A dream I had about George Lucas, amber and life as an artist
Amber
Years ago I was deeply involved in researching and exploring the concepts of lucid dreaming and dream work. I had some experiences that opened me to the idea of the depth of dreams and the importance of the states in between.
A few days ago on my facebook artist page I asked everyone to show me what sort of art, music or any type of creative project they were creating. I figured it would be a great way for people to share their work and hopefully be able to check out what other people are up to. It was a fantastic response. I often have people ask me after shows or sometimes in interviews about the creative process: where it comes from, what are the steps, any advice etc…
Taking the ideas and feelings of ethereal landscapes and dreamlike states and bringing them into the music have always been a focus of what I’m doing, but I’ve recently dove back into the world of trying to cultivate my dream world and integrating these experiences into the art (and hopefully more importantly into my daily life.) I woke up this morning from a dream that I felt should be shared with anyone involved in creative process in their life. Whether it’s art, music, culinary, architecture, photography, social work, counseling…any of it really. I know first hand it’s not the easiest life path. It’s filled with dynamic challenges and all the personal shadows that emerge in process stare you in the face. Of course mixed with all this are the amazing countless ways that diving into your art enlivens your experience of life.
Although of course this dream relates to my psyche and experiences right now in my own life, I picture the general idea perhaps having some relevancy to your own life.
So…
In this dream I was in a wooden library or study of some sort. Apparently I was hanging with George Lucas. No idea why. We were walking around his study looking at some of the paintings he was working on. He had a number of them lined along his walls and wanted to show me one in particular. We walked over to a work that was a mixed piece with essentially paint and chunks of amber placed in a few select spots around the canvas. Lots of deep red, brown and earth tones to the piece.
He seemed like he had been working constantly and was deeply passionate about the paintings he had been creating. He talked about how the process was great for him but also only a step towards something bigger than himself and deeper than he could understand at this time.
He said “Come look at this.”
Quickly the walls opened up and turned into a future cityscape with rails of machines moving and buildings reaching up to a green, windy and cloud covered sky. A yellow sun peaked through the clouds.
Lucas pointed towards the landscape and told me about how his art was just a stepping stone to some great change he wanted to be apart of in the world. It was clear he was concerned about the future and wondered if he was taking the right steps. Was he wasting his time? Not doing it right? Was the art just a side thing? Should he be more productive? On what? How could he even be?
With the walls still showing the future city, and some soft wind still rolling into the room, we stepped back over to the amber painting. I had a serious wave of thoughts coming to me and tried my best to translate it to him. It took me some stumbling into it but once I sat with it they came out. (Sometimes in my dreams my main guide lets me in on some info while at other times they allow me to speak as a way to make it feel more personal. Or something.) He already knew what I was saying but wanted to have me say it aloud to confirm his own thoughts but also so I would remember it.
“There is no reason to fear for the future.” I told him. “As an artist, your art is a direct reflection of where you came from, who you are, and where you are going. It’s all wrapped up into your work. Not in the sense of ‘what you put into your art is what you get out of it’, although that’s true too. More in the sense of your art being a map. Each color, each stroke, and the way you place that piece of amber onto a specific section of the canvas is a reflection of how you make decisions throughout your life. They all coincide with choices you make and events you place yourself into.”
He started to smile and I said “The future you see is already happening. There is no possible way for you to be out of sync with your timing, life path or art because its already here in front of you, showing you exactly where you are at. That specifically placed chunk of amber on that particular painting should show you that the art is already working. It’s proof within itself. There’s no point in questioning if you are doing the right thing. The art you have created is all the evidence you need and it speaks volumes. If you are wondering where to go, what to do, what the hell is happening out there…pick up your art. Look at it. Feel it. All your answers are already right there.”
Then he nodded as if to say “Thanks. You’re getting it..”
So take what you will from that, just felt like I should share. It’s a challenging path following your passion. But don’t let that stop or slow you down. It’s just an extension of your own growth. And there is no possible way that could be ‘better’ or ‘wrong’.
Best,
B
What an incredible thing to share with us . I recently have been struggling with myself on the same subject. Thank you for reiterating what i often forget.
Sending ∞ Light
Thank you…
Sounds like George Lucas incepted you.
Thanks a lot for that sharing “B”, (lol I don’t know your name sorry). It’s the first time I see something like this I think, somebody sharing on the Internet something really personnal.
Sometimes I dream of songs, then make them real, and their usually the best tunes I do.
“All your answers are already right there”, I never see it this way …thank you for that.
Best
Adrien
This reminds me so much of an experience I stumbled into recently. I’ve been doing an internship for a leather accessories designer for the past two months. Recently I’ve been feeling restless, like although I’m creating art its not my own and because of that I’m not progressing. My designer had me deliver something to a photographer friend who I met briefly before. When I arrived there we opened the package I was delivering to find some sort or artists statement. The photographer, who is very well established in the fashion world, explained the exhibit the artists statements were for to me. Feeling restless himself, he started this personal project photographing people that inspire him every day for a month straight. Then he asked each person to hand write how they would change the world in 31 days, which he would then superimpose over the portraits. It was his way of reassuring himself that he was in fact progressing toward some eventual goal, and without knowing it he helped me realise the same, that I was working toward something of my own fruition. All his portraits had this gorgeous dreamlike quality to them, and I helped him select pictures for the exhibit. He invited me to the opening which will surely be filled with inspiring creative people.
Thanks Brendan…that was really beautiful! I really enjoy what you put out there for everyone.
xoxo,
a
Thank you so much for sharing. This was definitely very relative to my life & dreams as an arist & the struggles to express ourselves as artists. Thank you very much. Hit George Lucas up with this, who knows what could stem from that.
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing, inspiring dreams!!
wow man that was…beautiful. inspiring. i’m really glad how you mentioned counseling as a creative process…you see my aspiration is to become a psychologist. i feel like i have this gift for understanding people and communicating with them, and i can imagine no better life than getting to hear people’s perspectives and helping them. i’ve been beginning to question whether or not this is the right path for it definitely isn’t the most lucrative and “productive” (in the eyes of society). but idk…reading this was assuring…helped me realize that it’s an expression of who i am and my love and there’s nothing in this world more lucrative than that. thanks again dude
That’s so strange, I’ve been bringing my inner world out in my work for some time now, but just in the last few days I’ve been starting to think about bringing it from a mass of random, almost unconnected sculptures, paintings, doodles and musings into a fully enveloping interactive representation of my inner space, after reading this, you’ve really strengthened my resolve to work on this plan, thank you so much for sharing, if your interested, I’m gonna try to document progress on my blog….
qabala anyone?
As many people have said here Brendan, I’m really grateful that you posted this. As time goes on, it feels like my dream world is moving further and further into my real world, and vice versa. Once we focus on manifesting our own realities and take responsibility for our own consciousness, the world of synchronicity and grace opens itself to us, as in a dream. In this process, I’ve been learning to trust my heart more than my head these days…very similar to what you mentioned to George Lucas. You can never be “wrong” as long as you are being yourself and trusting your intuition. We may make missteps, but that’s an essential part of the growth process.
(Also interesting to note that Lucas was expressing doubt, even as he showed you a whole world he had created! Such is the veil sometimes. I’m sure the man himself has real doubts sometimes, despite having manifested a shift in awareness and increased imagination in several generations of human beings. We could all do well to remember how beautiful we all are, despite our doubts!)
August 6th has become an incredibly challenging date for me and when you posted this, I read it with a heavy heart and exhausted mind. I just could not help but keep coming back to savor it. Unfortunately due to fear of sounding completely generic I hesitated to comment until now. You are such an amazing and cryptic person… your creation and expression is so fluid, even in your deepest sleep. I have immense respect for you, your art, and what you have to say. I haven’t the words to adequately thank you for posting something inspirational that I needed more than you could know. Please never stop doing what you do.
Gorgeous….Thank you for sharing. Good to know what your subconscious is cooking up. Beautiful adventures, vivid colors….lovely.
I’ve long had a serious interest in lucid dreaming. I’ve explored and attempted on my own, keeping countless dream journals and experimenting a lot with melatonin(which has a strong affect on my dreams), but I’ve yet to get to the place I want to be–nor even progress towards it with much zeal. Brendan: is there any form of beginners manual or solid foundation you can personally recommend to me? How about any other people reading this comment?
Brendan, and anyone else reading this, you have to see the film Waking Life. Best movie about dreaming ever made.
Hey Eskmo, this post is something I relate with, Im finding your site very cool. Futhermore, such quality writing but a musical artist is impressive, and such personal, even philosophical content in admirable. When I go online with my own site I will remember these meaningful posts as I contemplate how to approach it myself.
Deep music too.