Should we worry about the reliance on words when it comes to creating fresh art?

As both writer and painter, the act of putting my creative process into words is oftentimes quite helpful in solving problems. I think both with words and images sans les mots. There are some aspects of creation that are dark, murky, inexplicable and outside language. But there are many stages to image making. I can spend about a third of my time generating work, and the other two thirds editing, researching and manipulating it. During this latter phase, I often find translating it into words—whether for this blog, my personal journal or a conversation—insightful.

Maxi in sumi ink

To paraphrase Longfellow: Max had stood on that bridge and gazed on that wave and sky…. And it was then he decided to be the bridge. And thus, like magic, Max was!

Symbolic and metaphorical bridge phrases:

Build a bridge and get over it.
Never cross the bridge before you come to it.
Bridging two worlds.
But which is the stone that supports the bridge?
I like songs that have lots of different parts in them: an intro, an outro and a bridge.

Max and Papa in charcoal

A couple expressions just for art:
Good composition is like a suspension bridge – each line adds strength and takes none away.
Seek the bridge that leans from the visible to the invisible through reality.

Love is the bridge!

And my favorite because it is Max:

Go to the truth beyond the mind. Love is the bridge.

Thanks for the inspiration, Max!