The unexpected connections of blogging: A tribute to Paul Reynard and the creative process

One of the most rewarding aspects of having a blog is the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world—individuals I’d never have the chance to meet otherwise. Last year, I shared a quote from the late artist Paul Reynard, and just a couple of weeks ago, I received a lovely email from Paul’s wife, who lives in France. She had stumbled upon my blog post while browsing the web and reached out to offer me any of Paul’s writings I might want.

Paul Reynard passed away in January 2009, and I deeply admire his thoughts on the creative process. While I wish I could read French to fully appreciate the treasures he offered, one excerpt from his work has stayed with me:

“…there is a deep necessity in man to express himself…all arts respond to the same need, the need to express something which could never be discovered in any ordinary way, something that needs to be sought for, that doesn’t come by itself…[art is our] attempt to find this possibility, which is really a hidden possibility.”

I love the line: we are seeking something…that doesn’t come by itself.

It encapsulates the mystery and the drive behind the creative process. Art, at its core, is not just about expression—it’s a journey into the unknown, a pursuit of something hidden yet essential.

This beautiful reminder of the power of creative exploration reinforces why art and writing matter so much in our lives. Creativity isn’t just about producing—it’s about uncovering something within ourselves that could never emerge in the ordinary course of life.