Introduction
Creativity IS in you!
Every one of us has a creative spark. Each and EVERY one of us.
As kids, we colour with crayons, draw in the dirt with sticks, build forts, and use our imaginations. We create all kinds of fantastical scenes - fairy tales with dragons and monsters that we slay, we climb trees and make them mountains that we conquer, we turn cardboard boxes into racecars and semis, jet airplanes and spaceships. We build, we create, we imagine.
Somewhere along the way, on our road to 'growing up', some of us forgot that we had that creative fire within us. Someone maybe said something to us, told us that we needed to grow up, that we weren't that good, that our imaginations were silly and childish. Maybe we thought that taking an 'artist' path was not meant for us, or it wouldn't create the money or prestige we were told we needed to make our lives worthwhile.
Not true. NOT TRUE!!
'Imagination is EVERYTHING. It is the preview of life's coming attractions.'
~ Albert Einstein
Think about it this way. When learning to drive a car, ride a bike or even to write, we aren't BORN knowing how to do these things! We had to study, learn, practice, and then learn some more and practice some more! Some of us had cars break down, had accidents, some got tickets. We didn't stop driving. When someone told us we were horrible drivers, we didn't decide that we couldn't do it, that we weren't able to drive anymore! Why would we?!? We KNOW we can drive, we've practiced, it's second nature now. We can get to some destinations without even THINKING about ALL the details it takes for us to actually drive a car!
So why should you want to be more creative? Why should it matter? You've gotten this far in life perfectly fine without it, right? Well for one reason, art and creative outlets brush away the cobwebs in your mind. Studies show that Art is GOOD for your brain, that it stimulates the imagination, makes you more observant, it enhances problem-solving skills. Secondly, art boosts self-esteem and provides a sense of accomplishment. It also reduces stress. Cognitive abilities and memory, even in people with serious brain conditions, are enhanced. Finally, art therapy has been proven to help soldiers deal with PTSD, and patients to deal with traumatic events in their lives.
Art is a FANTASTIC way to be creative, but it isn't the ONLY way. Business owners can be creative in the way they run their businesses, or their dealings with clients. All of us can use creativity, inventiveness, ingenuity, innovation in ALL aspects of our lives. We only need to learn HOW to access that part of us again.
So why can't we be creative? Why can't we draw, paint, build, imagine? Because we DIDN'T PRACTICE! We gave up! Someone said we sucked! Someone said we can't sing, we can't paint, we'll hurt our fingers with the hammer! Whatever! We are going to prove them WRONG! We are going to stand up to those negative voices, those negative people, those 'I can't, 'I don't know how's'! And we're going to start NOW!
Anyone and everyone is creative, even if you think otherwise. Part of being more creative is being more observant. Noticing and noting EVERYTHING, from colours, shapes, and textures to sounds, voices, and styles of speech; from flavours, types of foods and drinks to scents, smells and odors. Expanding your horizons is easy if you are willing, open, and observant.
What I aim to do is help you regain your imagination, to reignite that tiny spark and fan it into a nice roaring fire! We are going to learn to be OK with not perfect, to be accepting of the marks we put to paper.
We will start with small, tiny steps, little marks, and practice, practice, PRACTICE.
Start collecting now; if need be start small, but at least start!
What are you going to collect? Well, I'm going to give you some suggestions. I want you to step outside the box and also come up with your own. I want you to consider ALL your senses in your collecting. Sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste, and even beyond to 'gut feeling' or intuition and imagination. An important aspect of creativity is connecting the dots. Bringing the seemingly unrelated together and creating something new. You're going to make connections and you're going to find distinctions, individuality, commonality, and personality.
I know at first you will feel awkward, unsure, uncomfortable; you may wonder why you need to do these things, or think that it has nothing to do with being creative. That couldn't be farther from the truth. Being able to connect the unconnectable (new word? not sure, but I'm using it!), and imagine the unimaginable; being creative is creating from seemingly nothing. We ALL have the capability, we sometimes just need to be reminded.
If you feel weird doing some of these things, people are looking at you strangely, or asking what you are doing,...tell them and yourself that you are conducting an experiment, doing research and development. Which you ARE! On YOURSELF! They don't need details unless you are willing to divulge them. And if you are,...well then SHARE!
In the next ten lessons, you will be collecting material to use for brainstorming future projects. Each lesson has challenges for you to complete and post. You can decide if you want to take a week for each or a month. If you are just starting out, you may want to only collect for a week, submitting work on Fridays. At the end of each lesson you will pick the material you like most, and submit it to the FB group, Pinterest board, or on Instagram. (Please include the hashtag #CalmOurCrazy so I can find your beautiful work)
By the end of this course, you will be more open and aware of all the creative inspiration that's around you. You will find that the resources you need to fan the flame of your creative fire are everywhere. All you need to do is be receptive and willing to capture those flashes.
Additionally, I have posed a BONUS CHALLENGE for each lesson. Try to use these bonuses to stretch your creativity and imagination. Step out of the box and come up with unusual ways to express yourself. Although I have included examples, don't limit yourself to that particular medium. Remember mediums come in all shapes, sizes and styles. Wood, clay, paint, pencil, plastic, photos, audio, etc., etc., etc.