Memorable ideas take time to form

I taught literature for thirty years, and know the importance of good words, meaningful

Ram Island Light watercolor, 15 x 22 inches  click image to enlarge

phrases, and studied reflections. But too many times energy is taken from us by talking before we think, never taking the time to contemplate things, and then never doing anything to act upon our words. Words spew out in an oral version of MTV images. Memorable ideas take time to formulate… in poetry or paintings.

Words replace reality

"He who knows does not speak. He who speaks does not know." (Lao-Tzu) Words

Hillside Grove oil painting, 29 x 46 inches  click image to enlarge

are a replacement for the reality. The experience of reality is raw and immediate, unmitigated by words. Art is a language that can transcend words, and possibly convey some of the non-verbal consciousness of the artist to the viewer. This depends on the states of the viewer and the artist. As our non-verbal awareness deepens, it seems to me that it is reflected in our life and art. Have I already spoken too much?

Evaporates with each word spoken

I've found the best way to keep an idea from germinating is to talk about it with

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another person. I don't know if it's because I inevitably start feeling defensive or if it's because I start to feel a need to rationalize it or if it suddenly starts sounding petty, stupid, lame – maybe it's all of the above. More often it just feels like some of that mysterious energy "ju-ju" just sort of evaporates with each word spoken. The project has finally been done in conversation and no longer needs to be done in fact. Too much said already.

Contemplation is the root

I regularly went into retreat in order to regroup and refresh my vision. Whilst in retreat I frequently found myself creating images that I have never been able to produce in my ordinary daily life. I put this down to a heightened form of awareness brought about by the silence that surrounded me and the change in my brain patterns as my brain moved from its regular 'Alpha' to 'Beta' patterns.

Deep awareness begins in the 'Alpha' wave range that we can consciously cultivate with slow respiration, deep relaxation and silence. It's in this non-verbal state that we look deeply with concentration and true insight is possible. In this state the distinction between the observer and the observed blurs, we find harmony within, pace follows and the ability to see things differently. Contemplation is the root of awareness and creativity.

Just too busy

You must be kidding… a four-hour period in total isolation from the outside world? I am lucky to steel a few evenings or part of an afternoon to do my art. Even so I have to keep an ear pealed for the phone. I have to answer the door, stir the stew, switch the laundry. And I still manage to do my art. I think the walls would close in on me and I'd be lost if I followed your advice.

Words are needed

If a poet doesn't explain his work nobody will understand what he means. If J .W.

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von Goethe did not talk with his pen we would not know who he was, and did you not know that van Beethoven became deaf and created his most beautiful song? A blind architect can tell others his vision and every artist must express verbally his feelings and visions. My paintings are very expensive and not only through my painting technique but also through my attitude, the same as I had when I was a businessman, yacht-broker and believe me I am a wealthy man. Or is it better I die poor like Vincent van Gogh, also a great artist, what do you think?

The balanced life

I work in my workshop, on my own. On some days, I see no-one for eight hours and

Joyce's Geese quilted cotton fabrics  click image to enlarge

just get on with what I do. I do have a telephone, but it may not ring. So, I need to interact sometimes with people, and I have made peer groups, and one day a fortnight, I teach. These are essential for my mental wellbeing, but they can scatter the creative drive badly if allowed. There has to be a balance, but I can't live without Radio 4 (UK talk radio station). At the start/end of the year, I spend a week or so cleaning up and rearranging the studio. At the end of this I know exactly what materials I have, the surfaces are all ready to roll, and I have a burst of creativity which may last for 3 months. Then I hold my Spring Exhibition. "Those who dance are often thought mad by those who cannot hear the music." (Tao Te Ching)

The art of living

I practice Voluntary Mutism most every day in my Buddhist meditation practice. It is hard for me not to talk about my art because I am a big talker and my art is writing stories - I practice by talking to people - and I find it very helpful to shut up about everything for a period of every day. I don't do it for four hours though unless I am on a specific retreat. How does it affect art? All who meditate and are artists could respond to this - I know a lot of artists who are also meditators. It is a most helpful practice for their lives. And that is because a meditator of any sort - Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Atheist, Pantheist etc., learns to still her mind and the critical voice that ruins many a budding artist. When I don't practice I start to believe in things like writer's block or I despair that others are better than I and that I should just stop. My art is the way I make sense of my world and as such is a bodhisattva action - of benefit to all beings. I don't take myself so seriously. I know that art is play - joyful manipulation of the elements - a striving towards grace. Whether I am making a meal, bathing a baby or writing a play I can wake-up and enjoy myself. And that is the art of living!

"In the zone"

I 'bumped' into Buddhism a few years ago, and although not a practicing Buddhist I

Nirvana oil on paper, 19 x 23 inches  click image to enlarge

have come to truly appreciate having some control over a wandering mind, to stay in the present when working at my art. For me this silence is like a form of meditation, private thought and concentration. My mind tends to clear of all distraction and only then can I unlock the creative inside of me. When in this mindset I seem to be at my most creative, my work appears looser, more free and tells a story of a person without artistic inhibition. When others are around I tighten up, use smaller brushes, smaller strokes and less paint. I think 'blocking the mouth' is actually freeing the mind. If we can learn the discipline of keeping clutter from the mind, to really be able to focus and stay present, there is no limit to our potential, for all things appear perfect. Long distance runners call this 'being in the zone'.

Makes time for both

I've had to segregate my painting days from my social days. A year ago, I almost

Crescent Beach oil painting, 9 x 12 inches  click image to enlarge

completely stopped seeing my friends in order to produce art. I became increasingly frustrated – feeling like I was trapped by my artwork. I do also cherish time alone to think, ponder and paint, but it seems that I can't live without either one. I like your idea of voluntary mutism – it separates the quiet time from the verbal… a very good idea so that one activity doesn't eat up the other.

I also cherish my friendships and have an ongoing struggle between art production and relationship growth. Recently, after pondering much about how to fashion my time and life, I discovered that I will never be an artist that produces dozens or hundreds of paintings each year. I am not cut out for that. However, I am certainly cut out to work on 5 to 10 long-term pieces a year where I do studies and planning and then finally execute the painting. Because my "need to be with people" personality gets in the way, I've had to make time for both.

Attractive studio attracts people

I am a full time artist and have to earn the 'pennies' too. So making time, solitary

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time, quiet time is very important to me. Not only do I switch off the ringer on the telephone, the beep and volume of the answering machine, my computer and shut my studio door, I put a chair with a big sign at the entrance of my verandah saying, "Please do not disturb. I am painting. This includes You my friends. Thank you". My verandah used to have 5 entrances. I have planted it up with tropical trees and cacti so that there is only one entrance, and I can see you coming if my door is open. I have to do this as my studio is very calm and attractive, and many people come just to absorb these qualities, and then stay for hours. This is fine at times. But when I am working, I bare my fangs to anyone who disturbs me.

'Umber, umber, umber'

Two days ago, I sought the help of a spiritual counselor to begin the discipline of meditation. He spoke about how meditation through practice will help 'clean out' distracting thoughts and ideas while collecting one's knowledge. My need to be focused is paramount as I look around the studio and review my latest artworks for an upcoming show next month. 'Scattered' is the word that first comes to mind. My process to creative thought often takes time to initiate. Once the movement starts, I get absorbed for hours. My goal is to train myself to reach that plateau with focus through meditation. Applying your idea of 'voluntary mutism' may very well be the key to my objective. "Umber" kind of sounds like "ohm" don't you think?

Pattern of thought with challenged son

I have a child with Down's Syndrome and he talks in very simple sentences, if any. Most of the time we talk in symbols. In order to communicate without frustration, I have to have no expectations and not try hard to understand. There is a certain brain wave that I function under when I am around my son. It is almost as if I am in a dream and become very contemplative. It is such a different state, that when I get around other people I have to change my pattern. My son allows my brain to be very open and become very intuitive and creative. We all talk way too much and don't listen. We are so concerned with others hearing us that we fail to really be present to the moment.

20 years of social anxiety

I can't tell you how very important your letter on Selective Mutism is to me. I am 41

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years old, an artist, and for over 20 years have had social anxiety. What I did not know, was that it was common among creative people. What a relief! In the past couple of months especially, I have struggled in non-Art classes where verbal participation was required. Mostly I sit there hoping to be invisible waiting for the class to end. But just last week, I got out some colored pencils and started to draw while taking notes. It didn't help with speaking, but did provide some comfort. For all these years I have seen the anxiety and inability to speak as a terrible character flaw. I have responded in these situations with "that is why I paint because there aren't always words". I used that as an excuse rather than a truth - but maybe, it is truth.

At peace again

I was one of those children! What made it worse was that I went to 16 different

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schools and struggled with the whole social aspect. I hid in the library at lunchtimes because I didn't want to talk to anyone. I was always sick for physical education and hated working in teams. I was an A grade student within this who just wanted to be at home. I wrote reams of poetry throughout this entire period - also kept writing for a few years at my first job (in the toilet) and it helped me feel in control again. It put everything right and helped to earth me. Poetry became sculpture, which became paint! I live a very social life now and this can really de-energize me! I go bush-walking with my dogs nearly every day and the trees make me feel at peace again.

Chooses people carefully

I too was one of these children, though I only heard of Selective Mutism a couple of years ago. It is something I still struggle with at times, though to a much lesser degree. It also led to me feeling as anxious about sharing visual or written work, as much as conversation. I still drew, painted - even achieved a reasonable grade for art when I finished school. But the art I shared was tailored to what teachers or others wanted. Other work, created for myself, stayed hidden. It was so much a part of me that I could not cope with having it judged. I am now 32 and am finally getting over my anxiety about sharing my work. I find being able to talk to someone about a work or idea to be extremely beneficial at times. But I choose those people carefully.

Son with Selective Mutism

The profile of Selective Mutism fits our son to a tee (bilingualism, tactile sensitivity,

Envy photograph by Ross Jones  click image to enlarge

not speaking in public or at school, sensitivity to noise when he was younger, intelligent, artistic, etc.). For years, his lack of speaking in school and his not speaking around strangers has been an issue. It has at times been a debilitating silence. Can you image the frustration of teachers and parents when a child won't speak up in class? I didn't understand it until now because of your letter. He is now a freshman in college and is doing well, though still quiet (not silent) but I look back at what we did and didn't do and see myself in the pages I read about Selective Mutism. I remember when he was just learning to talk and his saying, "mama do it" when I would want him to ask for something. I remember the bribes to get him to speak in public from asking for an ice cream to getting "happy meals." He has learned over the years to speak out more, especially as an older teen, by letting him do shopping for items in stores and his having to do the dreaded oral reports in school but it has been a very long process.

Though still shy, his art has often been the bridge to speaking to people. Even this last semester he became good friends with a student because of a drawing he did in his graphic communications class. Hopefully your letter will allow parents to seek out help for their children when they are young and avoid some of the tremendous frustrations of their child's public silence.

(RG note) Information on Selective Mutism can be found at an excellent website: Selective Mutism and Childhood Anxiety Disorders. I particularly found the pages on adults valuable. Thank you to the many artists who wrote to report experiences with selective mutism.

Transitioning problems for teacher-artist

I teach private students in my working studio and find that is the only time I can use

Laguna Main Beach acrylic painting, 11 x 14 inches  click image to enlarge

words and not have a problem with making art, too. Perhaps I am used to teaching and creating after a couple of decades, but for many years, it was difficult to adjust being able to create and teach on the same day. I had to develop a facility to do both. Even though my studio is on a separate floor of my home, my problem now lies in returning to my family after class or working in the studio. That social context change has been very tricky. I do need to decompress, or shut down some part of me that is quite open in the creative process. My family loves me in this wide-open mode, but it takes a toll on me personally. I think it is because the flow is so open, and without the direction of the art to catch it, it dissipates, which is somehow difficult to bear. The creative flow is mysterious and wonderful, but it takes a developed self to get back to the mundane. Dinner and dishes, after all, are mundane. My studio dog, Max, is quiet, is good about retrieving my dropped pencils and such (would that he could bring a clean water bucket, too) in the studio, but he excels at going from studio dog to eating his doggie dinner after "work".