Creativity lies within all of us.
When we’re sad, depressed or anxious, the “Artist” that is part of who we are can come to our assistance. Sometimes in the smallest ways; sometimes in a grand fashion.
However the Artist enters your life, try to heed the call and work with that energy.
In 1889, the great Dutch painter Van Gogh found himself in a mental asylum and suffered greatly with the pain of this experience. From the Saint-Paul Asylum, Van Gogh wrote many letters to his brother Theo. That was a way for the painter to express his feelings, frustrations and confusion.
Van Gogh also wrote Theo about how painting helped him calm his psyche. He said he had drawn over one hundred cabbages in pencil on paper, and was “now feeling much calmer.”
Every one of us has the gift of artistry in myriad ways. Perhaps it’s painting or drawing or cooking. Making jewelry or clothes; building furniture or arranging flowers.
Perhaps that creativity surfaces in ways that may not even be recognized as an art form. Much of what we do in our daily lives is more artistic than we ever realize.
On that note, I would like to personally take a moment to let the readers into the art form that i have engaged in since a child: writing music.
Over the decades, as my love of psychology grew, I worked on translating some of life’s challenges into a modern adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”
My version is called “Bob Cratchit and Mr. Tightwad.” The musical ran throughout the 2011 holiday season at Secret Rose Theatre in the Noho Arts District of Los Angeles. The cast and audiences were wonderful, with many performances sold out.
I’m like to share a couple of the video clips and songs that are part of the show: