Painters too fall into a kind of trance while painting. They connect to a world beyond the understanding of ours. This may seem absurd to us but this connection is what provides them with their supply ofinspiration and livelihood.. The inspiration needs to be derived form a source situated far beyond the mundane existence of ours.
I know a lady painter who generally talks to an invisible being. And while talking she laughs, giggles and in the end produces a wonderful painting.
In the same manner, a writer friend of mine can usually be found staring out of the window of his flat for hours and then suddenly as if possessed by a spirit he picks up his dairy and pen and starts to write sometimes ending in hours and sometimes for a few minutes. This activity seems paranormal to his family but this is how he earns his living.