Creativity : Inside the Process, Part 1
Inside the process -
Part 1
Creativity isn’t always about having a vision—it’s about discovering it.
The artist’s process is a life of its own
The creative process can be a turbulent experience—one characterized by uncertainty, emotion, and profound transformation. It’s rarely linear; at least, it isn't for me. And while it often feels unpredictable, it progresses in stages, each with its own energy, turmoil, and significance.
For some artists, creation begins with a clear vision. Their time in the studio is an exercise in execution, focused on translating an existing idea into form. My process is different. It serves as my principal tool for discovering the vision. The process itself reveals what wants to emerge.
I begin with a feeling—an impression, a color, a mood. If I’m working on a commission, I also keep the client in mind. However, I never know what a piece will become, and in fact, I don’t want to know. Nothing I could conceive at the outset could match the energy and emotion that arise in the work as it evolves.
Over the past 15 years, I’ve developed a creative process that helps me navigate and tolerate the uncertainty of creating in this way. For a long time, I didn’t think to name it. It lived within me—intuitive and experiential. Only recently have I begun to acknowledge it for what it is and feel a sense of stability amid the chaos —a feeling that I’m “right on track,” even though it may feel quite different.
This practice hasn’t just shaped my art—it’s shaped my life. As I’ve refined my creative rhythm, I’ve become more at ease with the rhythm of being human. I recognize the same stages—uncertainty, resistance, beginnings, and messy experimentation—unfolding in daily life. Trusting the process in my art has helped me meet these moments with more grace, humility, and less shame.
coping with uncertainty
Part of what led me to articulate this process in words was a need to feel less distressed in the face of uncertainty. While uncertainty is an inevitable part of both creative and personal experiences, it can still feel disorienting and uncomfortable. For me, knowing that uncertainty belongs—that it’s a natural phase within a larger rhythm—is not only grounding, but it also helps to soften the shame that creeps in when we think we “should” have answers. That we “should” already know.
When you begin something without a clear outcome, how do you respond?
Try sitting with a project or question this week without needing answers—just presence. Let it speak to you, rather than chasing clarity. And see what happens.
Stay with me—next week I’ll further explore how art and life reflect each other in surprising ways.
Welcome! I’m glad you’re here.
In my private therapy practice, I meet you exactly where you are—with compassion, curiosity, and an open mind. Together, we explore patterns, uncover new perspectives, and practice tools that support clearer communication, self-advocacy, authentic connection, and the pursuit of a life rooted in meaning, purpose, and vitality.
In addition to my clinical work, I’m also a professional artist, continually following my creativity into new forms of emotional and psychological exploration. Each discipline enriches the other, both grounded in a deep commitment to growth and expression.
Contact me to set up a free 30-minute intro call.
Email: katie@katiehathorjones.com
Website: www.katiehathorjones.com
