I’ve been in a strange headspace lately. I know that I’m just about to come up with something that will go viral – or straight to the top of the digital charts – or get me a billion hits on youtube – or change everyone’s view of something specific forever.
Okay, well maybe not.
But there has been a lot of searching going on in this headspace. Ever since Fi told me that I had her blessing to be the artist I wanted to be, and this being followed by a close artist friend who said to me, quite unrelated to Fi’s comment, that “I could do it all” (in that, now I had the opportunity to).
I have grasped the notion with both neurons. I can. I am being encouraged to do it. But who am I? My brain feels like a blancmange, that sweet mush of childhood meals and Python sketches.
I remember in suited days when during an interview I might be asked “ Where do you want to be in five years time?” . Now, I’ll settle for still breathing. (Only kidding.)
But funnily enough I find myself asking this question in a creative sense. What do I want to achieve with this golden period – this chance of a lifetime? What do I see emerging from this cocoon ?
One of the creative exercises appearing in Twyla Tharp’s excellent book “The Creative Habit: Learn it and use it for Life” ( a book I found raved about here on WordPress ) is this –
What would you call yourself/be your name, if you knew (and had the choice) at birth what your skills, creativity, characteristics, personality were going to be? (Not a quote.)
To put it another way, sweet baby James starts life as a curled up little ball of bawling fluid, but when he gets to be all grown up and gnarly his new name might better be Gruff B’Stard. It’s an interesting game to play and if you begin to think about it seriously, quite difficult. I am who I am with the name my parents gave me. Thankfully, my Mother broke the habit of Corneliuses. I am definitely not a Cornelius.
Strangely enough, an idea for an artist name came to me in a dream and I quite liked it. It seemed to fit with my musical ideas, too. So, I might have found my alter ego, my “nom du travail” , my “brand”.
Now I have to bring this to some reality. Produce something. I have to give the persona some substance.
Whatever springs from this will be me, my work, and if nobody likes it – oh well. I did it and it’s my exploration. Of course, approbation will be gratefully received and even warm me on cold winter nights. For now, I need to rummage around in the blancmange and see what sticks to my fingers. It’s a messy business.
(And if you didn’t get the Python reference – it’s here. Enjoy.)
singlemaltmonkey 
haha! not seen that monty python one before!! – any post with a python link is a good one.
used to like blancmange, I’m sure I wouldn’t now.
good luck
I was never sure about blancmange. It always seemed to be pink for one thing. Thanks for the good wishes. It’ll be fun no matter what happens.
How wonderful to have this moment to just do and explore and create.. I shall hang around to see what you produce 🙂
Thanks, Lynne. Hope you enjoy what you see and hear.
go for it Al…and (in theaterspeak) break a leg. continue…
Thanks, Tony.
*hands you a mojito* 🙂
How I long for a mojito in a Havana bar. 🙂
When I was thirteen, I shortened Renée to Ré because I didn’t think my name suited me. The family refused to use it, and that was fine, because I was least me at home anyway. When I met a guy almost ten years later who said Ré Harris sounded like a boxer’s name, I new it was right. Don’t ask me to explain that.
I corrupted my sister with Monty Python’s Flying Circus at an early age. References to them are rarely lost on me. Because of them I know what blancmange and wainscotting are. They might also be responsible for the parts of my writing that are more about the humor. (Whether I learned well from them or not.)
Wainscotting ! Fantastic word. It’s great that it has stuck with you.
I think Ré Harris is a great name and suits you perfectly. It sounds and looks cool and chic. I shall be launching my artistic persona in the fullness of time………but accepting payment in my real name. Hahahaa. 🙂
Very much enjoyed this post. Yes, that important question question of what do I want to achieve with this golden period – the chance of a lifetime. I’m asking myself that more and more, with no answer yet, but isn’t the exploration fun?
Thanks, Lynn. Glad you liked it and for commenting….and you are right, the exploration is fun. It’s amazing how many things you get to try for the first time. Enjoy your voyage of discovery. 🙂
Fantastic title!
🙂 Thank you.