"The Paincave?"

[insert token + press play]

The Pain Cave.) no definition within contains any real meaning or connection to what I'm reaching for. I think a better, or kind-wise, more "fitting" description can be found (of course) within someone's lyrics somewhere; in this case.. thanx, El-P [link].

If it exists anywhere it would be in the mind of an individual. An internal place/space one can dwell amongst thoughts feelings and creation... at least I'd like to think there'd be creation somewhere in there. Of course the path inward can be destructive at times - you've gotta smash down the walls of the psyche, but just as often all that's needed is a fresh coating of pathos on those same walls. I've dwelt drenched in angst sopped stooped in a cramped negative-spaces, known comfort missing in the saturday morning toon-show recollect. It's all to easy.

Once you're in there, though, I think the capacity to create is amplified somehow. It's for that reason I think artistic-types don't really shy away from this internal place, whatever the final destination psychonauts everywhere seem to either find themselves destroyed or reformed - bigger better brighter badder in the glorious fires of inspiration/creation. Yet I've seem many the creative-type who've run aground in the present; hell I've been there more times than I can count, finding myself sty·mied and lost / cast-off in the tempest. Storming the walls of Dis - hellbent on catharsis. 

..as if we could get enough..
"It reads like stereo instructions."

We'll find ourselves there at times and we don't even know it, like we arrive at the doorstep of discovery only to play a game of ding-dong-ditch at the first tinge of feeling. While other times we'll wear-out our water-wings while swimming through the æther. Suppose it's always best to ere on the side of caution least-ways when exploring the unknown, yeh?

Hunkered down at home, dug-in with the battle lines drawn.

Further Reading:

• War of Art, by Steven Pressfield. Click the link - you can download a copy of this great book in PDF format. Splendid source of inspiration to dig out of your creative-rut.
• Steve Rude: Artist in Motion, by Steve Rude and John Fleskes. Aside from all the pretty pictures this book offers hard hitting truths any artist can appreciate. Also features an introduction by Mike Baron.
• Modern Masters Series, from TwoMorrows Publishing. Wonderful series of books (also a few DVDs) which looks at the art and careers of todays greatest sequential storytellers. Each book centres on an artist w/ interviews and examples of their work. They've done quite a few now so pick one and get inspired.