On Philosophy, Art, and Living the Creative Life with Margarita Georgiadis

The Muses Urania and Calliope by Simon Vouet (c. 1634). Image via Wikimedia.

I've been delving into ideas about creativity, discipline and living in accordance with one's nature. Steven Pressfield and Cal Newport make no bones about the discipline required to get the creative juices flowing. Ernest Hemingway famously said that you have to leave some gas in the tank so you can keep writing the next day.

But what about someone closer to home?

Internationally acclaimed Australian artist Margarita Georgiadis lives in the village of Gunning on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. That's my home town, and for this podcast I spoke with Margarita about philosophy, art, and living the creative life.

I have a keen interest in philosophy. Yet when I speak to students and even other academics, if I ask about the particular philosophy that underpins their actions, their eyes seem to glaze over. Yet it is clear to me that philosophy underpins all good work.

Margarita Georgiadis.
Photo supplied.

I had read somewhere that when Margarita Georgiadis decided to work as an artist, she turned to philosophy first. I was keen to ask, why? What insights did philosophy provide? And, to what extent does discipline drive her creativity? What routines does she use to drive creativity, or is it more a case of waiting for inspiration? 

And what about my favourite way to get the house clean: the dreaded Procrastination (with a capital P because it is a proper noun, you know, like Beelzebub)?

Living by one's philosophy and creativity can be hard work. I often wonder if the intrinsic pay-offs are worth it? And whether the creative life is an accident, or a design based on Epictetus' idea of living in accordance with once's nature?

Margarita addresses these questions and more in this fascinating glimpse into the creative life. If you want to learn more about Margarita, her story is in the recently released book, The Best School of All.

For more information on Margarita's work, visit her website. Or if you are in Gunning, drop in to the Picture House Gallery and Bookshop and check out some of Margarita's work for yourself!

You can visit the podcast here or below: