The Power of White Space | 03

“Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being excited about what could go right.”  

-Tony Robbins | author | inspirational speaker

Recently an art teacher told me that children don’t compare their art works with others until they are 9. Then most of them stop drawing.

Creating in the White Space

The creative process happens in white space, an undefined space where you can experiment freely.

No audience. No outside critics. No definitive agenda. No certainty.

Just you, your ideas, and play.

We all have those “Aha” moments when we suddenly land on a new idea we least expected - while taking a shower or doing mindless chores. We all need white space in our brain to allow our minds to dream.  

I have been drawing for years, but I still struggle. I procrastinate by doing anything else but starting a new painting - the very thing I love to do. The truth is I am afraid that the outcome won’t turn out the way I want.

Chinese Painting and Marriage

Before my husband and I got married, he randomly asked me about Chinese painting. I shared with him the process - no pencil outline on the rice paper. You form the image in your head, pick up the brush, and just go for it. If you make a mistake, you must work with the mistake and trust that you can still create something beautiful. It may just look different than what you have envisioned.

Unknowingly, this painting process gave my husband some assurance about our marriage!

White space is forgiving. It can take our mistakes. But we must have the faith to keep going and that, despite our mistakes, we can still make something beautiful in the end.

So, next time when you stare at the empty white space, do not fret. It is an invitation to create beauty and hope.