Jay Jacobson
Jul 4, 20081 min
In the midst of life, I found this incredibly moving quote – which I thought I’d posted part of in a previous bog, but looking back I see I had not. It speaks eloquently about the creative process for all artists, and is something I’ve felt and even touched upon in a few blogs in the past (most notably the one titled, “Creativity”). There isn’t much more to say about it, except that I am in awe of how Ms. Graham came up with such exact and truthful words…
“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. If you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is; nor how valuable it is; nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep directly open to and aware of the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction at any time. There is only a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than others.
– Martha Graham
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