Most people are full of ideas. Creating them is a kind of muscle. If you don’t exercise this muscle because you cling onto the idea you already have, you weaken rather than strengthen it, and so gradually and imperceptibly, you diminish your capacity to produce ideas. _Michael Wolff
As part of my personal quote project which I’ll now be referring to as ‘TQP’, an acronym for ‘The Quote Project’ where I create visual piece(s) using a kind of expressive typography to denote the subject derived from inspiring words or phrases I come across.
Meanwhile, I thought I’d start the week with Michael Wolff’s quote which talks about ideas. I am wrestling a with a few ideas myself and in need of a platform to channel them.
“It is always the start that requires the greatest effort.” _James Cash Penney
“You can do it!” At least that’s what I tell myself when faced with doubts and difficulties to start and follow through with an idea or a project. My perceived obstacle, challenge or difficulty in starting and following through torments me in the beginning.
‘JUST START!!’ Screams another voice in my head.
The reward in the end usually outweighs the time invested in the negative self-talk, the doubts, and the perceived difficulties.
I was reading Gem Barton’s book last night ‘Don’t Get a Job…Make a Job’, a very inspiring book exploring case studies of a generation that have applied their own strategies to create their own practices, works , studio, agencies etc. in the ever competitive field with fewer positions for many creatives and designers. I will highly recommend this book if you seek inspiration and a strategic approach in applying yourself and craft. The array of case studies carried out by Gem Barton is very impressive.
Reading through I came across Lionel Real de Azúa quote which I thought was very true especially if you are constantly incapacitated by fear of failure and overthinking. I find the latter being a case that plagues me to be candid. I can think my ideas to death. By applying yourself, doing, trial and error begets unexpected results.
I created this artwork believing that our fortitude, our innate power to overcome adversity, fear or worry is tremendous. The power we poses within us is also limitless. If such power is harnessed and channeled the right way, just imagine the outcome… tremendous, right?!!
‘Our’ or ‘Ur’ internal Power didn’t fall from trees and it is awesome what ‘we’ or ‘you’ can achieve if a little bit of belief is added to that phrase.
I created this series of works with the notion that our capacity to learn, generate idea(s) and discovering old or new things is infinite. Think about it, we are constantly learning and finding things foreign to us or discovering things unknown or unaware of, etc.
We share our old or new found knowledge by teaching it or disseminating it as information. In these events, new ideas are formed or generated, and if put in good use, amazing things are created.
This process repeats itself, on and on it goes like a loop thus the visual metaphor which I have created using pieces of strings and a scanner.
We will never stop learning, discovering or generating ideas, sharing, teaching, etc., and the process repeats itself like an infinite loop.
A goal is not always to be reached; it often serves simply as something to aim at. _Bruce Lee
Isn’t it ironic that when a goal isn’t reached it is deemed a failure on ones own path. Although, not everyone sees it this way.
I have beat myself too many times not reaching certain goals that I had set. I look at my endeavour as a failure rather than a journey of discovery, learning and growth. I forget the progress and gains made in that process. I completely forget that some goals I had set was certainly to give me something to aim at, and definitely something to focus on.
The keyword in a goal is the phrase ‘something to aim at’. Take away our goals and we have nothing to aim at however basic that goal may seem.
I have come to the realisation that some goals take longer to achieve than others. Some are for self development and discovery, while some are just things that can take our awareness to certain areas. In all, it is just something that our awareness is aimed at.
I am practising being less harsh on myself realising that the process and progress in every goal is what counts. I wouldn’t look back at any point to evaluate my process or progress if there wasn’t something aimed at in the first place.
Be gentle on yourself if that goal isn’t yet accomplished. At least, you are driven by an aim. Take some time out to see your progress and what you have learnt in the process.
Slow progress to your goal is better than none. You still have ‘something to aim at’.
One key lesson I learnt from one of my greatest graphic design tutor Tim Foster was flipping or reversing if you may the word ‘ME’ to ‘WE’. The message was that in uniting or in collaborating with others takes us and our ideas further than we could imagine.
To add to that, there is popular African proverb that goes, “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
This principle can be applied in all works and facets of life.
Take A Moment and be thankful to those that want you to succeed.
It’s been a while since my last post. Hope you are well. Last time I uploaded a post was on 1. 1. 19., how can I forget. To be honest, I am still saying my ‘Thank YOUs’, especially for being on this platform and meeting so many amazing and talent people. Life in general have been a good teacher despite its sweet and sour combination.
I learnt so many things from reading, listening and watching some incredible video contents. A lot were motivational, inspirational and educational. I guess you see why my ‘Thank YOUs’ lingers on. Collaborating with Dr Perry on Life is an ever-changing blend of sweet and sour was truly special. I gained more friends in the community as a result.
Without wasting time, I am starting another website http://www.zedtears.com where I try to explore experimental image making to visually represent nerve pain or nerve sensations in abstract forms. It is a different kind of challenge I know, but it is truly remarkable how the nerves work if you’ve ever experienced any form of nerve issue or nerve pain. I will also attempt to explore pain in general. I have carried out a few interviews where I try to examine how people describe any form of pain condition they are going through or been through. Some of these will feature on the platform.
Pain, be it psychological, emotional, or physical is non-visual. The question is, can abstract images visualise pain? A Picture speaks a thousands words they say. One thing I can say though is that pain by its nature is abstract. People describe their pain in metaphorical or in abstract terms because they can’t physically see it but they can feel it. Let’s attempt to capture our pain in writing or other forms and express these in a form of art, how about that?!
The images that I create are visual representations and are entirely open to interpretation. You are welcome to join me as I explore the abstract world of pain.
Your thoughts and comments are highly welcomed.
Abstract image denoting the a form of nerve sensation.
Philip Abang 