Prominent Lebanese-American poet, philosopher, and visual artist Etel Adnan frequently uses personal anecdotes like this one to express her ideas about the creative process. She spent a large portion of her life traveling between Lebanon, France, and the United States, which had a profound impact on her art. She was born in Beirut in 1925.

In the same way that poetry captures ephemeral moments and emotions, Adnan's quote expresses her opinion that painting should be an instantaneous expression of emotion. She compares painting to visual poetry, arguing that both art forms need spontaneity and speed in order to accurately capture the essence of experience.

Consider painting as a river that flows through a landscape. According to Adnan, paint must flow freely on the canvas in order to reflect the artist's inner world, just as water must freely flow to shape the surrounding land. This flexible approach to artmaking stands in contrast to more rigid techniques and emphasizes how crucial it is to relinquish control in order to fully express oneself.

Many artists who battle perfectionism or feel overburdened by expectations can relate to her insights into the creative process. Adnan advises them to follow their instincts and paint rapidly, letting each stroke capture a genuine aspect of their feelings at that precise moment.

By sharing these intimate thoughts, Etel Adnan helps others navigate the challenges of creativity while also illuminating her own artistic philosophy. Her work is a prime example of how various artistic mediums can enhance one another and deepen our comprehension of the human condition.