I am an Artist!

As time passes I am learning to embrace the creativeness that resides within me. I almost always find myself somewhat surprised when I discover a creative spark and the resulting product that arises when I allow the spark to blossom. My most creative and artistic moments over the past years have been a result of my training and involvement in Kung fu. It is the training and subsequent evolution that has helped to nourish the creativity that is a part of who I am. 

Creating my own hand form initially started with a blank canvas. I then added in an imaginary opponent to battle. My focus was intent as I put together sequences of blocks and strikes to battle my imaginary foe. Some components came together almost of their own making. As I penciled things in and erased bits and penciled in more I could feel one particular section that really embodied my inner creativity. It was a move that was based on the cross over step/hop technique that we do at the beginning of Lao Gar. I had used the footwork and adapted the rest to create my own technique. In addition to creating my own sequence of techniques, my creativity had evolved further into creating a variation of a school technique. The overall form though at that point was still in its initial stages of development, but building nicely.

The turning point for me was feedback I received 2 weeks before our beta version was due. It was that feedback that helped me to spread my wings even further. Having experienced my ability to take my training and skill and stitch it together with creativity helped me to feel the excitement of possibility. I felt motivated and empowered to think outside the box. 

All the building blocks of my training were at my disposal. I was no longer just pulling from individual techniques learned in school forms. My form evolved as a result of intent, the six harmonies, expansion and contraction, flow and phrasing to name a few. Kempo and Hung Gar styles factored in as well. For what seems like the first time I have the ability to recognize areas that can easily be adapted. A projection step added in to close or create distance, a block becomes a strike or even better, both. The base remains the same with a simple change in intent creating alternate possibilities. 

I am an artist! My creative hand form tells a story of conflict and battle. It is also an evolving story of my training as a martial artist. A culmination of knowledge, skill and creative awareness. That blank canvas is no longer blank and has now become something amazing. I am excited to continue to learn and grow as the year progresses.