Tapping In and Turning On

About twelve years ago I was standing two feet in front of "Kid" Johnny Lang who was playing for a private party in Minneapolis.  It was amazing.  I saw this protege lose himself transcending into the music.  Consequently, everyone in the room transcended "the self" and moved into the space of music that Johnny Lang was creating.  It was a pivotal moment for me in my life as an artist.  After twenty-five years in Corporate, I was getting up my nerve to paint and be an artist.  The thought was just forming and I was beginning to understand how it worked through this experience.  Needless to say, I was effected deeply and well, the bug of creativity bit me.

Throughout the last ten years of being an artist, I have discovered how to "tap in and turn on" much like Johnny...much like any artisan.   What does this mean?  I think it's the process of being empathic.  Honing the ability to tap into energy other than the self, interpret it and then express.  I think once this technique is acquired, then tapping into the self can also be done.  To have the ability to absorb, pull inside, Interpret, and then express is rather mesmerizing.  It can be quite an intentional process or one of great abandonment.

"Me" ©1994 Studio Deeba

You know alot of people say artists are so emotional.  It's not true.  We are able to feel the emotions in the air or the way something effects us - or you - or civilization, in such a raw and visceral manner.  We are able to feel...So many people spend their lives trying to get in touch with their feelings.  I'm not only in touch with my feelings, I'm in touch with the vibe in a room, the emotions and feelings with the person next to me on the bus or the person 20 feet away who is looking at and experiencing me transcending the self and expressing art.  Everything influences me and comes through my brush.

I've often thought the talent of an artist isn't really that they can "draw" or "paint," "dance," "sculpt," "write," or "sing," but that they can be open to "tapping in and turning on."  Wether that's through the brush, the hands, the voice.  You get the idea?

The next time you experience the arts, try to trust, let go of yourself and totally get lost in the experience.  Just allow yourself to be in the moment of transcending the self.

THANK YOU JOHNNY LANG!  Check him out:http://www.last.fm/music/Jonny+Lang/+videos/+1-9gTXBfAYJfo