Capturing the essence: Reflections on creativity & finding your heart

My friend Elka Vera recently completed a series of stunning watercolor paintings. Her focus? Capturing the essence of a flower rather than its form.

The results are beautiful, as you can see.

I love the idea of focusing on the essence of a thing. It’s a concept that resonates deeply with me, especially as I’ve spent many years searching for the essence of my own work. I’m finally beginning to understand it, to connect with the heart of what I do.

The essence of a thing isn’t about its outward appearance—it’s about its core, its truth. And when it comes to creativity, the heart is always more important than the form. The form may change from day to day, but the essence remains.

Finding Your Essence

This idea of essence extends beyond art and flowers—it’s about how we approach life and our creative work. In my workshops and writings, I often encourage people to look beyond the surface, to find what truly moves them. The essence is where the magic happens, where inspiration flows and deeper meaning emerges.

What’s the essence of your work? Your passion? Your life? It’s worth taking the time to explore because when you connect with it, everything else falls into place.

Visit Elka’s Open Studio

If you’re in San Francisco, I highly recommend checking out Elka’s other artworks. She’ll be showcasing her work at an open studio event on Saturday, October 18th, at ActiveSpace #516, 3150 18th Street @ Treat. For more details, visit www.artspan.org.

Take a moment to experience the essence of her art—and maybe even find inspiration for your own journey.