"When embarking on each creative endeavor, I am consistently greeted by an amateur's trepidation. It's as though I have never before held a brush to canvas, never applied pigments to fabric, or never ventured into the world of art. I commence with a determined effort to pacify myself, with the lingering question of whether this time I will achieve a result that truly satisfies. However, after a few initial strokes, a profound transformation unfolds. My hand becomes an extension of my inner self, and my gaze takes on an exploratory nature. There are moments when I'm certain that the artwork I am in the process of creating is something I did not initially conceive; it appears as if it was born from a realm beyond my conscious awareness. It is in these moments that I ponder who the true creator of the artwork is and where my consciousness resides during this artistic trance.
The impetus that propels one toward the realms of art, or creativity more broadly, is a profound enigma. It invokes a sensation akin to fear, coursing through one's entire being, yet paradoxically, it holds the key to liberating oneself from that very state. Every time I enter and emerge from this creative trance, it feels as if I'm submerging into the depths, holding my breath, and basking in a profound serenity for a brief interlude. It's only when I cease to discern whether I've resurfaced or remain submerged that I regain my self-awareness. The enigma lies in whether I am returning to my conscious self or perhaps surrendering to a part of me that transcends the ordinary. The question then arises: where am I headed, and what is the origin of this journey? And, of course, the perpetual 'why.'
I could succinctly define the essence of art as the culmination of moments when such thoughts crystallize into clarity and intellectual insight. In essence, this can be regarded as an intellectual odyssey. The inexorable allure and refusal to relinquish this artistic pursuit stem from its very essence, as it transcends the realms of mere observation, offering a unique and profound experience that cannot be replicated."