The Two States of Being for the Creative Artist: A Path to Expanding Your Creative Self-Expression

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The Creative Present

Joshua Townshend

38 episodes

1 day ago

Welcome to The Creative Present. This show is about expanding your creative self-expression. And, at the same time getting your projects done. JoshuaTownshend.com We start the work by being present. Present to yourself, your process, your current creative project. The first step is always to be present, so you can do the most potent and impactful work. To do this you will want to deepen the following; yourself, your senses, your inner space, your thoughts, your feelings, and your impeccable intention. All while being present to your own creative impulse in the here and now. Working with customized techniques to help your creative development and process. You have so many skill sets that were born with and talents that are innate to you. We need to capitalize on these traits first. After that, then you can stretch yourselves as a creative. Develop more layers and facets to your work, your projects, and yourself. On a project level, the main work is about the story, because the story is always at the heart of what we do. Awareness, sense, and sensibility development is foundational. Getting in touch with who you are and where you're going is key if you wish to consciously create. These aspects of the creative process tend to be cast aside while working on projects. While side-stepping these phases can be alluring in the short-term, it will wind up costing you more in the long term. What you are working on here is a merging of the states of awareness as a creative. Along with the proper tools and techniques for the project that you're working on. This work amalgamates towards one cohesive end. Helping you to complete your projects. Then, get that project out into the world while maintaining your creative development. We all need to break old habits that are not in our best interest, creatively speaking. These old paradigms include; not completing, not starting, getting stuck halfway through, not putting our projects and ourselves out into the world. We all have a propensity towards at least one of these dynamics. We want to cultivate a new habit. This cycle of creation we are about to talk about has been around for millennia. It is a cycle that's based on the natural world, which has three distinct phases: Create, Release, Relax. We create something, we release it into the world, then relax. This cycle is in the natural world. You can see it everywhere. In the microcosm, we do it every single day, every moment of our lives, it is - breathing. When you breathe, there are the same three phases. You create a breath, you release the breath, and then you have a little moment of relaxation. Then, the next cycle repeats itself. With this kind of natural process, there is no time, there's timing, there's no force, there is a state of being. Some of the practical tools and tips are only there to serve you to get you through the next phase of development. The state of awareness and deepening your creativity is a continual development phase. There are no know limits. When deep in your creative process, you can go beyond what you are working on. You will have the ability to delve deep into your consciousness and experience the creative self in a new way. We are always working on both priorities at the same time. Consciously creating the foundational sense and sensibilities as creatives. And at the same time - getting projects completed and out into the world. They might appear to be the classic pair of opposites pulling against each other. From another perspective, they are complementary. Both aspects are asking for expansion and contraction at different times. To birth a baby you will need to have both expansion and contraction. To birth your new creative self, the pair of these opposites is essential. Key Words: alchemy, conscious creation, creative writing, screenplays, story, character development, acting, performing

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The Two States of Being for the Creative Artist: A Path to Expanding Your Creative Self-Expression | EP.027

The Creative Present

5 minutes 15 seconds

1 year ago

The Two States of Being for the Creative Artist: A Path to Expanding Your Creative Self-Expression | EP.027

Welcome to The Creative Present, a space I created to support all of us in expanding our creative self-expression while—here’s the kicker—actually getting our projects done. Yes, you can have both! I’m Joshua Townshend, your guide on this wild journey.

Now, I’ve been thinking a lot about two very different yet essential states of being that form the foundation of your creative process. If you aren’t actively working with these states of being, you could be leaving untapped creativity on the table. And that, my friends, would be a shame. So let’s dive into these two critical states and why they’re so important for your creative work.

The Two States of Being

These states of being are fundamentally different and yet interconnected. Here’s the breakdown:

State of the Artist (The “I Am” State):

This is the state where you—the creative, the artist, the writer, the performer—center yourself. It’s the “I am” state: “I am that I am.” In this state, you’re present, relaxed, and open to everything around you. This is where you cultivate spaciousness, grounding, and a heightened awareness that expands your creative potential. It’s almost like you’re standing in the middle of a 360-degree creative arena, able to pull from all dimensions, aware of all impulses, and relaxed enough to channel them effectively.

State of the Character/Project:

Then, there’s the state of the character or project you’re working on. This is an entirely separate state of being. For example, if you’re acting, the character might be experiencing deep regret and remorse. You need to be able to embody that emotion fully, exploring every nuance. This state requires focus, but it also needs you to be flexible enough to exit and enter that emotional state at will.

Think about it: you have to go from being deeply immersed in your character’s regret to suddenly stepping out of it to adjust a light or respond to a director’s note. Then, just as quickly, you jump back in.

Why Is This Important?

If you can master the ability to shift between these two states, you’ll have more freedom and depth in your creative work. You’ll trust yourself more. You’ll be able to take risks. And—here’s the best part—you’ll be able to truly collaborate with your creative team without losing the integrity of your work.

So how do you develop these two states of being?

Step 1: Cultivate the “I Am” state. Practice being present, relaxed, and expansive.

Step 2: Once you’ve established that foundation, create and explore the state of being specific to your project or character.

Step 3: Learn to move fluidly between these two states. Master the art of entering and exiting them at will. This is key to handling the unpredictability of creative work, whether you’re in rehearsals, on set, or in the studio.

How to Apply This Today

Whether you’re an actor, writer, dancer, filmmaker, or some hybrid of it all (we’ve all got a little something going on, don’t we?), these states of being are fundamental. It’s not just about the project itself; it’s about who you are when you’re creating it.

I invite you to start working with these states consciously. Reflect on your creative practice:

Key Takeaways:

The "I Am" State: Be present, relaxed, and fully open to creative impulses.

The Project/Character State: Deeply embody the emotions and experiences of your character or project.

Fluid Transitions: Master the ability to shift between these states as needed for your creative work.

Trust the Process: As you practice, your ability to navigate these states will deepen, expanding both your creative potential and your confidence.

Check out my channel where I’m currently exploring ideas like this in my series Walking Backwards in L.A.—a unique yet insightful look at creativity, movement, and perception.

Your Creative Homework:

Reflect on your “I Am” state. Are you giving yourself enough time to be present and grounded before diving into your work?

Explore the state of being of your character or project. What’s the emotional experience you need to embody?

Practice fluidly moving between these two states as you create.

Feel free to reach out with your thoughts, questions, or comments. And remember, creativity is a process—one that’s worth the deep dive.

Stay inspired,

Joshua

www.JoshuaTownshend.com

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The Creative Present