SED Artist

Colour it in

When the world turns grey, there is only one thing to do… take a pencil, or whichever medium of preference, and colour it in. Give it all that you’ve got, go crazy, mix colours that don’t mix, avoid dark colours, scribble everywhere, ignore the lines, enjoy yourself. It is not a blank canvas, and that makes it more difficult; there are challenges to overcome, things to colour over, nothing you can erase… but the biggest mistake would be to not even try. 

There are certainly adjustments to make as you begin to take part in the larger roles of society. You are suddenly immersed in a complicated world of politics and hierarchies, with a chance to vote, and a role to play. You are told you have power and responsibility to make change, and advocate for progress, in areas which have been created, broken or dismantled by previous generations; and yet, things rarely seem to change.

Politics of course, is not something that everyone enjoys, understands, nor desires to take part in, considering it is on a constant and  downwards spiral. There are times however, when it is up to us to push back against those who wish for total darkness. As humans, we are not naturally evil, and yet, with all that is highlighted in the media, it is easy to believe that that is the case. Negative news, regarding current events, social change, politics, and the environment, always seem to be at the forefront of any discussion, newspaper, and even books. I am sure, that for every generation, it feels like finally, after all this time, it is their current world which is collapsing.

As society seems to be losing its head, electing criminals as presidents, or veering off into extreme political ideologies and parties, it is crucial to remember just how colourful our world is, and can be. I suggest reading Humankind by Rutger Bregman, to remember just how inherently good we are.

It takes a strong mind to notice the positive and beautiful small things around us, which are present in our day to day lives. I think that the Arts do this very well: paintings, films, literature, poetry… these all highlight the smallest of beauties, although I would argue that it is these which are the most significant, and their ‘banality’ and constant presence, which makes them the most beautiful. It takes an even stronger mind to persevere with this positivity, and not be beaten down by the overpowering nature of the ugly and the evil. Naturally, as per survival instincts, we focus on the things that are unusual, disturb our peace, and scare us, and the mainstream media holds a specific focus on these.

As little as I know about this all, I think that to remain creative (and kind) can be hugely beneficial. Creativity can change the trajectory of progression, and break the pattern of eternal return; not everything must continue in a straight line and in a circle. We are no Ouroboros.  

As Rick Rubin says in The Creative Act: A Way of Being: “There are times during the craft when you hit a wall and the work isn’t getting any better. Before stepping away from the piece, it’s worth finding a way to break the sameness and refresh your excitement in the work, as if engaging with it for the first time.” The same goes for our engagement with the world around us. We need to re-engage with it, look at it with new eyes, imagine it all over again, as if starting new, with an excitement that matches the one of a child as it slowly discovers its own ability for creation. 

So, when the whole world turns grey, choose your medium, and colour it in, excitedly.