The Lost Art of Slow Creation
I think there is something so very special in slow art forms. When we take the time to intentionally craft something out of love and passion rather than money or attention.
When we labour over our creation with this loving energy and almost a sense of surrender to the creative flow - rather than stressful energy with a will to control creativity herself or to bend her to whatever society's idea of perfection is - for that (the latter two points) is not soulful creativity... it is forced creativity. And people can feel it.
Take houses or Airbnbs for example. When I choose Airbnbs, my number 1 factor is uniqueness and coziness factor.
Does it have character? Does it exude creative energy? Is it a 'good vibes' kinda place? Or is it so modern and perfect that it feels... sterile? That there is neither a good nor bad energy, but simply a nothingness void to it?
I've stayed in some beautiful, perfect, extravagant and expensive places.... and yet they still feel empty to me. Soul-less somehow.
And I wonder... is it because they prioritised saving time and money so much that creating a timeless piece of unique art that would essentially be priceless - didn't even cross their minds? Or do these people simply not value unique and priceless forms of slow, intentional art?
I admire the rusty orange chair out on the terrace, with its old flax woven seat that has sunk so low, it could fit a medium sized pot plant inside it. I feel the bumps, the holes and the imperfect ruggedness of the wooden kitchen-top. The cracked and scarred floor tiles that could tell stories, the white washed painted cabinets, the worn-out vintage maleta (suitcase).
All of these quirky little old things were acquired intentionally. Not because they were cheap or old - but because someone saw the value in their uniqueness. They have character. They tell stories of their own. They make you FEEL and LOOK and MARVEL at them.
You cannot help but wonder curiously at their imperfect perfection. Together, they create an atmosphere that is unique to them. And you FEEL it - as soon as you walk in. The creative energy that is embedded in each and every object is hard to miss.
Who knows how long it took to source and collect such treasures and then arranged so intentionally, that they just feel like they just belong there.
There is magic in intentionality. There is magic in slow art. There is magic in soulful creativity.
I’ve always loved the word INTENTION - and it's amazing how it keeps popping up for me in various places.
It makes me think a lot about the way I approach my web design and branding. On one side, there's this need to get it done FAST so the client isn't waiting and can launch ASAP and start bringing in the money! And of course, the faster I can create sites, the more clients I can take on, which means more financial abundance for me as well!
But on the other side, I have an internal deep desire to create a work of unique art with each and every website. To explore different avenues, to be inspired, to scour fonts and colours until I land on the one that has my body in a visceral YES.
I want to take time crafting a timeless work of art, yet I know this must be balanced with the expectations of our fast paced, modern world.
My desire is for the websites I create, to have that cozy, wondrous feeling of walking into a unique and creative Airbnb. I want people to FEEL something, to feel MOVED by my intentional designs and to feel at HOME, to feel welcomed - and an inkling to stay a long while x
Thanks for being here, for reading and for following my creative work. I'd be curious to know what you thought of my personal musing this week and if you feel the same about slow, intentional art? let me know at @arohavisuals
