I have recently emerged, or rather, came out, of the artist closet.
I realize now that the material of an artist can often be the reworking of life. That is the difference between someone who is and who is not an artist. (The real difference, because anyone can be an 'artist'--is someone who undertakes the act of creating, of reforming life to express their thoughts of life and share them with others). The artist makes the things of life the material in which s/he molds the medium and expresses him/herself. All aspects of life can be and is part of the material. The process, then, can become the product (or, at least, influences the product). It does not always have to be so, but EVEN the problems of the work can become part of the work. In essence, the act of creating a solution out of the problems, whether in that artist's life or with the art itself (is there a difference?) can become the actual work of the artist. That is the greatest creativity.
Creative work, is NEW, it has never been done before, it is NEW, that is why it is called creating--You are making something new come to the world to influence, inspire and portray the opening of the possibilities that one person has undertaken. Of course, with this can come great anxiety--of the unknown, of failure, etc... but the artist understands this and even with these obstacles of self or other's doubts, perseveres, uncovering the material within which to make creative work. The work is the work, the work of the work becomes the work [of art].
Inspiration can come from not being inspired. It can come from anything. Using whatever is in the life to share and tell the story of your life is the material. You are the only one that this particular thing is happening to the way it is, based on the fact that everyone experiences situations differently. No one really knows exactly how someone else is truly experiencing something, so the job of the artist is to express this and share it with the world in a way that will communicate it. (It also has to do with permission, giving permission to others, spreading goodness). Art is about the curiosity, values and the search-[and research]- about what interests the artist. I say that choreography is like cutting my head open and dumping out the contents and arranging them in a way so others can experience, and possibly understand, what is inside of it. It is a moving, living journal entry(ies) on stage (or whatever/wherever the venue is).
An artist can rework a problem into a solution. S/he sees an opportunity to rework a problem into a solution, sees or engages with the possibilities presented by a problem. There is always an opportunity to make a different choice, see beyond the 'thing of it', see beyond the linearity of the situation, beyond the thing of it.
What I am trying to say is . . . that the artist can work with the bullshit and make it into a thing of expression.
