Two weekends ago, I attended a music festival at Calvin College, where Emmy Lou Harris was interviewed and later had a concert. During the interview, she said something along the lines of: Our limitations define and create our style. Otherwise, we would just mimic everyone. She went on to say, that when she covers someone else’s song, the physical limitations of her voice don’t allow her to sing it with the same range, or textures as the original artist. And, that’s what people love about her – the style that is provided by her limitations.
That’s a deep notion, one that re-orients my concept of creativity. Or, to turn it around: The way that you are wired is your strength. This is quite freeing. I don’t have to beat myself up if I don’t see or create like some of my favorite artists. In fact, my biased view of the world, my wounds, my passions quirky and square, even the limitations of my current skills all play into a way of creating that only I can fully live into. I’m not saying, don’t work on getting better. I’m saying, getting better means that you become more of you.
