicks in when you display your individual method to express that feeling.
It then moves to the expressive stage, gettting that feeling "out there" by producting a piece of work that you cannot stop or delay until all those feelings are expressed in a way that makes you feel satisfied.
It needs concentration and pushing your boundaries of thought and method. But once its out there it is a huge relief. The feeling of accomplishment when it is completed they exact way you intended it to.
You've shared something with another human being. We only hope that in the process, we've made someone else feel connected to it. Making them feel like they are not alone, that someone shares their thoughts.
If you have made someone relate and agree - or disagree - the creative process has been complete.
As long as it stirs some sort of emotion that starts the entire process off again.
Yesterday I watched It Might Get Loud which is a documentary movie about three fucking awesome guitarists: Jimmy Page from Led Zeplin, Jack White from The White Stripes and The Edge from U2. This made me think of the creative process and how it manifests...