Introduction to Becoming Creative
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assignments 4
Here are some answers I'd like to share:
-- Are you new to creativity or experienced?
I'm experienced. My background is in IT, as a programmer, database architect and data analyst. In other words, I'm a problem solver, which requires quite a bit of creativity, most of the time.
The reason I'm posting this here is because I think it would be helpful to make a few points.
As I was reflecting on this (I will spare you the long-winded reflection and internal conversation that resulted in this exercise), I came to the conclusion that I was NOT a creative person as a child. I don't think that I would have fit in that study of highly creative children, but rather developed my own creativity later in adulthood. Perhaps it has to do with how certain people have their own way of processing information. After that self-reflection, I came to the conclusion that my creativity as a child was not properly stimulated.
For example, in 3rd grade we were given an assignment: build a musical instrument. I couldn't come up with any original way of designing and building a musical instrument. The only thing I could come up with was an empty box of Kleenex and a couple of elastics to make some sound as this very badly designed guitar.
However, I did come up with something that I was very shy to present, was scorned by my fellow classmates for, but left the teacher very impressed: I had everyone clap in their hands at different intervals to create the sounds of a crackling camp fire. Then I proceeded to have them hit their fingers together to create the sounds of rain hitting a roof.
My point is, if the assignment had been "create a new way to make sounds", which is way more abstract than "create a music instrument," my child's mind back then would have struggled a lot less to come up with that idea.
To my peers, it was a lazy solution: I hadn't done any work or built anything from my hands to get there - obviously, my poor attempts at making a guitar with a box of Kleenex didn't count for anything. But having them work for ME and my assignment, while unacceptable to them, was impressive to my teacher.
I've had an epiphany about talent and creativity since a few years ago, and my approach to my own art has changed drastically, but mainly is that I don't really care any more what my peers think about my approach - as long as what I do and how I go about it is satisfying to ME.
-- Do you have an art background?
Yes. I've been sculpting clay since 1995, although I don't earn my living as a professional artist. Being a professional artist is just my second job!
I teach the art of ceramics: sculpture, pottery, glaze making.
I received my Bachelor of Fine Art back in 2022 and really loved the experience of college education (all done online) even though I recognize that it was lacking on many aspects - which I'm working to remedy.
-- Where do you want to be more creative?
Mainly in my art process. But creativity serves all aspects of life, and I'll take all that I can get.
Strangely enough, I only recently found the "art category" of my own artwork - Creative Realism. And that alone put everything into focus for my artwork and my future projects.
DOWNLOADS
introduction-to-becoming-creative.mp4
387 MB
ASSIGNMENTS
Objective
Set up a journal and reflect on your current relationship with creativity.
Materials Needed
- Journal: Physical or digital.
- Writing tools: Pen/pencil or computer.
Instructions
- Set up your journal.
- Write about your creative journey:
- Are you new to creativity or experienced?
- Do you have an art background?
- Where do you want to be more creative?
Tips
- Be honest and open; your writing is for your eyes only.
- No right or wrong answers; focus on self-reflection.
Summary
Reflect on your creativity and get comfortable with journaling. Write as much or as little as you want.
Hi Catherine! Nice to meet you! I'm from Quebec, and I know exactly what you mean with these French expressions.
I once entertained the idea of becoming a doctor when I was a kid. It didn't happen, but I've always stayed close to the human body in my artistic endeavors. I have one foot in science and one in art - my interests are many, but when I want to solve a problem for myself, be it physical or otherwise, I will delve deep into research. Lately that was researching the intricacies of human microbiology and the workings of hormones. Well. What can I say? Believe me when I say that my interests are many. All this to say that it made me think about the medical community, scientific organizations and protocols, the College of Medicine and its ethics. And I'm glad that it didn't work out for me as I find this world very limited in its thinking, as you pointed out in your first paragraph. I like to say to the people who strongly believe in science almost as if it were a religion, that before a scientific fact became a scientific fact, chances are it used to be considered a "pseudo-science". If ever there was an analogy to be made with science and creativity, it would be this: science can be limiting where pseudo-science is its creative counterpart.
I'm very curious about human nature in general, and I find that drawing anatomy, recreating the human body on paper and then drawing people, poses and expressions, make me dig deeper into that illusive nature.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I look forward to seeing your work and sharing with you!