January 12, 2020: An Artist In Hiding?
“To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.”
-Kurt Vonnegut
I was on my way downtown to get my newest watercolor framed. A spontaneous stop into a favorite coffee shop yielded an unexpected discussion with three friends about the nature of being a creative artist. All three of these women are intelligent, lively and successful in their fields, yet they unanimously declared they “didn’t have any creativity and couldn’t even imagine what it meant to be an artist.”
The conversation inspired reflections about what it means to be a creative artist. If you limit your definition of “artist” to encompass only the visual artist i.e. painters, sculptors, you are limiting yourself to narrow fields that too often are roadblocked by our own critical judgements
“Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.”
Pablo Picasso
Behavioral scientists like Howard Gardner believe that creativity is an inborn ability. As children, our creativity flows out of us. We’re not hindered with the specters of fear of failure, judgement and perfectionism. The joy of creating, whether with crayons or elaborate make-believe is part of childhood. Keeping those buoyant feelings of both the creative process and product is something we lose along the way to adulthood. Yet if we unpack what it actually means to be creative or an artist, we need to expand our perceptions.
Definition of artist: 1a. One who professes and practices an imaginative art. 1b. : a person skilled in one of the fine arts. 2. a skilled performer 3. One who is adept at somethinghttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/artist
“We are, ourselves, creations. And we, in turn, are meant to continue creativity by being creative ourselves.”
Julia Cameron
While the definition of artist brings to mind a painter, artistry spans an array of activities that involve both creative thinking and process. Arts can be expanded from just visual arts (calligraphy, drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, etc.) to music , dance, fashion design, jewelry design and performing arts. It opens the door to include activities such as crafting, gardening, cooking, home decorating, and woodworking.
“Creativity begins with an affinity for something. It’s like falling in love.”
Howard Gardner
In thinking of my own circle of friends, their artistry shows in a variety of ways. One friend, Liz, is a culinary artist. The meals she creates are both visually appealing, healthy and delicious. Laurie has a green thumb, her gardens offer sensory delights throughout the growing season. She later creates floral pieces to decorate the home. Heather grows organic herbs and plants, and is exploring their use in both tinctures and skin products which she now sells at local shops. And Marcia loves to work with beautiful fabrics to create unique and functional pieces. Each one of these women will tell you how their love of their activity brings them a sense of fulfillment and happiness.
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use the more you have.”
Maya Angelou
Instead of labeling yourself as “not creative”, think about the activities in which you explore and implement ways to make something different or new. It could be a redesign of your living room, a handwritten note to a friend, or even a tweak to a recipe. If you are enjoying the challenge and process, you are encouraging and supporting your own gift of creativity.
“To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.”
— Kurt Vonnegut
When you redefine your own abilities, interests and talents as an artist, don’t close the door to new possibilities. What are the activities that give you back that rewarding sense of discovery and accomplishment. If you don’t have one in mind, try something new. Whether through taking classes, reading inspirational guides, watching online instructional videos, or working like Silversmith Ron did with a mentor, there is a world of opportunity out there. Once determined, find time to let your own inner artist out to play.
For inspiration, here are some thought provoking quotes on both art and creativity.
“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.”
–Mary Lou Cook
“The world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before.”
–Neil Gaiman
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
–Thomas Merton
Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.
–Scott Adams
“Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.”
–Albert Einstein
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.”
–Albert Einstein
“Creativity doesn’t wait for that perfect moment. It fashions its own perfect moments out of ordinary ones.”
-Bruce Garrabrandt
“Be brave enough to live life creatively. The creative place where no one else has ever been.”
-Alan Alda
“There’s room for everybody on the planet to be creative and conscious if you are your own person. If you’re trying to be like somebody else, then there isn’t.”
-Tori Amos
“To me creative living is any life that is guided more strongly by curiosity than fear.”
-Elizabeth Gilbert
