"As an artist, you don't think about the parabola or the arc you're describing or where you're going to ultimately end up, you're just kind of crawling around, seeing what's out there"

Michael Nesmith’s statement highlights the instinctive, exploratory nature of the artistic process. Rather than approaching creativity with strict calculations or a predetermined destination, the artist surrenders to spontaneity and curiosity. The references to “the parabola or the arc you’re describing” evoke the concept of structure, trajectory, or narrative shape, often emphasized in the study of literature or art theory, yet disregarded in the raw act of creation. Nesmith draws attention to the contrast between the analysis of finished work and the messy, uncertain birth of that work.

The artist’s perspective dissolves the pressure to produce something with a clear endpoint in mind. Creativity becomes a form of sensory exploration, akin to “crawling around, seeing what’s out there”, a process driven by intuition, accidental discovery, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. This metaphor not only suggests vulnerability and humility but also underscores that artists often find meaning and direction retrospectively rather than prospectively. The journey through creation is likened to groping through a darkened room, fingers stretched to discern unseen shapes. As a result, the focus is on immediate experience and presence, rather than the final form or critical reception.

Nesmith’s approach affirms that growth and innovation in art arise from this willingness to explore without guaranteed results. The unplanned meander, searching, and responding spontaneously to impulses can lead to unexpected insights or beauty. While analytical thinking about structure is valuable in editing or refining a work, the initial act often depends on suspending such expectations. By relinquishing control and trusting the process, artists keep their vision supple and open to new influences. Ultimately, Nesmith encourages creatives to accept the discomfort of not knowing, and to trust that genuine expression comes from a place of fearless curiosity and constant discovery rather than a roadmap.