What the heck is an artist midwife, anyway?

All my life I've been fascinated by the creative process, my own and anyone else's. What is it that drives us to create, in whatever medium we choose? How do you go about writing a book, composing a song, choreographing a dance? And perhaps most important, how do you keep doing it again and again and again?

This blog will be an exploration of issues surrounding the birth of artists, primarily -- that is, what does it take for us to be who we are? What's involved in being (not becoming) an artist -- a working, recognized artist, in whichever field calls to you? And maybe most important -- how do we get our hands on the controls of our individual talent, so we can turn it on like flicking a switch?

I hope to have guests from time to time who can bring insight into their own lives, whether it's from the strict creative process (how I take pictures, my favorite chord progressions, etc.) or from a more "ontological" viewpoint -- the work it takes to force the Universe to align with their being as an artist. Part of that is the ubiquitous "paying your dues." Part of that is what we have to give up because -- no matter how comfortable, how rewarding, or how familiar -- it's getting in the way of our being who we are with respect to art and our art form. And part of that is introspective -- looking into the pieces of your soul that hold you back, and getting them out of the way of the part of you that is most alive, most creative, and most powerful.

Incandescent creative power -- that's what we're all about. Giving birth to the artist within, and letting it loose on an unsuspecting world. Keep it in a moment -- breathe, breathe -- hold on a bit longer -- now push as hard as you can! We'll get this baby out, don't worry.