starting disordered

The aspiring artist may lay out all of their pencils in perfect order—sorted by color, shape, size, and cut. Everything in perfect platonic order. The cables of the studio wrapped tightly. Every book in its exact place. Each file on the hard drive perfectly sorted.

The aspiring artist organizes things this way because it’s how the professional does it. Everything in its place. Ready for action, ready for the next day, ready for the moment inspiration stops by to borrow a cup of sugar. 

But the pro’s organization is different—it’s hard won. It’s the consequence of making a mess of things time and time again, until eventually, a pattern emerged, a path forward, the appropriate kind of order.

The problem with starting out organized is you don’t yet know what organization you need. You have to let things breath—allowing the order to slip out of your hands, making a little chaos in the studio, until finally, you discover yourself enjoying the feeling of setting everything back after a long day of tearing it apart. 

Thank you. Let’s have a great day.