Creative Ghosts – Let the right one in

I once visited an artist who commented that when she paints, she feels the “weight of Rembrandt” on her shoulder. Almost as if the old master was critiquing each brushstroke and colour choice.

Someone who had started as an aspirational role model had become a burden, making the creative act a struggle.

As creatives, we are surrounded by ‘ghosts’ - figures from the past that have the potential to haunt our studios. Be they old teachers, historical figures, or even peers, they can range from the inspiring to the terrifying.

Some ghosts aren’t even based on people, but can be just as haunting. Tradition and Received Wisdom are two common presences. And are often the most subtle and insidious.

Chances are, you’ve accumulated a few. They tend to drift about, looking for purpose, a cozy corner, and someone to listen to them. Some have been with you for years, others have only just arrived.

The important thing is to distinguish the Good Ghosts from the Bad Ghosts.

So how do you identify the ghosts that haunt your practice?

The first clue is in the whispers you hear as you work. Or even the whispers that start when you even think about starting work.

Anything that questions the value or worth of either you or your work is more than likely a bad ghost. Particularly if it’s not a constructive question.

For example:

“That’s awful. What were you thinking? Tear it up.” = Bad Ghost (a particularly nasty one).

vs.

“Well, I can see what you’re aiming for. What are the good bits? Try again focusing on what’s working.” = Good Ghost.

The ghosts of Tradition and Received Wisdom give themselves away with hard and fast ‘rules’, telling you the ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ way of doing something.

For example:

“Never use oils and acrylics on the same canvas!”

“Bronze is the only medium for true sculpture.”

“A craft is not an art, and art is not a craft.”

How to deal with a haunted practice:

Step 1: Identify your ghosts. See them for what they are - bits of history that have stuck around and gained some power and influence by virtue of being heard. The more you listen to them, the stronger they get.

Step 2: Separate the Good Ghosts from the Bad. Which ones are serving you and your practice? Which ones are getting in the way, making the work harder or limiting you?

Step 3: Feed the Good ones, starve the Bad. A ghost that is ignored will eventually give up and find someone else to haunt. To feed good ghosts, acknowledge their contribution by acting on their whispers. Any constructive, useful contribution needs to be acted on immediately.

Step 4: Let the right the one in.* Be conscious of which ghosts you invite into your practice; identify ghosts that are fun, stimulating or challenging.

*An easy way to invite a ghost is to ask “What would ______ do?” Ie. When looking at a canvas, or about to start a new project, ask “What would Tracey Emin do? “ or “What would Picasso do”? Fill in the blank with your ghost of choice (a ghost doesn’t have to be dead). Then listen for the whispers.

Step 5: Remain vigilant. Ghosts can have off days, and remember that they give us more of what we listen to. So if you’re having a great time with the ghost of Dali, and he makes an uncharacteristically judgemental comment, ignore it. Don’t feed him! Otherwise you run the risk of becoming like the artist I mentioned at the beginning. She invited Rembrandt into the studio to inspire her work as a Good Ghost, but over time she began listening to his negative comments, and now finds herself stuck with a Bad Ghost.

Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win. - Stephen King